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Nyla
PeaFixture
PeaNut 144,412
April 2004
Posts: 3,789
Layouts: 0
 |  Posted: 12/6/2012 1:12:15 PM
I was raised by a single mom who worked 2 crappy jobs to keep a roof over our heads so almost everything I have now is a splurge compared to what I had as a kid. But one thing I really appreciate is HEAT in my house. We had heat growing up but my mom was a MISER with the furnace. I usually slept in a sweat suit plus flannel night gown, socks, mittens & hat & LOTS of blankets. Now I crank that sucker up as high as I want & LOVE it!
Also...REAL butter!  | |
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PierKiss
What if everything is an illusion & nothing exists
PeaNut 82,319
April 2003
Posts: 14,486
Layouts: 39
 | Posted: 12/6/2012 1:13:15 PM
Movies. Oh my God, I freaking love buying movies. My parents only bought like 4-5 movies total growing up. We had a VCR and later a DVD player, but they would never ever buy us movies we asked for. They said we could rent anything we wanted (1x/week-ish), but that they didn't understand why we would want to watch the same movie over and over again.
My brother also has an obsession with buying movies. His collection is much greater than mine. 
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mapchic
Top Tier Pea
PeaNut 31,157
February 2002
Posts: 12,230
Layouts: 55
Loc: Chicagoland
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gmcwife1
SamFan
PeaNut 33,625
March 2002
Posts: 8,104
Layouts: 0
Loc: Washington State
| Posted: 12/6/2012 1:28:19 PM
Pants that aren't floods
Fresh fruits and veggies, there were 6 of us and 4 kids can go through a lot of fruit so we didn't get it often.
Eating out.
~ Dori ~
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MontanaCowgirl
TaWanDa Riot!
PeaNut 298,090
February 2007
Posts: 7,194
Layouts: 50
Loc: Big Sky Country
 | Posted: 12/6/2012 1:32:34 PM
Milk and garbage bags. During the 70's there were no such things as garbage bags, at least not in our house.
One of my jobs was to line the garbage bin with newspaper after I had washed and dried it out. I hated, hated, hated that job. We also had iced tea every night for dinner and had koolaid for lunch, the only you got milk, was for breakfast.
I'll never be without garbage bags or milk again, my two boys would go through a gallon of milk every two days. It's still their favorite drink. |
Stephi
"people generally see what they look for,
and hear what they listen for.
-To Kill a Mockingbird-
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~KimPea~
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 197,450
March 2005
Posts: 2,186
Layouts: 0
Loc: tangled in Freeney's spin move
 | Posted: 12/6/2012 1:35:26 PM
Like a PP said--Everything!
My kids will never have to have their hot dogs or hamburgers on mushy white bread because buns are too expensive like I did. 
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| Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please. Mark Twain | |
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crimsoncat05
PeaFixture
PeaNut 273,602
August 2006
Posts: 3,341
Layouts: 99
Loc: Phoenix, AZ area
| Posted: 12/6/2012 1:39:22 PM
oh, I forgot! I don't consciously think about it as a 'splurge' but it definitely is:
Our television, surround sound, DVR, DVD/blu ray player, etc. Growing up, we only ever had a 19-inch television with basic cable. (That's all they STILL have, actually, with a VCR that neither of them know how to use.)
We now have a 64-inch television, 6-speaker surround sound, high-def cable package, DVD/blue-ray player, etc. and we LOVE it!! We both love watching movies and television, and we LOVE having a really good system on which to do it. |
"Accepting anything without question is the antithesis of critical thinking and education. ~wren*walk, 8/20/12"
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beaucat
BucketHead
PeaNut 180,877
December 2004
Posts: 834
Layouts: 97
| Posted: 12/6/2012 1:40:09 PM
Vacations.
The yearly vacation was going to see relatives. We got to got for a long weekend to Six Flags once or twice.
I'd never been to Disney until I went to Orlando for a work conference.
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Lilyloams
PeaFixture
PeaNut 286,882
December 2006
Posts: 3,664
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 12/6/2012 1:47:52 PM
I can honestly say....nothing. Our family was not rich...dad worked in a machine shop and mom worked in the church office. But we NEVER wanted for anything and I cannot think of one single thing that I splurge on now because I didn't have it then.... | |
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lespea
I Typo & I don't care
PeaNut 270,444
July 2006
Posts: 10,995
Layouts: 54
Loc: Here.
| Posted: 12/6/2012 1:53:02 PM
Vacations and quality family time days. We weren't poor, we just didn't vacation much. In my entire childhood we went on vacation about 4 times.
As an adult with my family do mini-vaycay days when ever we can all year long. We take a vacation at the end of the Summer every year. |
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pinkabella
PeaAddict
PeaNut 486,481
October 2010
Posts: 1,036
Layouts: 5
Loc: SF Bay Area, CA
 | Posted: 12/6/2012 1:56:30 PM
OP your initial post has me cracking up! Just the picture of someone running around putting tape on EVeryThing...hahhaha Too funny!
I tend to splurge on a bunch of things this way. Home decor stuff is one area. Our house growing up was pretty bare and I always admired well-decorated homes, especially ones that were seasonally themed. Also, special occasion clothes is another one. I feel like it's such a luxury to be able to buy myself or my girls an outfit for a special occasion. Hmm, I guess I just like being able to "mark the season", as that was something I didn't really experience growing up. | |
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peapermint
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 9,321
January 2001
Posts: 8,646
Layouts: 0
Loc: all up in your business
 | Posted: 12/6/2012 1:59:22 PM
I was raised by a single mom who worked 2 crappy jobs to keep a roof over our heads so almost everything I have now is a splurge compared to what I had as a kid. But one thing I really appreciate is HEAT in my house. We had heat growing up but my mom was a MISER with the furnace. I usually slept in a sweat suit plus flannel night gown, socks, mittens & hat & LOTS of blankets. Now I crank that sucker up as high as I want & LOVE it!
This made me think of something! Water! I know it's totally environmentally wasteful, but I pretty much use as much water as I want. When I was a kid, I had to use my mom's old, cold bathwater and now I take as many hot baths as I want, when I want. LOVE my baths. | |
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peapermint
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 9,321
January 2001
Posts: 8,646
Layouts: 0
Loc: all up in your business
| Posted: 12/6/2012 2:02:32 PM
Random: anyone remember powdered milk? I think my mom (single teen parent) may have gotten it from the commodity program or something, but it was a generic version of the Carnation powdered milk and it was watery and gritty.
I will NEVER drink powdered milk again and processed cheese reminds me of "government cheese."
My mom fed me on $50 a month and I never went hungry, so kudos to her and her garden and shopping skills. | |
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azredhead34
peaintheheat
PeaNut 2,698
February 2000
Posts: 27,140
Layouts: 272
Loc: Mesa, Arizona
 | Posted: 12/6/2012 2:14:21 PM
Going out to eat, Toilet paper! 2 ply! I don't buy generic brand toilet paper. We always had 1 ply or the cheap stuff growing up. My dad always said toilet paper is toilet paper be happy to have it. I buy the biggest package I can find! LOL! |
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theshyone
I'm Alive!
PeaNut 266,636
June 2006
Posts: 10,215
Layouts: 37
Loc: Alberta
| Posted: 12/6/2012 3:07:40 PM
Blankets; I never was warm as a kid; blankets I did have always had holes in them. Now I have a "thing" for blankets quilts throws. But as soon as a hole appears it gets donated. |
Canon XTI
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My Blog
My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we'll change the world. Jack Layton
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dalayney
Shut the PEA UP! Yer gettin me all twitterpaited!
PeaNut 123,471
January 2004
Posts: 16,407
Layouts: 165
Loc: Husker by Heart in WI
| Posted: 12/6/2012 3:11:11 PM
It still pulls my heartstrings to this day to see my kids wandering eyes in the crowd and see thier face completely light up when the see me or dh. I clearly remember doing the same as a little girl and the slight sadness I'd feel when I couldn't find my mom or dad in the crowd.
Ok, this has me in tears.  You poor thing. That breaks my heart. Especially since tonight is my 6yr old's christmas concert and he does the exact same thing... scans the audience and then YELLS a big loud "MOM! DAD! There you are!!!!"
I better not cry now at my son's concert girl!  | |
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mikklynn
PeaAddict
PeaNut 294,285
January 2007
Posts: 1,629
Layouts: 1
Loc: Minnesota
| Posted: 12/6/2012 3:15:42 PM
I splurge on hiring things done.
When I was growing up, my dad would fix, build, "do" everything and never without a lot of yelling and anger.
Now I pay a plumber, electrician, appliance repairman happily. It took years before I would let DH fix anything. He taught me it can be done without drama! |
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MontanaCowgirl
TaWanDa Riot!
PeaNut 298,090
February 2007
Posts: 7,194
Layouts: 50
Loc: Big Sky Country
| Posted: 12/6/2012 3:27:35 PM
anyone remember powdered milk? I think my mom (single teen parent) may have gotten it from the commodity program or something, but it was a generic version of the Carnation powdered milk and it was watery and gritty.
Yes! My mom used to wait until nighttime to make and mix in the powdered milk into the cartons when they were half full. If she forgot to do it at night she'd be busted because everyone knew what happened if they had foamy, warm and gritty milk for breakfast. My poor mother was always trying to make what little household money we had go farther.
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Stephi
"people generally see what they look for,
and hear what they listen for.
-To Kill a Mockingbird-
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2boysandwill
My turn to hit the PEAnata!!!
PeaNut 121,208
December 2003
Posts: 13,134
Layouts: 71
Loc: SCV, CA
| Posted: 12/6/2012 3:28:45 PM
I better not cry now at my son's concert girl!
No! No tears!! Just enjoy the moment!!  My 3yo DD has her recital on the 15th and I too 'promised' not to cry!!  | |
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Momo4
Will I ever get to Buckethead?!
PeaNut 433,880
August 2009
Posts: 402
Layouts: 0
Loc: NW Ohio
 | Posted: 12/6/2012 3:31:45 PM
Good bread. Never had soft bread growing up and now I insist on it even though DH thinks I'm crazy. | |
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VanC
PeaFixture
PeaNut 82,273
April 2003
Posts: 3,409
Layouts: 9
Loc: Out and About
| Posted: 12/6/2012 3:42:05 PM
Store bought underwear!! My mom made all ours, and as soon as I turned 13 or 14 and started babysitting and earning money on my own I bought all my own. I will never forget how humiliated I felt in Jr high Gym class with my homemade panties. My brothers got BVD's and Hanes briefs but we girls got mom made and they weren't always cotton knit or even tricot and most times the leg elastic was wonky.
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"It's ALL just paper......'til you add adhesive, a little love and some pixie dust."
LLTTF&JB
VanC
****I wish you Love, it's All you need. I wish you Laughter, and hope you find Joy in the journey. I wish you Tickles, because you can't tickle someone without touching them and forming a connection. I wish you Teases, because everyone needs a little humour to get them through the rough spots. I wish you Frogs, because there are NO Frogs just Handsome Princes & Beautiful Princesses who don't know who they are, everyone needs someone to love them in spite of themselves warts and all. Finally I wish you Jelly Beans because life's sweetest moments can come in all sorts of colours and flavours.****
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reneelcla
BucketHead
PeaNut 278,786
October 2006
Posts: 709
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 12/6/2012 3:53:50 PM
Orange Juice. My step-father would limit the amount of OJ we could have. We could only drink it in the morning in the tiny juice glasses.
As soon as I left I bought lots of OJ and drink it at night with dinner in a big glass LOL!
But, looking back, I'm glad he limited the amount of Juice we drank (we mostly drank water, milk and lemonade made with real lemons, no kool-aid, no soda) knowing what I know now about drinking a lot juice and soda and the connection to being overweight.
But back then, I thought he was just a meany.
Renee | |
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IleneTell
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 434,842
August 2009
Posts: 2,427
Layouts: 651
| Posted: 12/6/2012 3:54:50 PM
Pretty much everything. For multiple reasons, my parents had to be very frugal (plus my mom is osmewhat cheap by nature), so anything I spend money on that is not an absolute life necessity (other than vacations) would be considered a splurge. | |
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swim mom
BucketHead
PeaNut 226,253
October 2005
Posts: 946
Layouts: 0
 | Posted: 12/6/2012 3:55:51 PM
Juice. Especially orange and grape juice. Growing up, we were only allowed to have juice in these tiny juice glasses. Yup, there were juice glasses and they had orange slices decorating them, so you could tell. They held very little. I wanted a large glass of juice at breakfast, but no, not possible . Juice is only served in the specific juice glasses, and it was only a few swallows. I wanted juice at other times of the day. No way. Juice was only allowed at breakfast, not for lunch or snack or at dinner. I told my mother that it made no sense because there were no real juice rules. She condescendingly told me I would think differently when I grew up. Nope! I moved out of the house and promptly started drinking juice out of regular glasses, any time of the day I chose. Still do.
Chicken. We seldom ever had chicken, and it is one of my favorite foods. When my mother served chicken, it was always shake and bake chicken legs. I liked white meat better, but a leg was better than nothing. So once I moved out, I started eating chicken most nights. I still seldom serve red meat.
Clothes. I am no fashion diva and I don't own a lot of clothes, but as a child, I got a new skirt or pair of pants and a couple shirts in August for school, and that was it. I usually had to wear one outfit two days and another for three to school. I dreamed of having enough clothes to wear a different outfit every day of the week, except maybe wearing the same pants a few times. I remember the first time I owned two pair of jeans at the same time. It felt quite decadent! I always made sure that my dc had enough clothes so they didn't need to wear the same outfit repeatedly the same week. I don't go for expensive brands, but my dc have always been appropriately dressed and had enough shirts for each day and weather. | |
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Josie*R
BucketHead
PeaNut 93,702
July 2003
Posts: 745
Layouts: 50
Loc: Chicago
| Posted: 12/6/2012 3:57:39 PM
going to the movies - we rarely went unless it was to the $1 theater
vacations - we took a couple of "road trips" in the car - 18 plus hours
i have fond memories of them and i know how hard my parents worked but i want to try to give more experiences to my kids
i cannot wait to take them everywhere and of disneyworld
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My Blog: http://asimpleeverydaylife.blogspot.com/
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PennyPaws
PeaAddict
PeaNut 551,978
April 2012
Posts: 1,533
Layouts: 61
Loc: Canada
 | Posted: 12/6/2012 4:11:34 PM
I love this thread! I have so much in common with you guys (Scotch tape - brand name too, thick tp, chicken breasts, juice) but my biggest splurge is heat! When it's cold - I turn up the thermostat!!! I feel like a reckless heiress cranking it up to 70 degrees when it's -25 outside I guess I could also say air conditioning and cable, but I'm still not sure that those are budget things for them - I think that they just don't "trust" them |
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lotsokids
BucketHead
PeaNut 308,963
April 2007
Posts: 958
Layouts: 0
Loc: Lovin Life in CA
| Posted: 12/6/2012 4:22:17 PM
FLY-I never had flown in a plane till I was married. We drove everywhere as a kid, on all our vacations. As an adult, I hate to drive!!! We will get on a plane, with our family of 7, without blinking an eye at the cost, because that was something I never did as a kid. | |
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sweetshabbyroses
BucketHead
PeaNut 223,139
September 2005
Posts: 770
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 12/6/2012 4:26:24 PM
A birthday party. I always wanted a birthday party with all my friends and balloons and a cake and games but I never had one. You can bet my children had a birthday party, sometimes a big one with 20 or 30 kids and other times birthday parties at the bowling alley or swimming etc. Oh, and a picnic, I always wanted to do picnics and cookouts but my Mom and Dad wouldn't. We cookout all the time now and I still love it!! | |
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sweetshabbyroses
BucketHead
PeaNut 223,139
September 2005
Posts: 770
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 12/6/2012 4:28:22 PM
And homecooked meals, especially fried chicken (probably why I have a weight problem now, LOL). My mom was a nurse, she worked every day and got home late. I HONESTLY remember that my favorite meal growing up was a Swanson frozen dinner. The one with in an aluminum pan that you heated in the oven. My favorite was the one with English peas, fried chicken and mashed potatos. | |
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OSUBuckeyeFan
When does football season start?
PeaNut 182,623
December 2004
Posts: 6,475
Layouts: 0
Loc: USA
| Posted: 12/6/2012 4:30:48 PM
I grew up poor too, similar to Free Bird's upbringing. And yes, for us even McDonalds was a rare treat! My mom too was also a bargain shopper and made sure we had an awesome Christmas every year. I tend to splurge more on things for myself. I know my Mom went without while we were growing up. I'm also blessed in that I don't have to do that so I treat myself nicely. It's probably also the reason I only had one child. |
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TexasScrap
PeaAddict
PeaNut 27,295
January 2002
Posts: 1,239
Layouts: 7
| Posted: 12/6/2012 4:47:11 PM
Interesting thread. I think I splurge on being more involved and intentional with my kids. I also think creating traditions and a more relaxed environment. Grew up in an authoritarian household which always felt like walking on egg shells.
Even Christmas was uptight.
And, yes, I have bought my kids toys I wanted like a sit and spin and never got.
My parents did well financially but it did not equate to a more happy experience although I did have plenty of material things.
My DH grew up with the generic brand of toys/clothes, so I know for him it's nice that we have more freedom to buy what we want for the kids.
Oh, one may thing. I was a picky eater and always caught grief for it as a kid. As an adult I feel no guilt when I order what I want. | |
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theshyone
I'm Alive!
PeaNut 266,636
June 2006
Posts: 10,215
Layouts: 37
Loc: Alberta
| Posted: 12/6/2012 5:12:32 PM
I have to laugh at the chicken references. I HATE chicken.
I had to clean the coops; gather the eggs; I had to cut the heads off; I had to pluck them; wet them keep plucking; wet feathers ewwww. Then we had chicken for a meal; then we had chicken for leftovers; to this day I detest the smell of reheated chicken; then there was the boiling of the carcus . Then for days and days and days chicken soup.
Detest it!!!!!!!!!!! |
Canon XTI
EFS 18-55 mm
EF 50 mm 1.8
EF 75-300 mm 1:4-5.6
My Blog
My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we'll change the world. Jack Layton
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Ms. GreenGenes
PeaFixture
PeaNut 140,500
April 2004
Posts: 3,697
Layouts: 44
Loc: Just this side of crazy!
| Posted: 12/6/2012 5:32:30 PM
Ohhhh, yes, powdered milk. Processed gov't-issued cheese. (We got Grandma's, cuz even she had standards and wouldn't touch it!) and did anyone else "snack" on raw hotdogs?
And OHHHHH, homemade underwear!!! YES! I never dreamed anyone else lived through the horrors of those things like I did!!!
The bad news is, my mother is an excellent seamstress. She has great skills. But she has HORRIBLE taste in patterns and colors!!!
Picture it: the Junior High locker room.
Everyone standing around in their tidy whities (this is the old days, pre-VS) and new bras, and there, off in the corner stands a little girl in her sisters old, ratty training bra, and her...what??? What *IS* that she's wearing???
Those would be her homemade panties, with lovely, bold, patriotic red, white and blue eagles all over them!
Two unfortunate pair. They wore like iron, and lasted years longer than I could ever have imagined.
That's when I started begging for jobs and saving money to buy my own clothes. |
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frostybuns
PeaFixture
PeaNut 13,660
April 2001
Posts: 3,172
Layouts: 5
Loc: PNW
| Posted: 12/6/2012 5:56:42 PM
Vacations. I did not go without much as a child but my dad started a business when I was 10 and after that we hardly ever went on vacations as a family. My older sisters traveled with my parents a lot but my younger brother and I got caught in the "new business no money" trap and then it was "more money but can't leave the business" trap. It makes me sad. My parents were always sending us on school trips and stuff so I have been all over the place but not with my parents. We take at least 1 just-our-family vacation every year. I want my kiddos to have great memories with me. |
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shescrafty2
PeaFixture
PeaNut 178,427
November 2004
Posts: 3,358
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 12/6/2012 5:59:08 PM
Name brand clothes and sneakers for my kids. I always had the off brand (no Jordache for me-I remember I had "Calabas", LOL).
Same with sneakers. I remember how badly I wanted light blueNike sneakers with a royal blue swoosh. And I had to get the ones from Sears instead! My son wears sneakers and runs around all the time, so I do get him the shoes he wants.
Also if there is something my kids really want for Christmas they get it. No "almost" toys for them. They can ask Sanat for one specific thing and it is pretty much a guarantee they will get it (within reason). |
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your true character is shown not by how you treat people you agree with, but how you treat those you don't
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slicksister
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 115,093
November 2003
Posts: 2,702
Layouts: 60
Loc: NorCal wine country
| Posted: 12/6/2012 6:19:58 PM
Three main things for me:
Dish soap - no dishwasher at my house except me and my mom bought the store brand really thin pink or yellow stuff that was so abrasive to my hands and had no bubbles. For years I only bought Palmolive (remember those "Madge" commercials?)or Ivory Liquid. I still only buy really good dish soap.
Kleenex and toilet paper - my mom never bought Kleenex. She had really bad allergies but always carried a roll of toilet paper around with her and stuffed the used squares in the tube. GAG me!! I inherited her allergies but I buy nothing but the Kleenex with lotion in it. Along the same vein is TP. Ours growing up was like sandpaper. For years I only bought Charmin. Now I buy a less expensive but still soft brand.
Butter - my mom only used margarine and I decided long ago I'd rather have the fat from butter than the chemicals from margarine.
Am I allowed one more?... leftovers. Hate them. I just can't make myself eat most of them.
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| "One of the reasons I never had children is because I loathe children. They are as over rated as chicken soup." Harry Corn Harry's Law | |
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WinoGirl
PeaAddict
PeaNut 511,446
June 2011
Posts: 1,196
Layouts: 0
Loc: Saint Louis
| Posted: 12/6/2012 6:22:36 PM
FLY-I never had flown in a plane till I was married. We drove everywhere as a kid, on all our vacations. As an adult, I hate to drive!!!
Same here!
We grew up middle class and I don't remember wanting for much.
Except my mom always bought canned vegetables. I didn't know vegetables could even taste good as a kid. I would eat corn and it was okay, but one time we went to a friend's bbq party and I had grilled corn-on-the-cob. Wow...corn can actually be yummy!
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scrap-up
PeaNut
PeaNut 16,299
June 2001
Posts: 272
Layouts: 2
Loc: Milwaukee, WI
| Posted: 12/6/2012 6:31:45 PM
Traveling in vacation by PLANE. We drove everywhere. Our annual vacation was to Northern Maine to visit family - driving all the way from Wisconsin. My dad would take his two week vacation and half of it was time spent in the car.
This was also the only vacations we ever took. I have great memories and really wouldn't trade the experience, but oh how I longed to go to Disney, or the ocean, or anywhere other than the place where everyone but us spoke French.
My first airplane ride was on our honeymoon to Mexico. My first trip to Disney (andUniversal Orlando) was after we were married 6 years (oldest dd was 4).
Now we go on annual vacations and FLY. We have been alternating a big vacation with a less expensive trip every other year. In 2010 and in 2012 we did go to Northern Maine to visit. My husband androids had never been there. It is as far North and East in the states that you can get, on of the four corners. We had a great time. The great part was that we FLEW most of the way, instead of being in the car for two-plus days. I am sure that the experience was that much better for DH and kids because of the travel. It was their favorite vacation, so we went back two years later. This ay become the less expensive every other year trip.
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Julie
Mom to a Peanut, a Slugger, and a Boo. | |
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SDeven
Love Letters Pea
PeaNut 65,852
January 2003
Posts: 28,313
Layouts: 380
Loc: Nashville, TN!
| Posted: 12/6/2012 6:36:34 PM
Jeans. For me and for my sons. My father thought girls shouldn't wear jeans so I rarely had more than 1 pair and I was tortured over my clothing all thru school.
My sons are very well-dressed. |
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megmc
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 497,090
January 2011
Posts: 5,115
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 12/6/2012 6:41:47 PM
staying in nice motels.
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wippea
PeaNut
PeaNut 564,948
August 2012
Posts: 44
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 12/6/2012 6:42:54 PM
The holidays. My parents were Jewish and we did celebrate Hanukkah, but really no tradition, meals or special events. They were not really religious. Just lit the candles and had gifts each night. It was fun, but they pretty much stopped when I was about 12 years old. After that age they would let me choose one nice gift which I received it on the first night and that was it, no further festivities. This was not due to finances, just their age and perspective. They were older when they had me and I think they just did not have the energy.
Do not get me wrong, I did have a great childhood and wonderful parents, but I missed not having holiday traditions.
So now I have fun. Do not celebrate Hanukkah or Christmas for religious reasons - but just kind of keep a festive environment. We have established our own traditions on Christmas day since it is holiday time off of work. We go over the top with wish lists, surprises, exchange tons of gifts and eat holiday food with friends. Been doing this for 20 years now and look forward to it every year.
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gmcwife1
SamFan
PeaNut 33,625
March 2002
Posts: 8,104
Layouts: 0
Loc: Washington State
| Posted: 12/6/2012 6:57:19 PM
Tissues. Not exactly a "splurge" item but we had to use toilet paper to blow our noses.
I was just coming back to post tissues too Tissues were too expensive and fancy!
~ Dori ~
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Shih Tzu Mommy
Million dollar camera, 10 dollar lock!
PeaNut 224,352
September 2005
Posts: 23,527
Layouts: 0
Loc: Right here
| Posted: 12/6/2012 7:28:16 PM
Silky underwear. My mother thought it was only worn by women with loose morals. So I was raised in cotton granny panties. Now I spend a lot on nice panties and the majority of them are silky. |
Dog people are a special breed! | |
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Rebelyelle
PeaFixture
PeaNut 371,860
April 2008
Posts: 3,411
Layouts: 10
Loc: Arlington, VA
 | Posted: 12/6/2012 7:37:15 PM
Good, high-end food. I was raised on hot dogs, mac and cheese and pasta when I was younger. Part of this choice is a lifestyle choice, but a huge part is never indulging in food as a child. In retrospect, I realize that choice was completely budget driven for both my and DH's parents. I honestly thought that Red Lobster was "fine dining" as it was such a treat to go there
DH and I aren't loaded, but we spend well above and beyond what I would consider "average" on groceries every week. I buy expensive butter and cheeses, grass fed meats and pastured eggs. We buy gourmet chocolate, micro-brew beers and higher-end wines. For birthdays and special celebrations we dine at high-end celebrity chef restaurants. On the flip side, 50% of our wardrobes come from Goodwill. Great food is definitely the thing in our lives we've chosen to be super-indulgent with. |
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alyca
PeaNut
PeaNut 184,967
January 2005
Posts: 173
Layouts: 28
Loc: Seattle
| Posted: 12/6/2012 7:37:15 PM
I was raised by a disabled single mom, and there were four of us kids....we got by with help from family, church, and child support, but it was tight tight tight.
I buy butter. REAL butter. We always had this horrible discount margarine growing up, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas, when we got real butter. I swore I would always use real butter as an adult, and I do.
Also--pants. We got our clothing second hand or from cheapie stores, and I am tall. They don't have long length jeans readily available, so after I was about 15 or so I wore shorts to school everysingle day rather than the extreme highwaters I would be stuck with otherwise. Dead of winter, there I am walking through the snow to school in shorts and a sweater. Sucked. I buy long length jeans now. | |
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**JoJam**
Peace Out Girl Scout
PeaNut 80,420
April 2003
Posts: 9,863
Layouts: 75
Loc: monitoring lucy
| Posted: 12/6/2012 7:40:43 PM
Good produce. My mom only bought red delicious apples in a big bag. To this day, I think the reason I say I don't like apples is because in my mind, an apple is a soft 'red delicious' apple. |
ttfnjoanna
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"Like what you do, do what you like."--Life is Good
"I've made some empty promises in my life. That was by far the most generous." Micheal Scott. | |
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kissmevodka
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 130,936
February 2004
Posts: 2,953
Layouts: 35
Loc: Canberra, Australia
| Posted: 12/6/2012 9:57:00 PM
What an interesting topic of discussion! 
I recently had my mum stay for a month and asked her if she'd like smoked salmon and brie on her roll. She made a comment that she can't have that. When I asked why, she replied it was too expensive! I gave it to her anyway, as I always have smoked salmon and brie in my fridge! She has always had this mentality of class difference - "we 'can't' eat that because we aren't rich". 
Thankfully, I no longer live 'blue collar budget' and splurge on what I was brought up to believe 'rich people's food', lol. Smoked salmon, brie, organic beef butt fillet, organic lamb, etc. If I can afford it, then it's obtainable. I'm still working towards Beluga Caviar!
My other splurge is in my craft room. I rarely look at prices if I want something scrappy/crafty. It's definitely an indulgence! |
"And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."
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BuckeyeSandy
Old Dogs are Best!
PeaNut 92,987
June 2003
Posts: 22,467
Layouts: 364
Loc: With my dogs
| Posted: 12/6/2012 10:06:47 PM
Was a teen during the 1970s and dad worked for Chevy. It got pretty lean some of those years, I will only buy "name brands" on many items and only use REAL butter.
"A full pantry is a thing of beauty" to me as well. We were never "food insecure" but came close a few times. |
Sandy
Every MOM is a working mom!
"Retired" after 22 years of an Air Force Career
REMEMBER this Veterans Day
To quote Wayne Gretzky, "You miss 100% of the shots you never take."
Aesculus | |
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TravelAgent
Resident Smart Ass
PeaNut 294,429
January 2007
Posts: 12,688
Layouts: 7
Loc: Indiana
| Posted: 12/6/2012 10:06:53 PM
Pop-Tarts.
Julie |
| www.indianapolisonthecheap.com | |
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gryroagain
PeaAddict
PeaNut 463,630
April 2010
Posts: 1,377
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 12/6/2012 10:11:16 PM
Clothes! And hair.
My dad got very sick and couldn't work when I was in 7th grade- and they had just sold our small starter home, bought a nicer big house, mom was working since all of us were in school...it was very bad. We ended up losing the house. I was in jr high and clothes were so important, but there was just no money. Everyone was school shopping and I felt it so acutely! So now I dress my kids in "cool" stuff, and take them to get highlights, etc. The funny thing is we home school, and niether one could care less- I practically have to force my oldest into the chair for a haircut, and her brand name clothes are meaningless! but it still is important to me that they look nice and have what the other kids do...even if I lucked out and they could care less!
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