The hidden luxuries we spend on

amother

OP ↓

Wed, Dec 25 2024, 3:16 pm

Ruminating about this as I’m sitting in my uber on the way back from spending 2400 at the dentist.
Tickles me that when we think luxury spending we think designer handbags not teeth.
What are some hidden luxuries you spend on that people don’t see?

amother

Ruby

Wed, Dec 25 2024, 3:17 pm

amother OP wrote:

All I can think of is ouch
Sorry Hiding

amother

DarkKhaki

Wed, Dec 25 2024, 3:18 pm

I would only call dental work luxury if it was cosmetic. Otherwise I'd call it a hidden expense.

I spend on out of network medical care. Costs a lot.

amother

Petunia ↓

Wed, Dec 25 2024, 3:18 pm

I spend about 14k on therapy a year. To me it’s an absolute necessity.
I spend $6500 on cleaning help a year.

We drive cars from 2005 so we are always having repairs to do. I don’t know amounts but it seems every few months we pay $500

I spend maybe $200 on vitamins a month.

We just painted part of our house for the first time in 8 years and it cost 3k

amother

Apricot

Wed, Dec 25 2024, 3:19 pm

I think luxuries and expense are different. 24000 is a huge expense, that doesn't mean it's a luxury. cleaning out our pipes was a huge expense but having water back up in to our house is not acceptable, I don't view that as a luxury.
my husband commented that he spends his fun money on his hobby while I spend mine on therapy and vitamins - I clarified that I'm not spending on those things for the fun of it... (to clarify yes I do spend more then him)

I think people would be surprised to know how much I spend because for the outside I look very low maintenance...

Ruchel ↓

Wed, Dec 25 2024, 3:20 pm

Getting your teeth done isn't luxury unless it's cosmetic. Some say contact lenses.

amother

↑ Petunia

Wed, Dec 25 2024, 3:21 pm

Ruchel wrote:

Getting your teeth done isn't luxury unless it's cosmetic. Some say contact lenses.

I think filling cavities and wearing lenses if you like that look are equal level of necessity. To give up on either when that’s how you feel “yourself” would be heartbreaking.

amother

Dodgerblue ↓

Wed, Dec 25 2024, 3:27 pm

amother Petunia wrote:

Well, this year my therapy bill will be around 50k. Yes, it's not a luxury. It's a must for my survival. I thank every day hashem for my therapy.

↑ Ruchel

Wed, Dec 25 2024, 3:29 pm

amother Petunia wrote:

I think filling cavities and wearing lenses if you like that look are equal level of necessity. To give up on either when that’s how you feel “yourself” would be heartbreaking.

maybe we could make a parallel, filling with the the black thing or the new white one.
Of course what matters is treating teeth, and seeing. But yes to me it's important to like my looks. But it'd a luxury to some /those who don't have social security

amother

Steel

Wed, Dec 25 2024, 3:29 pm

Ruchel wrote:

Getting your teeth done isn't luxury unless it's cosmetic. Some say contact lenses.

It's a luxury if the alternative is to just pull the tooth. It's a necessary luxury to me.

shabbatiscoming

Wed, Dec 25 2024, 3:30 pm

amother OP wrote:

How is any dentist visit a luxury? I would say that its something needed. No?
Hidden LARGE expenses is very different than luxuries. A dentist visit is NOT a luxury.

amother

↑ OP ↓

Wed, Dec 25 2024, 4:11 pm

It was partially cosmetic but the type that was extremely obvious and needed

Trademark ↓

Wed, Dec 25 2024, 4:26 pm

amother OP wrote:

It was partially cosmetic but the type that was extremely obvious and needed

Still not a luxury.

Unless we define a luxury anything that is not a life or death situation. Sometimes it seems like on this site it's defined like that.

If so then here's my list of hidden luxuries.

Washing machines - wash your clothes in the river

Running water - use an outhouse

Any food besides bread and water

More than two outfits - you need two to wear one while you wash the other

amother

Chartreuse

Wed, Dec 25 2024, 6:03 pm

When I was little I had orthodontic treatment. Technically cosmetic but I wouldn't be able to chew without it. My teeth were all over the place, double rows of teeth at one point because big teeth weren't lined up under baby teeth...
That isn't a luxury.
Teeth whitening is. Maybe orthodontics for slight gaps or to perfect teeth would be.

Filling in Cavities aren't a luxury.

Therapy isn't for some people. For some it is.

There is a huge difference between bare necessity and luxury.
Name brands? More than 1 coat? New when old works just "isnt nice"- Luxury.
Following fashion trends are a luxury. Having basic clothes that fit are not.

Imateacher

Wed, Dec 25 2024, 6:08 pm

amother Dodgerblue wrote:

Well, this year my therapy bill will be around 50k. Yes, it's not a luxury. It's a must for my survival. I thank every day hashem for my therapy.

How much is your therapy weekly?

amother

Pistachio

Wed, Dec 25 2024, 7:14 pm

amother Petunia wrote:

I think filling cavities and wearing lenses if you like that look are equal level of necessity. To give up on either when that’s how you feel “yourself” would be heartbreaking.

Not being able to wear contact lenses is heartbreaking?

amother

Bellflower ↓

Wed, Dec 25 2024, 7:19 pm

amother Watermelon wrote:

Teeth
Car repairs
Other medical expenses

These are not luxuries. They may cost a lot of money but they are not luxuries.