Spending money on yourself on useless things

spyrosmom

spyrosmom

Cathlete
I have been wanting a new tattoo forever, and have finally settled on a design and a spot. My sticking point is the money. It is small, so won't be very expensive, but they aren't cheap, either. I could use the money on other things that have a purpose. Shoes and clothes and workout DVDs at least have a purpose. I am waffling here. I have the money, but there are always better things to spend it on. DH doesn't care one way or the other, except that it is a waste of money. And he is right, a tattoo doesn't DO anything or have any real purpose. Thoughts of spending money on "nothing" Or do what make you happy?

Nan
 
My thought is, you only live once, & if it makes you happy that's purpose enough. The shoes, DVDs & workout clothes will still be there next month.

Oooh speaking of, Nike just came out w/new pants styles! ;)
 
If it makes you happy then you aren't spending it on "nothing". ;) I think sometimes we need to do something completely for ourselves every once in a while. Heck, if my husband would let me, I'd be running out and getting one myself. And depending on what you have chosen for your tattoo, there usually is sentiment and meaning to the design.
 
I agree that it's not NOTHING....if it brings joy, then it is worth it. If you have the money, and it's not a question of the tattoo or the groceries, I say do it.
 
I'm a little biased here just because I dropped $375 on a tattoo and totally regret it. Big or small it is with you forever and the novelty tends to wear out after a few years especially for me since it is on my back shoulder and I can't even see it. Honestly if I could afford it I would lazer the sucker off but that would leave me pretty nice size scar. I would rather spend the money on a new pair of running shoes but that is me. Hey, . . ultimately it is up to you. Good luck with whatever you decide. :)
 
I think indulgence is necessary once in a while for one reason:

JUST BECAUSE!!!

However, if you're waffling, then now may not be the right time. I always try to go with my instinct. If it were me and I were having to bounce it off of people before I decided, I would wait. Only because, typically for me, that's the Universe trying to tell me there's going to be something I'm going to need to do or that is going to be more worth doing soon that I will need the money for.

Good luck!
 
If you have extra money and you want it, then do it. Don't over-analyze it. If you want it then it's important to you in some way, for some reason. As long as you are not taking away bill-paying or mouth-feeding money to pay for it then why feel bad??
 
If you're waffling, why not wait, and start stashing away some money each week? Then when you have the money for the tattoo, decide if you really want it. (Keep in mind what Janie said about it being forever-which can be a pro or a con--, along with the fact that most tattoos fade, and that tattoos can make you more apt to have allergic reactions to hair color--at least according to some hair color packages I've seen. Also, if you're ipretty young, your tastes might change, and that cute unicorn that you loved in your 20's might not go with the 40-year-old you).

My dad had tattoos up and down each arm: lots of viney things, an Eagle holding crossed arrows in its talons, a heart with a ribbon accross it with his Social Security number on, other things I don't remember (no hula girls, or women's names, though!). When he went sleeveless, it looked like he had sleeves. I think he'd gotten most of them from when he'd worked as a carnie in the Barnum and Baley circus in the 30's, and the tattood man (who was also a tattoo artist, as I guess most tattood men where) did them.
 
I stopped on the way home and got my new tattoo. Sometime ya gotta live for you. This brings the total to 3. I just always feel there is something else the money could be better spent on, ya know. I also sometimes have a hard time buying other things just for me. New earrings, watches, another pair of shoes. You know, WANTS, no NEEDS. But I work everyday (thank goodness) I'm allowed to get some of my wants now and then. And a bonus, BM2 showed up in the mail today. Gonna be a good weekend. Of to STS disc 3 legs, hopefully I'll be able to move to try out BM2 tomorrow. When I did disc 3 way back in Feb everything below my belly button hurt for about a week!

Nan
 
kathryn said:
.....My dad had tattoos up and down each arm:.........I think he'd gotten most of them from when he'd worked as a carnie in the Barnum and Baley circus in the 30's, and the tattood man (who was also a tattoo artist, as I guess most tattood men where) did them.
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Wow, Kathryn seriously?? That is so cool and interesting! I bet he had a bunch of stories to tell!
 
I think it's okay to spend money on "nothing" if it really makes you happy and you can afford it. When I want to determine if I can afford something, I apply the analysis Suze Orman uses on the part of her show where people call in and say "I want to buy a hang glider. Can I afford it?". Suze looks at several different factors of your financial life and then declares whether or not you can buy it. She doesn't question what you want to buy or how "useful" it is. It's enough that the you really want it. Assuming your income covers your expenses, you have no debt that should be paid off first, that you're maximizing your 401(k), that you're on track with saving for your kid's college, that you have at least 9 months worth of expenses saved for a rainy day, she declares you good to go. I think the part about having enough non-retirement funds saved to cover expenses for 9 months is important during these times when so many people are being laid off.
 
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Well, there you go! You made the decision, it was yours after all, and did what you wanted to do to make you happy! I'm glad you did something fun for yourself! I only have one tattoo and it took me years to decide to finally get it! I wanted it to be uniquely me and not some cookie cutter butterfly or something lame that I just pointed out and said, "That one." I'm perfectly happy with it, it's in a place that doesn't show unless I wear a bikini, so I can still look elegant in a formal gown when I need to!

Sometimes, you just gotta - because you can!
 
Govtgirl said:
Wow, Kathryn seriously?? That is so cool and interesting! I bet he had a bunch of stories to tell!
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Unfortunately, he was a rather private man, and I was never one to be much interested in my parents when I was younger. He passed away before I got to talk to him much about his past. But he did mention some Siamese twin women he went out with! And I know he worked with the elephants putting up the tents.
 
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