What splurges have you made that were worth the money?

Having been a Braves fan my entire life, I’ve decided to splurge on World Series tickets for the upcoming 3 games. In total, it looks like I’ll be spending around $10k.

From previous threads on here, the common “splurges” are weddings, wedding rings, and vacations. I’ve always been one to buy quality things that I’ll use a lot (new fully loaded car, custom mattress, etc.) but am pretty minimalist in everyday life. I’ve never gone on a vacation I’ve had to pay for myself, but luckily my family vacations have been to some pretty cool places.

The way I see it, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and the memories I will make from attending the games will be with me until the day I die. It’s not like $10k is my entire life savings (hell if you’ve read my previous posts you’ll see I lost $100k+ on GME), but it’s still a large amount of money.

A problem I’ve identified (that’s been an issue for me for the past 6 years or so) is that I don’t really feel anything emotionally. I think it stems from the realization I had after my injury that I won’t become a Major League Baseball player. This had been my dream my entire life, and I haven’t really been able to find a replacement. Serious consideration has been given to joining the military, but everyone I’ve talked to has advised against it, especially with what’s going on today. When I go to Braves games, I feel something emotionally. I get that knot in my throat that’s uncomfortable, but it’s feeling something. Similar to driving with my eyes closed, it reminds me that I’m alive.

To conclude my Ted Talk, I believe this is one of the best investments I can make with this $10k. The ROI is I get memories I’ll have until the day I die. Now, I’d like to hear about some of your splurges (both good and bad experiences).

 

Georgia Tech OMSCS? I’m debating between that, UT Austin, UIUC, Vanderbilt, and Rice

“The three most harmful addictions are heroin, carbohydrates, and a monthly salary.” - Nassim Taleb
 

If I ever make MD, I'd like to buy Luke's on-screen lightsaber from ROTJ... it sold for like $250k a few years ago.

 
Most Helpful

Ski Boots. Go to a proper boot fitter with a good reputation, be prepared to spend 2+hrs (or more) getting fitted. Forget what brand or color you want. Don't even think of buying that awesome pair of boots because they are 20% off online. Footbeds matter, get them, if your feet are odd shaped (high arches, etc) - get custom footbeds. Also, be honest when you're asking how aggressive you ski, if you mostly stuck to groomers, be honest, you don't want a super stiff boot if you're a casual skier. Try to do a little research before you go in, and if you really don't know what you are talking about - tell them. Also, Grip-Walk seems to be the standard nowadays so see if you can get those soles. Even if you don't ski that much, a good pair of boots can last you 10+ years. When I travel, I always bring my boots in my carry-on, you don't want to lose them!

Like the old saying goes: "date your skis, marry your boots". 

 

+1.  finally got some high end custom fit boots recently and they're so comfy I don't even need to unbuckle them when I go to the lodge for lunch.

For skis, most high end rental packages are about $60/day or can be purchased for ~$800 in offseason sales, so if you're going to ski often I still think its better to buy, but if you're going on 1 short trip per year then renting is better for sure.

 

Wondering about this as well. Thinking of buying courtside tickets to a nba game (~1.3k per seat), but I'm worried I'll regret it

 

Courtside is so sick. I sat courtside at the staples center and it was a totally different experience than being higher up. You're literally feet away from the players and can hear everything they're saying. All the big plays are crazy up close, especially dunks. Also they had a private buffet with literally any food you could imagine and you could take as much as you want.

 

Yeah but is it still worth it when the lower bowl tickets are still somewhat close to the players and only $80? Im not sure I can justify that much of a difference

 

Splurges that were worth it (for me at least):

Condo (but this is pretty standard)

vacations/experiences: lots that come to mind, but I’m a big foodie so a few trips to Europe for 1 or 2 nights for food and hanging out with friends, few weeks hiking in South America, sailing around the Mediterranean for a week, soccer games in Brazil (crazy atmosphere), etc

borderline worth it: car 

not as worth it but still enjoy a bit: watches 

 

Years ago when I was a partner in a mortgage bank, I was trying everything in my power to make things work. Our pricing was garbage compared to competitors, so to entice my friend at the time to refinance with my company, I invested $22,000 into his friend's Chinese solar company. That money was never seen again and my friend still didn't refinance with me. That's what desperation looks like. 

Array
 

I'm a dodger fan...was at game 7 vs the cheating Astros and game 5 against Boston. Both were brutal...but the risk was worth it especially for game 7. It was kinda cool being at a game that determined the champion but otherwise it sucked. We stayed to watch the ceremony for both teams as bitter as it was because we felt it was part of the experience. Big risk big reward going to high stakes games. 

 

picked up a Santa Cruz Hightower C S over quarantine. best decision i've made

 

2010 E92 M3. I have been obsessed with cars before I became interested in money. From time to time I regret it because of how frugal I am, and it is objectively an expensive, superfluous purchase. If I were wealthier I would plan on keeping it forever, but realistically I see myself selling it for a mortgage when the time is right. 

 
johnny-mnemonic

Have always seen this as the generation of M3 to get. How does it drive? I have a foxbody that I cannot realistically keep driving daily.

The E30 would like to have a word... That said, I haven't had an M3 yet, but my E34 M5 was the tits

The poster formerly known as theAudiophile. Just turned up to 11, like the stereo.
 

The E92 M3 is a phenomenal car and one I have always wanted. My fav car of all time to be honest.

I recently purchased a 2018 M2 - gotta say although the payments are hefty (for myself at least...), the joy I get from driving and even looking at it everyday is unbeatable. Just wish I made more money so wouldn't feel guilty having it. Drove the last car for 7 years and am hoping to get the same out of this one.

 

I love it! I looked at M2s but they were out of my price range. Had I factored in all of the preventative maintenance, the cost variance would've been marginal. The M2 is the only good car BMW has made since 2013 IMHO. When M2s came out from 2016-2018 they were actually reasonably priced, under 60/70k all in iirc. Even now, a used one with an extended warranty can be a great purchase. I have heard insane things about the 2021 M2 comps, but at 100k you can afford a better performance vehicle. If I had 100k to spend on a track car that could also be used as a daily, I would get the C8, spec it out, and still come in at 100k after taxes. My Dad actually is going exactly that with a 2022 model, and I am jealous. I would love to take some side by side photos of our cars. 

I know exactly what you mean about loving to just look at your car. Last night I went on a late night grocery run and my car was dirty and rained on, but it still looked better than any other car I've owned sitting in the middle of the grocery store parking lot. 

I will say that I pulled the trigger on the M3 too soon, due to FOMO. I heard they (alongside all other "semi-rare" NA v8s) were going to skyrocket in price because the demand would spike due to changes in production (e.g., increased emissions standards leading to smaller engines, more turbos less NA, etc.). With so few E92 M3s in decent condition and relatively low milage available at the time of purchase, I had to roll the dice. I bought the car after paying off all my debt but wasnt saving as much as I wouldve liked. All in costs (car payment, insurance, garage space, and gas) is around $855. It helps that I live with roommates and pay $1200 in rent. Because of this, I sometimes regret my purchase, just because I am again strapped for cash. I still can contribute healthily to my investment accounts (as much as I did pre-purchase), but need to carefully monitor all other spending (e.g., food / travel / trips / anything that is not a day to day expense). 

But never the less, I would have hated myself if I let a great opportunity slip through my fingers, and made it happen. I found a reasonably priced M3 less than 400 miles away, made an offer, and got shot down. Later the sales manager reached out to me and said we would come within $1000 of my offer if I bought the car before EOM (6 days left in the month). I jumped in the car two days later with my best friend and cruised up to MN to make it happen. 

Hope you get at least 7 years on your M2 and it is everything you hoped it would be. Once your warranty runs out, you should consider making a few performance modifications (if you're into that sort of thing). It will objectively decrease the value of your car, but may substantially increase the enjoyment you get out of driving it. 

If you like the E92 a lot, check out wettm3 on youtube (despite the awful name), who has a heavily modified M3 in space grey (same color as mine). He has a $6,000 custom titanium exhaust and it make the NA v8 sound like a v12 or a jet engine. 

Edit: added some additional details

 

Not an M3, but it's my E34 M5 for me (the version in the movie Ronin for those wondering). Proper four seat layout, S38 3.6l engine, Canadian car so a euro-spec in the US (even with the km/h speedo and some bunk ass built-in car phone!). Only Dr. Jekyll / Mr. Hyde issue is the gas mileage - 13ish mpg in the city, but 33 cruising at 80mph

The poster formerly known as theAudiophile. Just turned up to 11, like the stereo.
 

The E34 is one of the most beautiful cars ever made, better than the E36 I think. 

Regarding the gas mileage, for what it's worth, mine isnt much better than yours. I daily drive mine too haha.

I hope to see your whip cruising around some time, I dont think Ive ever seen a proper E34 in person. While Ive lost count of how many E36s Ive seen, E34s are hard to spot in my area. 

 

This.  I splurged on a 2013 E93 M3.  One of my favorite things I've ever driven (only comparable to the 2014 Mercedes SLS), and had the chance to buy one at a steal.  Was pretty well trashed when I bought it, but, mostly recoverable (needed a new oil pan, new brake rotors, 2 new wheels, 4 new tires, new hydraulics for the top, and the interior was rotted out / needed some major rehab).

Even after rehabbing the interior, it was never going to feel 'luxe' again, but man did that thing drive.  I got it to 155 (close to maxed out) on an empty highway, and drove it way too fast on some of the best, windiest, roads in the country.

Then I got caught in a surprise snowstorm.  Screwed the transmission.  Totaled.  Still worth enough to cover a lot of what I put in, but, I miss her...

 

My biggest splurge that was worth the money was a Steinway & Sons grand piano (Model B, which is just under 7 feet long).

Few other things in life give me greater joy and satisfaction than playing the piano.

One day, if I have the balance sheet (plus a house big enough for it), I would love to own a Model D (concert grand piano which is just under 9 feet long)

 

This dude has flexed so hard on WSO over the years that it genuinely hurts.

First it was his HBS chronicles/AMA and the legacy stuff about his dad being classmates with Jamie Dimon and Seth Klarman, then the post about buying paintings from the Dutch grandmasters for his family's personal galleries (and also lending the paintings out to major museums), and now the ~$100K piano he put in his apartment. Goddamn!

 

This dude has flexed so hard on WSO over the years that it genuinely hurts.

First it was his HBS chronicles/AMA and the legacy stuff about his dad being classmates with Jamie Dimon and Seth Klarman, then the post about buying paintings from the Dutch grandmasters for his family's personal galleries (and also lending the paintings out to major museums), and now the ~$100K piano he put in his apartment. Goddamn!

Flexing, I Guess?

 
kootcapital69

A problem I've identified (that's been an issue for me for the past 6 years or so) is that I don't really feel anything emotionally.

Ummmm...for you, I think the answer is counseling services....

 

Solo trip? How did you go about planning it? What were your favorite spots

 

Not sure who you have been talking to who advises against the military.

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

Yeah those are popular in Texas and I checked out a couple. The thing is that financing on those is just about impossible to get since they're not really residential or commercial. You basically have to have the money outright or you'll never find a bank that will loan against it. 

 
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buy em and don't look back. read up on "die with zero" by bill perkins. the amount of memory dividends will get you so much more enjoyment. what's money for if not for acquiring positive live experiences? 

mine are always related to experiences like travel. I imagine I'll have more than just travel if we have kids, but for now I remember the experiences way more than I remember which stocks did well in my PA

 

- Wahoo Kickr - indoor cycling trainer - $1000

- Garmin Fenix watch - $950

These two have been game-changers with me. I use a Wahoo Tickr chest HR strap for all my activities. 

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

I got a Garmin Fenix as well after being on the fence for a long time (I'm frugal as hell). Love the watch though, and worth it alone for the data tracking.

Dont get me wrong I was fit before the watch. But being able to measure run pace, swim pace, steps, heart rate, V02 Max, etc. allows you to do a far better job improving it. I like backpacking as well and the GPS feature is very cool where a smart phone would fail.

Always recommend 

 

I've got a Patek Nautilus, and everything about it (the fit, the weight, the look, the size) is pretty much perfect.

It's an amazing point of conversation when someone in the know spots it, but it's very understated so I don't get gawking idiots constantly asking about it...

I fucking hate wearing it though. I'm so paranoid that it's going to fall off my wrist, or that I'm going to get robbed for it and I'm going to be out 100 grand.

 

Out of curiosity, isn’t there insurance or something you could get for a watch like that? I only ask because I got myself a Longines not too long ago for my first “real watch”, and for a while I was super paranoid about it even though I got it for under $2k lol. I can’t imagine wearing something worth six figures on my wrist and not having that thing insured out the ass.

 
or that I'm going to get robbed for it and I'm going to be out 100 grand.

Luckily a Patek isn't likely to get you robbed on the street since I doubt most people who would do that aren't even aware of what it is. I've been big into watches for a while and have always said the difference between a Grand Seiko and a Rolex is that the Grand Seiko won't get me stabbed after dinner in the city.

 

What is a grail piece nowadays anyways? All watches are impossible to find, so it seems that anything can be a grail, just getting any nice watch is an achievement. 

I bought a Rolex Daytona in Summer of 2020 when watches were hard to find but still before it got really crazy. I love it and I am disappointed when I don't have an event where I can wear it. If anything, I stop myself from wearing due to safety issues or whatever. Definitely no regrets in getting it and worth the money. 

 

Don't own any of those grails but own a vintage 1675 GMT worth about $20k. Own 3 other watches that total another $20k between those.

LOVE wearing them but lately have found myself falling out of love with my newer pieces and more in love with my older pieces. I may trade out of the two newer ones to get another vintage Rolex.

If you need insurance to cover a higher value, get an appraisal at that higher value or get the Hodinkee insurance which I believe covers secondary market value, albiet you do pay a higher premium for it. Personally I got my pieces appraised and got Jeweler's mutual to insure the appraised amount

 

I agree with this too. I don't have anything "exotic" so I wouldn't call them a big splurge purchase or anything like that, but there haven't been any guns & ammo purchases that I have ever regretted and it's hard to lose money on most of those purchases. 

 

Tinder Plus, Bumble Premium, Hinge Premium, all in the same month.. this isn't counting the dozens of "boosts" I've paid for so that my profile is actually seen by a girl not holding a fish or a trump hat in her pictures. I got tired of matching with "if you can't handle curvilicious plus sized women, then swipe left." I knew once Apollo invested in some of these apps and the VC money started progessing towards later stage growth apps that needed to see a profit that things would change. But in all honesty, the amount of action and dates/matches these purcahses got me were completely worth it... and if your're like "fuck that I'm a hot gut and am 6'3'', I match with dozens of women a week" well great congratulations, but what if $20 a month could double that and increase your chances of getting laid on there 10 fold?!?!

We're not lawyers. We're investment bankers. We didn't go to Harvard. We Went to Wharton!
 

Ha interesting example - I too have spent on some of these things (and I am a 6'4 good-looking guy who gets matches anyway).  To me the right way to think about it is: you spend ~$80 on first dates in NYC (2 drinks a person at a good cocktail bar).  If you're going on 5 dates a month (very low # for me), that's $400 a month.  Why not spend ~$50 on the apps to make those dates substantially higher quality?  It's like a marketing funnel - you're paying for higher quality leads.  

 

it's all true, but at the same time, don't you think that it's fucked up that you need to spend money to just be shown to girls? you encourage Tinder and others to get even greedier. it is fucking comical that they have super-hyper-boosts now. they started with free app, then introduced tinder plus, then tinder gold, then boost, then super boost. like wtf is that. why the fuck do I need to buy a super hyper mega boost every day just to be visible on a fucking dating app?

 
GridironCEO

Tinder Plus, Bumble Premium, Hinge Premium, all in the same month.. this isn't counting the dozens of "boosts" I've paid for so that my profile is actually seen by a girl not holding a fish 

Fawk that's funny! And I totally understand where you're coming from :)

 

$2-3k almost every year on a big party of some sort (birthday, holiday, etc) - open bar at some spot (bar, brewery, etc) for 30-40 friends.  When you get older and your friends marry off and start having kids, you will have very, very few chances to get everyone together in one place.  I have never once regretted the cost.  

 

No kids.  First reason - I'm not married, and would never (intentionally) have kids outside of that kind of relationship.  Second reason, I don't have a strong desire to have kids, so if I have them it will be because my partner wants them.  

 

-High end sports equipment (golf and skiing in particular) and trips to some of the best spots to ski/golf. 

-Weekend trips to Florida 2-3 times a winter to recharge and golf

-Mid sized sailboat. Probably used it 10 weekends last season. Went to the vineyard, plenty of room for 3-4 friends etc. totally worth it. 

-Lots of travel other than the above. Europe every summer for 2-3 weeks. SE Asia/Australia in late winter.

Looking into a really nice place to live, but not sure if I’m relocating so that’s on hold for a bit.
 

 

I like the golf suggestion. I was fully fitted for a set of Ping irons about 8 years ago and that was (quite a bit of) money well-spent, will absolutely increase your enjoyment of the game. 

 

Do you travel to Europe solo? What are your favorite places and things to do?

 

Most of the time I travel with a buddy or two. Did a lot of trips with girlfriends over the years. Favorite places in Europe would have to be Greece, Italy, Croatia for Summer time. I spent 2 weeks in Croatia this Summer and it was incredible.

 

I'm a pretty frugal person, but I bought a Porsche. It was about $25K more than another car I would have bought, but I drive my cars for at least 6-7 years so felt like it was worth it. Learning how to do my own oil changes to cut down on expenses, but its a bit difficult on German cars. I don't spend much money elsewhere. Heck I often cook just to save on dinner.

Array
 

teddythebear

I'm a pretty frugal person, but I bought a Porsche. It was about $25K more than another car I would have bought, but I drive my cars for at least 6-7 years so felt like it was worth it. Learning how to do my own oil changes to cut down on expenses, but its a bit difficult on German cars. I don't spend much money elsewhere. Heck I often cook just to save on dinner.

Doing your own oil changes? WTF!!!!

SafariJoe, wins again!
 

Things that have been worth it:

1) Solo trip to Ibiza in my younger years and other luxury trips / vacations ($20-30k each)

2) Older model Porsche 911 Turbo S and GTR - both around $70k used

3) Modest collection of firearms

4) PSA 9 1st Edition Base Set Charizard ($35k) - connection to my youth and an alternative investment :)

5) Relatively high-end watches - $30-50k each

You work hard to live your life on a different plane both during and after your working years. Enjoy some spoils of victory along the way, as you never know what tomorrow might bring.

 

When I got my second IB bonus, I spent ~$20k on art. Some good pieces, some bad pieces (would say ~$10k of the ~$20k was worth it, bought one or two pieces that I absolutely adore). I think it was definitely worth the experience, because now I'm much smarter about how I approach art buying/procurement. My standards are much higher and there is a lot of garbage that I certainly would have bought 2 years ago that I wouldn't think of buying today.

All in, I've also dropped ~$10-20k on women (use your imagination here). Wouldn't take a penny of it back haha.

 
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Foursome with three high end girls for six hours. Just an experience and wouldn’t do it again. Was worth it though

 

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