What do you splurge on despite the recession?

When things are stressful it's hard to not go to the Olympic Day Spa and take advantage of the saunas, heated rooms and to just relax. For the $35 entry fee it's worth saving up for.

Although I've cut back on lattes, I can still rationalize spending on good wines. I shop for wine at Trader Joe's or Cost Plus, where good wines can be found at fairly inexpensive prices.

Manicures! When times are tough the $20 spent to have nice looking hands is so worth it and lasts for a couple of weeks if I am lucky.. Also, Netflix. I cut back on my cable package, renting, and going out to the movies, so the 2-at-a-time plan at around $14 a month unlimited is great for being stuck inside.

Clothes. I have always loved the thrill of the hunt of a thrift store find and these day that is no different. I love the fact that I can buy a nearly new item for a small fraction of the price I could new. Thrift stores have always lessened the guilt of that purchase.

Bullets and Shooting range.

I still buy fresh flowers. I love the color, the smell, and the reminder that spring and warmer weather are just around the corner. A bright bouquet of flowers lift my spirits, and because they last for several days, they are well worth the dollars spent!

Cheeses...can't have bad cheese. Costco has excellent cheeses at unbelievable prices.

Le Creuset cookware. It's literally made of iron, lasts forever.

Good coffee is a must. With 1/2 & 1/2. I agree about the parm, can't give that up either. Would rather skimp on stuff like clothes, "beauty" products, etc...

I still continue to spend money on supplies, books and other resources for my students. I cannot justify cutting back when there is such a need.

Food. I never cut my food budget because I've found that it makes us feel unhappy and often causes us to actually eat out more. So I maintain the same allowance for food (including the specialty stuff that we've come to love) even if that means cutting everything else. It's worked really well for us so far because we no longer go out to eat except on special occasions we saved for.

We will not give up our filet mignon . . . but we have learned to eat it on a budget. We just buy thick steaks and butterfly them. A recommended serving size is 3-4 oz anyway. Along with a plate of fruits and veggies, we eat well. We found you don't have to suffer those less tasty or tender cuts that are offered as economical.

For me, personally? I just splurged on some new pastels that were on sale. They never go on sale when you have tons of cash, so I spend my stimulus money on them. I can't bear the thought of my art supplier going out of business!

Now I just need to find someone who still buys art when the stock market is freaking out . . .

Organic Food, movies and clothes!

I've definitely become more price and sales conscious. I splurge on wine that is on sale and an exceptional value for that price. I will spend on certain quality ingredients to create meals that taste great but now check the manager's special bin to see if anything catches my fancy or fits a recipe I have in mind but take a very close look to see if any food quality has been compromised since I'm queasy about getting food poisoning from bad food that looks or smells sub par. A box of premium chocolates now last around 3-4 months instead of 3-4 weeks. Clothing, shoes and beauty products are less of a priority. So far I've managed to keep my appetite for new or interesting plants and gardening supplies under spending control. As the weather warms up it may be more difficult to maintain.

Pedicures! Though I did revise my toe plan to be every other color. So I do my toes one week, and the next time they need done I get a pedicure. When the pedicure needs replacing, I do it, and then next time back to the salon. It's nice to feel somewhat pampered every once and a while. A good pedicure makes me happy as soon as my toes touch the floor each morning and throughout the day. And in Texas, flip flop/sandal weather never ends.

beer & cigs

I love massages, so they are hard to give up, and organic veggies and quality meat when I buy it.

Organic food, quality meat, wine and good cheese. I just can't do without!!!

I reined in spending on media, eating out, and overall impulse buying. Stuff I buy now outside of normal bills, gas, and groceries needs a plan behind it.

But my biggest splurge has always been good beer. I drink it the way most people drink wine, seeking out rarities, small batches, hand-crafted gems from all over the planet and putting them in my "cellar" (bedroom closet). The weekends wouldn't be the same without a couple of great beers.

I love the old school favs that you'll never see coming from Spokane doc's relatives / the Hersey's empire... :-) Like the Easter hard candy Jordon Almonds. Yuummmmm......

Frantoia unfiltered Sicilian first cold press extra virgin olive oil.

Whole milk and heavy whipping cream, for my homemade ice cream.

As many others have noted, I too have continued to purchase high quality, organic food and have not sacrificed my glass of wine with dinner. I have always endeavored to shop wisely, however, for many reasons including the "green" ones. I use meat sparingly, buy bulk in grains, nuts, and dried legumes, buy in-season produce, keep veggie and meat trimmings for stock, and also minimize prepared, packaged foods. All of this ease the pocketbook a bit.

I continue to subscribe to Netflix, but gave up cable, and theater movies, long ago.

Finally, having house cleaners come every other week is another luxury that is well worth it's cost to me and remains a part of my life.

We'll keep our high-speed internet and DirectTV and Tivo. We don't have Netflix, or go to the theater. I will still buy video games, and he'll keep his 300 channels. We aren't going away on vacation this year.

My husband will continue to get his massages. Since he is installing our chain-link fence instead of having it done, I think he deserves them. I've quit having my hair colored professionally for now.

We will also keep buying higher quality local produce, cheese and meat from Whole Foods and Thriftway. We used to eat dinner out 4-7 days a week, but have started eating at home 4-5 days a week which is a big change. And life is too short to drink bad wine - but it doesn't have to be expensive.

I cut back on the number of books I buy, and use the King County Library a lot more. I also use them for DVD's, and will preview CD's before I buy them.

Our dogs and cat will keep getting high-quality pet food.

One more thing... a trip to the vet today reminded me of what a privilege it is, being able to afford having pets. They are one more luxury I am certainly holding on to, and tight!

Local, organic foods are a part of my own personal stimulus plan. As well as the best organic teas, which happen to be made in West Seattle, Choice Organic Teas. Supporting local companies for special items like Theo for chocolates and bakeries during this economic downturn is important! Farmers market and backyard urban victory gardens are the key to surviving this depression. Nothing like fresh local foods.

Chocolate! (Fran's gray salted caramels), Beauty Products (Aveda) and high quality dog food (All the Best Pet Care has fantastic natural pet products)!

The McDonald's Dollar Menu.

Theo Chocolate - they have cool events all the time that are affordable, plus free samples all over the shop every day. I love their chocolate and will keep buying it for myself and gifts. Organic food in general --the best choice I can make for the long term.

I can economize in most areas, but when it comes to hair care, cut and style,I still go to the salon for professional styling. It is something that I am unable to do for myself and would if I could.

I economize in a lot of areas. At home with energy use. I hadn wash dishes instead of using the dish washer. I do not leave lights on if there is no reason to. I use the new bulbs that are supposed to last a long time, and I cna't remember what they are called. I don't use my car if I don't have to. I do not have cable t.v. I use rabbit ears) but would rather have cable internet service. For a landline I use the MagicJack which plugs into my desk top. I make frequent use of the county library for books and videos.

I have found in the long run that to get exactly what I want like for instance with clothes, food, and cosmetics that I actually spend less and feel just as well cared for. I might buy one expensive article of clothing as opposed to buying more less expensive stuff, but at least I get exactly what I want. I use organice skin care which I think is less expensive than department store products, but more expensive than drug store brands. Salon cut and color is a necessity as far as I am concerned.

I buy food that I like to eat but I have cut down on junk food which I don't need and would rather have the nutritionally better food. Good quality ice cream is a must and I have cut way down on dining out. All in all, I feel that I have a good life.

And least I forget, I work out at home with weights and walk 4-5 miles daily for cardio. Those gym memberships can get expensive.