Survey Time

1. Here is a list of items some people would consider “expensive.” Please bold all the items that you spend money on regularly or occasionally.

-Hardcover books purchased new from a local bookstore

-Full service restaurant meals

-Espresso or Cappuccino from a coffee shop

-Premium, clove, or imported cigarettes

-Exotic produce

-High end make up/cosmetics

-Premium gasoline

-Professional quality or luxury type shampoos, conditioners, etc.

-Salon services such as waxing, manicures or pedicures

-Health care

-Designer clothes, shoes, handbags

-Not from concentrate Orange juice

-Massages

-Fresh Flowers

-The latest, top of the line computer equipment

-Brand new car

-Having your car professionally detailed

-Premium digital cable TV

2. Of the things that you bolded above, are there any that you consider “necessities” rather than “indulgences?” If so, which ones and why?

I live with my parents and sometimes its just nice to go out with some friends to catch up and get away from my parents. The girls I work with also get together in a nice restaurant about every six weeks to enjoy each others company. Even girls who have since left the office will come back and join us.

Coffee for me is a necessity, but I’m willing to drink the cheap stuff they make at work. On especially stressful days, a good cup of Starbucks coffee makes me happy.

The only salon service I get is my eyebrows waxed. I hate plucking and my brows are really bad. Although it is something I haven’t done in a while…..

Health care is very important to me, although what I have now is less than I really need. I get migraines often and sometimes need medication for them. I also have asthma and chronic bronchitis. I’ve had double pnuemonia and without my health care I’d be in debt up to my eyeballs. Also with being bi-polar, the therapy and medication is highly highly expensive. Although my health care now doesn’t pay for it all, every little bit helps. And that being said, I’m only 21! Imagine what I’ll be like at 50!

Real orange juice is not an indulgence. My grandparents have lived in Florida for years and they used to have orange and grapefruit trees in their yard. I’m so used to them that concentrate orange juice tastes like badly flavored water to me.

3. Of the items listed in number one, which would you NEVER purchase, and why?

NEVER? Probably designed clothes. I can find perfectly fine clothes in the other stores. And I mean really, who cares if you are wearing Victoria Secret underwear or Hanes Her Way? If it looks good and makes you feel good (and is on sale!), I’ll by it. I don’t buy things for their labels.

4. Name two or three of your favorite vices. How much money do you estimate you spent on them in the last six months?

I love music. I have a serious addiciton. If I’m having a bad week or something, I’ll hit Amazon and drop $50 with out breaking a sweat. Thankfully, I never buy them new. I’ll get them used from independent Amazon merchants so the price is considerably lower. The last six months, not counting music I bought for other people, I would imagine its somewhere around $250, possibly more. I rarely buy CDs full price, unless its from a friend’s band and they need the money.

Coffee is a vice. I have no idea how much money I spend on coffee. We have coffee at work, so I don’t pay directly for that. But at least once a week, I go to Dunkin Donuts with a young friend of mine and we sit and talk for a few hours about everything. I also buy coffee at school from a vending machine, but then its only 60 cents. Adding that all up, I probably spend around $5 a week on coffee, making it around $260 a year, which is probably about right. Wow, thats a lot!

Another vice is shoes and purses, but I’ve tried to sidestep that habit by not going to the mall. I don’t want designer shoes or whatnot, but I just love Payless and getting a new pretty pair of shoes. Purses are the same, not designer, but I love new ones.

5. How much do you pay for a bottle of shampoo?

Hee hee, the joys of living at home. My mom usually buys the shampoo for the house. Occassionally I will, but only because I’m grocery shopping and its on sale. Last time it was like 99 cents a bottle. I bought like 5 bottles. I’m such a sales geek.

6. When a new book by your favorite author comes out, do you run out to your nearest bookstore and buy it immediately no matter what the cost? If not, what do you do instead?

Usually I ask my mom or grandma to get it for me for Christmas. Or I convince my mom that she would love the book too and she should buy it for me. Last option is that I actually buy it myself. But then its from Amazon and its cheap.

7. What is the most money you ever paid for a meal out? Describe the meal. Was it worth it?

Honestly, I don’t remember. Usually if I go out (and its not fast food) my mom takes me, so she pays. Since I turned 21 my restaurant bills have been much higher as well. The most was probably with Mike. I think the final bill (including all the beer) was around $50. But we had sat their for a while, drinking and talking. It was worth it, for the company and the timing. It was nice to get out of the house and just hang with Mike for a while.

8. How many times per week do you eat out? Fast food or dine in?

Oh, boy. I usually buy lunch at least once a week. Either we go out or we order take out – Pizza, Chinese, the local diner, Applebees. We have our favorite haunts. My favorite is this place called Dutch Cabin. But its on the expensive side and its crowded so we usually have to arrange that the day ahead so everyone has money and we have to call for reservations as well. But for dinner, Mom is mostly in charge of that. If we eat out or do take out, she’ll buy.

9. Is your primary vehicle considered a “gas guzzler?”

I don’t think so. A full tank can usually last me about a week with work, school and rehearsals. I honestly don’t really keep track of the gas mileage. But its a Buick LeSabre and when my mom bought it, the gas mileage wasn’t that high. She said it hadn’t really changed when she sold it to me.

10. What’s the most you ever paid for a car?

The only amount I’ve ever paid was $2,800 for my current car. And actually it was a loan from my parents, which I’m paying back. Its a really good deal for the most part though.

11. Describe your favorite personal care or cosmetic indulgence and tell how much it cost.

Pedicure, manicure and eyebrow wax. I’ve had all three at the same time done twice in my life, before each of my proms. Its the perfect way to pamper yourself before slipping on the beautiful gown and dancing the night away. The girl who did them also does a foot and hand massage as well. I think the total for that was around $50, but it was worth it. I want to find a ball (and a prince chamring) so I can do it again.

12. Do