SPlurge vs. Steal

[chrissie3416]

What SB items do you splurge on or do you think are worth splurging on and what items do you try to get as a steal?

[karebear304]

Splurge - Jeans, Shoes. I also tend to splurge to an extent on acessories, but I have some really cheap stuff too.

Steal - pretty much everything else including makeup and products (I'm big on the drugstore brands).

[birkbop]

I try to get steals on everything. I put 110% into trying to find the most affordable option/dupe or getting the designer piece at a discount price either from flash sales, coupons, etc.

Compared to a lot of women, I guess I never "splurge" because I refuse to pay over $150 for just about anything on a regular basis while some ladies here (and everywhere) will drop that on a hairdryer in a second.

[NachoProblem]

Spurge - Jeans, skincare, hair products, sweaters, sandals, pumps, purses

Steal - basics, flats (since I destroy my ballet flats), other accessories like belts, sunglasses, etc

ETA: These re my own definitions of splurge v. steal. The max I'll spend on a pair of jeans is $100, the max I'll spend on a purse is probably $300.

[texassmith]

Splurge: jeans, although I usually find my faves (7FAM and Joe's) at TJMaxx or Marshall's.

Save: makeup, clothes other than jeans

I am so rough on my clothes and shoes and they often end up with stains (from kids or my clumsy self) that I like to spend as little as possible.

[futurepivko]

Splurge: jeans, cardigans, dresses, bras, shoes, foundation, face wash, eyeshadow, , running shoes, moisturizer (sensitive skin sucks), and I will splurge on Tiffanys

Save: basics, work out clothing (but not shoes), mascara

[mrsacornblue]

Splurge: Skincare, base makeup (foundation, concealer, ect) because my skin is super sensitive, makeup brushes, work shoes, jewelry, jeans, handbags

Save: Work clothes (scrubs), clothing (I ALWAYS look for sales), casual shoes

[bethaboo]

My budget dictates that I look for steals on everything right now. I tend to spend a little more on jeans and make up.

[phoenixrising]

I tend to take advantage of steals on clothes (I buy a lot of Target stuff, have a lot of ON stuff in my closet, and buy a lot of Gap on sale or with coupon codes) and accessories. I also save on shampoo and conditioner and some make-up.

I splurge on face care, purses, and some make-up. When I eventually hit my goal weight, I will be splurging on denim as well.

[Deleted]

Splurge: Timeless jewelry that will be worn forever, like a watch (mine is Omega), diamond studs, pearls (which I don't have), etc. Bras. Certain skin care products (dermatologist recommended ones like tretinoin, Neova, Obagi, etc - not stuff from department stores). Special occasion dresses. Swimsuits (if I'm going to be half naked, I'm going to buy what I feel the best in even if it's expensive). Suits for work (although splurge to me is $300 - $400). Oh, and only slightly beauty related, but I am a firm believer in splurging on a mattress! Ours was $4,000 (regular price $8,000) and it is heaven. Worth every penny.

Steal: shoes (I really like Nine West), all other clothes (but I do like TJ Max and 6pm.com to get nice brands for cheap), handbags (I spend about $150 for something nice at TJ Max), most of my skin care products (face wash, moisturizer), hair care products

[delicateshamu]

I pretty much try to get a steal on everything, but if I am going to splurge it's usually on a dress or a great skirt or a pair of shoes. And the upkeep of this red hair! Gah.

[pooh8402]

my budget dictates that everything has to be a steal right now. I consider $100 to be expensive for jeans, shoes and bags. most shoes and bags I buy are under $50.

splurge: hair care. I will spend $20 on a single hair care product. my hair is temperamental but it is also the thing I am complimented on the most (other than my eyes). nails--I look for sales (especially on Zoya polishes), but I have paid $25 for a Chanel polish before because I wanted it and there were no dupes at the time. jeans--I love 7FAM jeans but I get them at Plato's Closet for $20. I will pay full price for Express jeans though. makeup--I love Smashbox and Bare Minerals for foundation and concealer, and UD for eyeshadows and liners, and Benefit for blush.

steal: just about everything else. my jewelry is all Charming Charlie's and F21 (I have a few pieces of fine jewelry but the only fine jewelry I wear on a daily basis are my wedding rings), my tops are usually Target or F21, I use Neutrogena everything on my face. I buy shoes from Payless or Target mostly, and purses from Target or Charming Charlie's. my current bag is the most expensive one I own and it's Coach... and it was a gift.

[wawa]

Splurge - Glasses, Boots. I spent more on my favorite pair of boots than i did on any other wearable purchase ever except my wedding dress.

Save - everything else. I'm a big fan of TJMaxx/Marshalls.

[majick143]

Splurge - Jeans, Shoes, Handbags and Sunglasses. I will spent the most on these things because I consider them staples. Items I can wear over and over. I try to go for styles that will last, trendy doesn't do it for me here. I also splurge on my work out clothes, it's all LLL but it motivates me to use them and I feel good in them so I enjoy working out in them. Whatever it takes to get my butt out there is worth it for me.

Steal - I'll only buy tops, cardigans, dresses (usually) and accessories on sale and on the cheap. I can do trends in these items since I'm not spending a ton of money on them typically.

I've spent some on jewelry but I don't change it up with outfits usually. It's all Tiffany, bracelets with charms that mean something to me, a necklace with my girls initials, a couple rings and the silver ball stud earrings. I also wear my wedding set and my rose gold nixon watch, pretty much daily no matter what I wear. So an initial expense but I don't buy that stuff much.

[summerkutie]

Splurge: purses, shoes (sometimes), makeup, and beauty products. Other than mascara, the drug store brands just don't do it for me :-P

Steal: pretty much everything else. I enjoy splurging on certain pieces here and there, but for the most part do a lot of my shopping at Target, F21, ON, VS, etc..

Ditto a lot of the pp's I try to get the best deal I can no matter what, but will sometimes splurge here and there, but it's rare, as H and I tend to spend a lot of our fun money on vacations and stuff for the house.

[veruca5839]

I splurge on skin care and makeup. Sometimes shoes and some clothing items. For the most part I try to find the best deal on something or get sale/coupon codes as much as possible.

[shopmore]

Splurge - shoes / handbags / work pants / jeans / sweaters / coats / sunglasses

Steal - sandals / tops / lipstick

[msamyfarrahfowler]

Splurge: all makeup, except lip products; shoes; purses

Steal: work and casual clothing (I shop discount stores and wait for big sales)

[adlove]

May 31, 2012 10:30:54 GMT -5 veruca5839 said:

For the most part I try to find the best deal on something or get sale/coupon codes as much as possible.

This is me too. But in general I'd say I probably splurge more on things I'm likely to get more use out of and things that are more classic pieces. Likewise I prefer to save on something if it's pretty trendy and won't give me as much bang for my buck.

[adlove]

May 31, 2012 10:21:59 GMT -5 @smorriso said:

Splurge: Foundation, lipstick (still less than $20), ZARA (because their stuff rarely goes on sale). Dresses- because they're a full outfit most times. (still most less than $80)

Steal: Just about everything else. I have a hand me down flat iron. I get my hair cut at my aunt's salon. I use Groupon and discounts on everything. Including removing internet cookies enough times to get a higher coupon code. I hate paying for shipping. I get phone text discounts for the Gap and Sports Authority.

Smo, can you explain the Internet cookies thing to me? I'm intrigued.

[Deleted]

May 31, 2012 12:33:48 GMT -5 adlove said:

May 31, 2012 10:21:59 GMT -5 @smorriso said:

Splurge: Foundation, lipstick (still less than $20), ZARA (because their stuff rarely goes on sale). Dresses- because they're a full outfit most times. (still most less than $80)

Steal: Just about everything else. I have a hand me down flat iron. I get my hair cut at my aunt's salon. I use Groupon and discounts on everything. Including removing internet cookies enough times to get a higher coupon code. I hate paying for shipping. I get phone text discounts for the Gap and Sports Authority.

Smo, can you explain the Internet cookies thing to me? I'm intrigued.

This is such a great idea that has never occurred to me. Are there specific sites that give the good coupon codes to new site visitors?

ETA - never mind! I just saw Smo's post above!

[emyinpink]

In general, I prefer to splurge on fewer, high quality items. I'm actually trying to really focus in on that.

Splurge: Anything that transcends seasons. Denim, purses, shoes, sunglasses, coats. Workout gear is also a splurgeish. I also splurge on make-up/skincare. Designer accessories. Bras/underwear.

Save: Costume jewelry. Trendy pieces. Simple tops. Sweats. T-shirts, tank tops, and camis.

[adlove]

May 31, 2012 12:42:27 GMT -5 @smorriso said:

May 31, 2012 12:33:48 GMT -5 adlove said:

Smo, can you explain the Internet cookies thing to me? I'm intrigued.

Yep! This works when BR or Gap is doing their tiered discounts online. Most times you'll get a 30% off, and if you're lucky 40% off. I think there was even a gap one for 45% off.

The discount is applied by cookie when you open the screen. In Firefox, and I think similar steps in IE, if you go to:
Tools tab in the menu bar
Click on Options
Select Privacy (tab on top of window)
Remove individual cookies.
Go to the gap.com cookie, select, and remove.

If you have the retail site window in tabs, make sure to close out of your BR/Gap tab before starting the process. Or the original cookie will stick.

Sometimes you'll get the same discount rate, sometimes you'll get the higher discount rate. If you're shopping for a high demand item, I'd only try it for so long, I've had pieces sell out by the time I've gotten a 40% off code. I've done it for like 5 minutes before. haha.

A few tries is worth the extra 10% or 15% IMO. I'm cheap. haha.

Genius!! Thanks for sharing!

[veruca5839]

May 31, 2012 12:42:27 GMT -5 @smorriso said:

May 31, 2012 12:33:48 GMT -5 adlove said:

Smo, can you explain the Internet cookies thing to me? I'm intrigued.

Yep! This works when BR or Gap is doing their tiered discounts online. Most times you'll get a 30% off, and if you're lucky 40% off. I think there was even a gap one for 45% off.

The discount is applied by cookie when you open the screen. In Firefox, and I think similar steps in IE, if you go to:
Tools tab in the menu bar
Click on Options
Select Privacy (tab on top of window)
Remove individual cookies.
Go to the gap.com cookie, select, and remove.

If you have the retail site window in tabs, make sure to close out of your BR/Gap tab before starting the process. Or the original cookie will stick.

Sometimes you'll get the same discount rate, sometimes you'll get the higher discount rate. If you're shopping for a high demand item, I'd only try it for so long, I've had pieces sell out by the time I've gotten a 40% off code. I've done it for like 5 minutes before. haha.

A few tries is worth the extra 10% or 15% IMO. I'm cheap. haha.

:Y: I will have to try this!

[mrssavy42112]

I try to get a steal on almost everything. I’m really good with coupons, flash sales & daily deal sites. I’ve recently started couponing for groceries, but that’s another story. I rarely pay full price for anything.

I do splurge on skincare and hair care. I will occasionally splurge on dresses and shoes. I don’t mind spending $100 on a dress b/c like Smo said, it’s a complete outfit. Just can’t do it often.

Oh, and the idea of clearing cookies is pure genius.

[chrissie3416]

SMO-this may be a dumb question but Im not tech savvy lol
Do you need to be on their site to do this or is this somehting to do in general before shopping online?

[mrst2]

splurge- jeans, handbag, skincare, makeup
steal - shoes, clothes