We get this question a ton, and although it’s completely one of those varies-by-every-scenario things (we might splurge on one mirror because we love it and can’t find anything like it for less, but then save on another mirror because we fall in love with it for $5 at a yard sale), we thought we could attempt to answer it as simply as we could. With a junkload of words and bullets and lists. You know how we do.
Of course the words “splurge” and “save” can have wildly different definitions according to the individual. For example, one person might consider a splurge to be hiring out some custom built-ins to the tune of $5,000 or embarking on a 50K kitchen renovation while we might consider a splurge to be buying hardwoods for our entire upstairs while laying them ourselves to save money, or creating $360 built-ins with retrofitted wooden drawer bases instead of getting a $50 thrift store dresser and calling it a day.
On the flip side, someone might think that saving means using only what you have or buying only secondhand items while we might consider a wider range of big-box offerings to be in the save category, so it really is one of those open-to-interpretation subjects. But without further ado, please allow me to get listy…
So far in our new house, we’ve splurged on:
- Hardwood floors throughout the second floor
- Upgraded slate-like roof
- A pretty extensive sunroom renovation
- Hiring a professional to level the yard for us
- Upgraded doorknobs instead of spray painting the old pitted gold ones
- Adding two Nest thermostats (we have two heating/cooling systems, one on each floor)
- Choosing upgraded furnishings (like a Restoration Hardware table, a West Elm dresser, two $300 dressers-turned-built-ins for the nursery, etc)
- Hanging extra thick crown molding (which we still want to add to the guest room and the upstairs hallway after doing it in Clara’s room and the nursery)
- Buying upgraded light fixtures (in the kitchen and the foyer so far)
- Adding a Dash & Albert runner to the stairs
- Planting a few large privacy trees in the backyard
- Choosing upgraded laundry appliances with a few new features we thought we’d use/enjoy
Of course a few of these things fall on some sort of blurry line between saving and splurging. For example, we got our Restoration Hardware table for 70% off, so some people might put that in the “save column” along with the West Elm dresser that we bought using money we got from craigslisting other items instead of digging into our savings at all. Some projects also seem sort of hybrid, like the stair runner update (we splurged for a Dash & Albert runner, but installed it ourselves to save cash – and we hired someone to level our yard, but then we seeded all the grass ourselves, again to save in that arena). So it’s not all so cut and dry. And the same is true for the save list.
So far we’ve saved on:
- Painting countless walls, ceilings, and trim/baseboard/molding ourselves (in general everything on this list involves remedying simple cosmetic issues with sweat equity)
- Refreshing the grout in our foyer (best $12 I ever spent)
- Rejuvenating the existing wood floors downstairs (another huge bang for hardly any bucks)
- Finding four $15 kitchen chairs at a thrift store
- Painting our existing six-panel interior doors instead of replacing them
- Removing all the wallpaper in five rooms ourselves (this was free, but it sure wasn’t easy)
- Stripping and then resealing & staining our deck
- Phase one updates in the bedroom sink nook (like removing the old carpeting, stenciling the floor, getting a larger mirror, updating the existing vanity, etc)
- Phase one updates in the kitchen (like painting and staining the existing cabinets, hanging inexpensive Ikea shelves, moving the cabinet over the fridge forward, switching out the heavy over-the-stove microwave for a cheap craigslist vent hood, etc)
- Phase one updates in the downstairs powder room (like painting the existing vanity and hanging a new mirror, adding some art and a new thrift store light, etc)
- Closet and organizational updates that we could do ourselves with some time/effort but not too much money (like the toy closet, our in-progress pantry, etc)
- Playful kid room updates (like Clara’s raindrop wall & bright pink closet door, her lit canopy, and her wall o’ fun)
Some things helped us splurge in other areas, like a home warranty that made our new furnace free – or our upgraded roof, which we got with money that we got back at closing. In general our saving or splurging method can roughly be summarized as our way of playing the long game in certain areas, while opting just to make some affordable in-the-meantime updates to rooms that were formerly extremely frown-inducing that we knew we could improve for a small amount of loot and elbow grease instead of living with them for years as-is. Like our bathroom, which we eventually plan to expand into a separate sink-nook area, to create one big space in a few years after we have enough cash saved up for a full renovation.
It would probably make for more blog fodder if we went room to room doing Phase One and then redid each space with a Phase Two makeover, but we’re trying to invest time and money into more permanent solutions from the get-go in as many spaces as we can afford to do so, since we plan to be here long-term. So while we love easy & inexpensive Phase 1 updates for areas that are extra pricey to renovate (like kitchens and bathrooms, especially when we’re not sure what we want to do with their layouts just yet), if we know what we want and have the money on hand for a space like a nursery that we hope will grow into accommodating a much older child (or like our recently renovated sunroom) it’s exciting to work towards that end-vision from the start. Psst – Here’s a post with a bunch of info about how we approach Phase 1 changes so they’re not a waste of money and time.
And just because I like lists a little too much, I thought I’d pepper in a few possible future splurges and saves that are on our minds.
Possible future splurges:
- New kitchen appliances (we’d also like to upgrade to a gas stove down the line)
- Adding a gas insert to the living room fireplace
- More exterior updates like privacy plantings
- More upgraded furnishings, light fixtures, and window treatments as we go
- Eventual bathroom and kitchen renovations, full of thoughtful choices that we hope to love long-term
- Adding cabinetry/built-ins to spaces like our office, the closet niche in our upstairs hallway, etc
- Converting our kitchen windows into french doors that lead out to our deck
- Eventually finishing off the unfinished storage room to make a bunk-room/media room for older kiddos
Possible future saves:
- Doing as much wall removal ourselves as we can (both the bathroom wall and the kitchen wall we want to take down aren’t load bearing)
- Doing other major projects like installing heated tile ourselves
- Creating custom cabinetry in spaces like our office and upstairs hallway niche
- Tackling a bunch of transplanting, mulching, and landscaping projects that we can DIY
- Other cosmetic updates like painting the rest of the house’s trim/walls/ceilings
- Making more energy efficient updates to save us money as we go (more LEDs, adding insulation, etc)
- Reusing our old kitchen cabinets in the garage to create free storage and a workshop space
This is by no means an exhaustive list of all the things we’d like to do (you can check out one of those here), but we hope it sort of shows the balance going on in our minds. In other words, although we plan to be in this house for decades, we’re not splurging on everything. There are still a bunch of ways to make affordable choices that we’ll hopefully be really happy with for the long run. But when it comes to things that we might regret (or might have to buy twice if we’re not happy with the first purchase), we’re trying to relegate those to extremely small, low-risk things (like a $30 faucet or range hood that we can later craigslist for the same amount that we bought it for).
If you’re stuck wondering if you should splurge or save on something, asking yourself these four questions might help:
#1. How long will you live with it? We try to make what we spend relate to how long we’ll live with something. So for example, if we’re choosing something like hardwoods or tile, we’re a lot more likely to spend over a thousand dollars for that material. Meanwhile if we’re planning to renovate a bathroom or kitchen in a few years after we have more money saved up, we’d never sink 1K into that interim update, and we’re much more likely to save with simple inexpensive updates like paint, wallpaper removal, and a few new accessories. On the flip side, our sunroom update wasn’t interim – we were spending money in there and making big changes that we hope to enjoy for decades (tiling, lofting the ceiling, adding tongue and groove planks overhead, getting two fans installed to cool it more efficiently), so for the sake of that room we wanted to do it once and do it right. Same for the roof, and with our hardwoods, for example.
#2. How much will it affect my day and how I live? This is an example of how you might want to upgrade to a deep soaker tub if you’re a bath person but skip that splurge if you’re not. For us getting a Nest was a big indulgence, because we love the energy-saving aspect of it (which truly does save us money) but most of all we love that we can turn it up or down from bed on our phones if we’re hot or cold. It feels luxurious to us, and we use those extra features like auto-away and phone-adjustment very regularly. So it feels like a worthy splurge.
#3. How much wear will this take? If it will take a lot, a splurge, or at least a very well researched buy is important. You wouldn’t want a cheap rickety table in your kitchen if you have a busy family who eats three meals a day there, so you’d probably want to save for something more solid, reliable, and well constructed. Other examples of a splurge for something that gets a lot of daily wear might be a good toilet (we hear people rave about how their Toto changed their life) or an awesome oven if you bake every day. There can definitely be exceptions to this rule though. For example, we have loved our Karlstad sofa, and was a great deal (a lot cheaper than many of the splurge sofas that we compared it to). Doing research, like reading about others who had it, sitting on it multiple times, and picking their most durable cover, definitely helped to make it a purchase that had the best chance of sticking around.
#4. Does a certain visual effect rest heavily on this choice? Say you have an inspiration image of the dream bedroom you’ve always wanted and two things that define that room are full gorgeous curtain panels and thick chunky curtain rods. In this case you could save on wall paint and inexpensive accessories like pillows and decorative objects but if you cheap out and get thin curtain rods and wimpy looking curtains you’ll probably never be happy with your “take” on the space. So in the case of coveting a room with very specific features, like an amazing rough-hewn coffee table, I would save on other less specific items in the room, and splurge on whatever makes (or could break) that space.
So there you have it. One big splurge vs. save brain-dump on a Wednesday morning. Have you guys noticed any pattern when it comes to what you save up for and where you try to cut corners in the name of DIY? Have you splurged and saved on the same item (bought one pricey dresser after finding a steal of a deal on craigslist for another room?). That can make for a nice balance, so we like to keep an open mind whenever we can.
Mary | Lemon Grove Blog says
Loved this! Another good thing to remember is how much you’re saving just by doing all (or most of) the renovations yourself! You can use all that extra sweat equity to put back into projects on your house. :)
Anele @ Success Along the Weighn says
You’ve just reminded me to look into a home warranty and I’m almost sold on the Nest. That would make the Mr explode with glee!
Loey says
I am always impressed by all the work you guys do yourselves! Just wondering about your new washing machine. Did it arrive and does it work?! Did you get the warranty on it?
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, it arrived! And we love it! So glad! We’ve read a ton of stuff that says warranties are typically not worth the money (Consumer Reports, Money Magazine, etc) so we haven’t purchased that, but we get 30 days to add it if we change our minds…
xo
s
sarina says
I worked for Circuit City.. and those warranties are pretty much pure profit for the company. Most people never use them.. they either forget they have them.. or the company makes it so “difficult” to get warranty service that they just don’t bother. (that’s why I just replaced two bearings on my riding lawn mower that was less than a year old.. the Troy-Bilt warranty required that I take it to their shop which was about 45 minutes away and I didn’t have a truck to haul it.. and they said they would only repair if it was due to a defect in the part.. not from use.. and you know they would have said it was use).
Generally, if something is going to go haywire on something due to a defect, it will happen pretty quickly.. like in the first year.. so if you make it one year with your item.. which most manuf. war. cover.. you are most likely ok for the longer haul.
Just keep all that warranty money in your pocket for all your items and you can be self insured if you have to replace/repair something.
The only thing that I do get ins on is my smart phone.. but even then I drop it as I get close to my renew date.
YoungHouseLove says
So interesting Sarina! Thanks for sharing!
xo
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Cat says
Also, most credit cards have a feature that will automatically double any warrenty up to 1 year. If something happens after the original warrenty is up, you just have to send the repair bill to the credit card company with a copy of the warrenty and a copy of the original purchase receipt. I got a reimburstment check back in just 2 weeks!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s AWESOME!
xo
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Mallory says
Still love the new knobs! They make SUCH a difference, even though it’s very subtle!
And can I just say that recoloring the grout made me love those floors? I actually was thinking the other week when you posted about the master bathroom that you should try the grout recoloring in there too!
haverwench says
“You could save on wall paint and inexpensive accessories like pillows and decorative objects but if you cheap out and get thin curtain rods and wimpy looking curtains you’ll probably never be happy”
–OK, true…but you could still save by getting your “full gorgeous curtain panels and thick chunky curtain rods” secondhand on Craigslist, or by making your own out of heavy fabric and embellished dowels. (Amy Dacyczyn, the Frugal Zealot, used to be fond of saying, “Frugality without creativity equals deprivation,” so if you invert that, creativity is the key to being frugal without feeling deprived.)
“we hear people rave about how their Toto changed their life”
–Really? Uh…how, specifically? Because I’m trying to imagine a new toilet changing my life and failing epically.
YoungHouseLove says
I completely agree that you can get lucky and find many things that could be a splurge secondhand if you’re lucky (or make them)! I just pulled that curtain example out of thin air, but you’re right that you could just sew them and use dowels to make beefy rods. So smart! As for the toilet, I was with you! How can a toilet change your life?! We’ve always gone with a simple toilet and been very happy (as long as it works!) – meanwhile we’ve heard from friends that they had plumbing issues and needed a new toilet and then were upsold something fancy by a known brand (a lot of plumbers don’t even like Kohler anymore, they just love top brands like Toto) and they’ll rave forever about how it’s awesome (comfort height, never gets clogged, easier to clean around due to the base design without groves, etc). Who knew there were so many toilet features?!
xo
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Kate says
A good toilet can change your life! I just finished remodeling my master bathroom and put in a Gerber toilet. It is low flow (uses little water and is gravity assist), is a compact elongated toilet (takes up less valuable space than my last toilet), Ergo height (which is great for taller folk like my hubby), has not clogged AT ALL so far (a frequent problem with the Kohler toilet we replaced), and the bowl design is SO MUCH EASIER TO CLEAN! That last part has been amazing and taken a chore which I previously despised and turned it into one that is not so bad. The toilet cost me about $450, but it was TOTALLY worth it. Never has something so simple as a toilet made such a huge difference in my daily life.
Another splurge from our bathroom remodel that I say is the BEST MONEY WE EVER SPENT is our radiant floor heat. This is a HUGE deal when you live in a state like Wisconsin where bathroom floors can be super cold in the winter months. It has been especially nice this winter, as we’ve had 19 days so far where the high temp has not even reached 0 degrees.
Jenny M says
I got upsold on a Toto toilet a couple of years ago after the plumber told me pretty much anything with the right rough-in would fit the space…and then the Toto didn’t fit the space. There was some water intake configuration that conflicted with our pipes and would have been $1k+ to work around. So I had to craiglist it for half the price (note: beware of buying items online for which the freight charge, if returned, exceeds the value of the item!). So I guess I learned a couple of vaguely life-changing lessons from the experience…but American Standard turns out to fit the bill very nicely.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh no! We have really liked American Standard toilets! Our first house had one AS and one Kohler and we actually preferred the AS one!
xo
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Katrina says
I consider toilets like appliances – they will be used all. the. time. so you might as well get the best one that fits the space and has the features you want! I’m pretty sure that no matter how much you spend on a toilet that when the time comes to replace it you’ll have gotten all your money out of that purchase (assuming was a well researched and appropriate purchase in the first place).
Rachael says
Two more great features of Toto toilets is that they have 1 gallon per flush models available (think of all the water you’d save, and how much lower your water bill would be!) and they have models with this coating that makes it so you barely ever have to clean the toilet bowl. I know my toilet bowl gets a ring if I don’t clean it once a week, not having to clean it would be life changing!
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh, that does sound compelling!
xo
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Linda says
One thing to remember with toilets, like many products, is that what you see at the big box store is not necessarily the same quality as at a specialty shop (e.g., plumbing supply). Sometimes the innards of the toilet or faucet, that you and I don’t see as consumers, are of higher quality than the ‘cheaper’ version. I have to admit I’d be leery of buying a Kohler at a big box store. That said, I just got a comfort height Kohler from a plumbing supplier and I’m in love with it. Flushing power, water savings, height, easy to clean….just so nice!
Hilary says
I think you need to live with a bad toilet to understand how a new one can change your life :) In our previous home the plunger was a bathroom fixture as we needed it at least once a week. After we put in a new toilet the plunger went to the basement as we only needed it once or twice a year. Also, it is something you do really need to research, we watched lots of YouTube of various things being flushed before we made our final decision (and also read reviews and consumer reports). I’ve used new low-flow toilets that have such a weak flush I scared even #1 won’t make it down!
mp says
My cheap husband refused to acknowledge that someone in a wheelchair should have a toilet at wheelchair height, so he bought a $99 toilet several inches shorter than his wheelchair that he pulled out of the floor the second or third time he used it. I bought an ADA-approved toilet that was even with his chair seat and paid a plumber to install it. Around $500 total, but money extremely well-spent, especially since he’s been dead nearly five years and I still use that toilet every single day.
JG says
I thought about a Toto when redoing the bathroom, after reading all those fanatical reviews, but couldn’t stomach the cost, and saw some complaints about their noise and installation. Kohler had it’s fair share of complaints. In the end I bought a Lowes brand toilet with beautiful styling (yah, I bought it for looks! And ease of poss return.) It is low flow, and the technology is so up to date that the flush is *awesome* and quiet! Haven’t had a single clog. And it was hundreds of dollars cheaper that a Toto. We’re super-happy!
The new technology for low flow is hugely improved.
JG says
And haverwench, I love your comment! Folks get so stuck in the usual purchasing way of problem solving that they miss the fun creative alternative ways and options! And Amy D. is awesome!
Cat @ MaryMarthaMom says
You mentioned a potential future splurge of a gas stove for your kitchen… I absolutely say do it! It’s just my personal opinion, but it is so worth it! When we moved in to out home we had a line run and one put it and I do not regret it one bit!
As for us, we have a balance of the two, like you all we try to do a lot of work by ourselves, like painting all the walls and trim ourselves so that we can save up for nicer furnishings, etc in the future. Our next splurge might be the nest. My husband has had his eye on it for a while.
YoungHouseLove says
It’s amazing how many gas-stove lovers there are. We’re totally sold and can’t wait (we’ve always had an electric one, so it should be fun to see how different it is someday).
xo
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Alexandra says
I was lucky and found a Jenn Aire gas cook top on Craigslist for $250. It was brand new and still in the box. It is a slightly older model but the appearance is still in line for a modern kitchen. The seller had been a custom home builder. A client changed his mind about the cook top and it was a non-returnable special order item. I love a gas stove!
YoungHouseLove says
So awesome!
xo
s
Jessica says
I personally hate our gas stove! I think I might be the only person on the planet who has a gas stove and wishes they had an electric one.
Our starter thing doesn’t work on it, so I have to bust out a lighter every time just to use the cooktop, which then freaks me out and makes me worry about what if the oven doesn’t start sometime and instead just gas is going in there?! Also, the flames on the cooktop don’t come straight up, they often go more toward one side or the other, which means I have to shift my pans around until I find the sweet spot. Oh, and I hate cleaning it. I’d much rather have a glasstop electric stove that I could just swipe with a washcloth and clean all easy-peasy instead of having to lift grates and clean around objects. I’m also worried about having kids someday since the knobs are on the front where they could easily reach them. Most electric stoves I’ve seen have the knobs in the back, away from curious hands.
And yes, I’ve used other gas stoves and hate them, too. It’s not just ours that I hate!
YoungHouseLove says
So interesting to hear the other POV! I feel like there are so many gas fans it’s rare to hear someone with your perspective. Thanks for sharing!
xo
s
Penny says
I agree, gas stoves are awesome especially when an ice storm threatens to knock out power…I have a feeling we’ll be using ours a bunch today.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man, I hope we don’t lose power! Stay safe!
xo
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Sarah Stirling says
I was interested in upgrading to the nest as well but I asked one of my coworkers about it (Oh, I work for a heating and air company so they’re pretty reliable) and he said that unless you have an updated HVAC unit that the nest is not going to be as beneficial. I asked him because our unit is pretty old (exact age unknown since we’ve only lived in the house a year) and I thought that it would help. But he said that the only way to save money with an older unit is proper maintenance- getting it checked out my a pro once a year and making sure that filters stay clean etc. Newer units these days come with updated thermostats that are as efficient as the nest. Just thought I’d share :)
YoungHouseLove says
Very interesting info! Thanks for sharing!
xo
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heather says
I’m on the gas-stove wagon. In fact when we looked at houses years and years ago I wouldn’t even entertain a house that had an electric stove and zero way to reasonably hook up a stove using propane (we don’t have natural gas anyway). I know it’s dangerous to some people, but so is an electrical short, or driving to work everyday or…you get the point. I had an electric stove in my college apartment and I huh-at-ed it. Everyone has a risk and reward system and cooking on gas is amazing.
Megan CC says
I LOVE having a gas stove. I grew up in CA and don’t remember anyone I know having electric (maybe it’s a west coast norm?), so I was suprised when I moved to Ohio last year and didn’t see a gas stove (or dryer) in any of the homes I’ve been in. We bit the bullet and paid a plumber to install a gas line from the basement for the dryer and up through the floor to the kitchen. It was hard to write that check, but I’m soooo happy we did. I hated cooking on the electric stove that came with the house! I guess it is a personal preference though, my sister in law has electric and thinks it’s fine.
Nancy says
I upgraded to a gas stove after many years using an electric stove, and I do not like it. The oven does not bake as well as electric. When I run the self cleaning every smoke alarm in the house goes off (my poor dog hates it). The flames on the burners get blown around when the air conditioner comes on ( we live in Arizona and the vents are in the ceilings so it blows down on you). I’ve learned to live with it but next house will have an electric stove. So there are at least two people who don’t like gas.
YoungHouseLove says
So interesting! Love all the info guys!
xo
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Kristen says
Three people who don’t like gas! I grew up with electric stoves and I just moved into a new place with a gas stove. It honestly terrifies me. Maybe it’s partially the set up. It has no vent hood or anything so we have to open the windows whenever we cook. Also, it smells terrible whenever it’s on sooo I think I need to have the gas company check that out.
I’m honestly so scared to cook anything with it. I’m a baby.
YoungHouseLove says
Eeks! I would get that checked out for sure. Stay safe Kristen!
xo
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Kim says
Weighing in on the gas stove debate. I would not even consider living somewhere with an electric stove. I love to cook and gas is the only way to accurately control the heat. I’m curious to know if anyone who considers themselves a great home cook would prefer electric. I’ve always thought that the skill level of the cook would affect the preference.
beth says
I had a gas cooktop installed in my house to replace the electric. I think I will go back to electric on our next kitchen renos. I have become a canner and find that the gas doesn’t go to a low enough heat. Also if you have breezes going through or fans on, it moves the flames making the heat uneven. I had gas in my first house and really liked it, hence putting it in this house. But now not so sold on it.
Lisa E says
I don’t like to cook ;) but I’m a gas stover lover as well. Have had both. Our last range was electric with the smooth top. We bought new over a year ago and went with our preference of gas, but it has an electric oven. Although yes, you have to remove the grates (three big ones) it is so easy to clean. My sister visited from out of state in the fall and went on and on how easy it was to clean. I actually find it easier than the smooth top I had. It’s all personal preference.
Martha says
I agree – get a gas stove! I grew up with one and love the heat control so much better. My husband and I rent and there are few gas stoves to be found in rental units in our area. Can’t wait to buy a house one day and get a gas stove.
Rachel says
I am completely in the gas hob and oven camp. I hated having an electric stove in our last house. It is so hard to control when cooking and there is no way ro have a delicate touch when needed (such as bring something to the boil then turn down to a gentle simmer) due to residule heat. I am so so glad to have gas appliances now for both speed and accuracy.
Kate says
About the “great home cooks prefer gas” point… I worked as the full-time cook on a sailboat with an antique, cast-iron woodstove which required feeding the flames and moving pots around the cooktop to hot/warm zones. I now live in a rental with a glass-top electric stove but have also lived with gas, and I think you can make good food wherever you are! It’s about watching the pots and food for doneness and gaining experience with your equipment. Don’t give up hope if you can’t afford the “professional” upgrade and nobody should feel bad about preferences for different setups!
meta says
Is induction cooktop widely available in USA? We live in Switzerland and we LOOOOVE our induction cooktop. It’s super fast to get hot/warm, and MUCH safer as it doesn’t deal with gas and flame, and the top doesn’t burn. Cleaning the surface takes seconds and it becomes a regular kitchen counter when not in use for cooking. We do need to change our pans and woks to the induction ones (steel). But we can also use a special plate “adapter” for the non-steel untensils. We almost never had power knock out though.
Amanda says
Just wanted to respond about using a gas stove when the power is out. We just bought a new double oven 2 years ago, but it does not work when the power is out. It has some type of a safety on it that won’t allow any gas to flow if it is not plugged in. I’m sure this won’t be a concern for you based on where you live, but if someone is considering using gas for that reason, best to check your oven first!
YoungHouseLove says
Great tips and thoughts everyone! Thanks so much for sharing!
xo
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cheri s in iowa says
I’ll weigh in as an “excellent home cook.” I have an electric, and recently upgraded to a flat top. It’s so easy for cleanup, I can’t imagine going back to anything else. I do think the thing that makes the difference is having excellent cookware. High grade steel with double walled bottoms. I honestly don’t know how anybody gets along without them. A good set might cost you as much as the stove itself, but they last a life time.
Wendy (New Moms Talk) says
Since we bought our home in September, we’ve spent most of our time redoing the yard. Many days we work 4-7 hours on the almost acre lot, and we can do it becausr we both work from home.
Our one big splurge will be having someone remove the ponds and level the former desert greenhouse area.
Our discussions about the interior are framed with the context that this home will likely be a part time home as my hub’s writing will necessitate a move in a few years.
So we scout garage sales for hidden gems that can be redone ($3 pedestal side table) and save for bigger ones (quality gutters).
Christi says
We just had our yard re-done and our real estate agent said besides the kitchen it was the best re-sell feature in Phoenix. So that was our “big” splurge…
YoungHouseLove says
So awesome!
xo
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Rebecca says
typo – should be “room” under “Possible Future Splurges’ 2nd bullet.
But on this point our gas fireplace starter kicked the bucket 2 years ago. I really wanted to move to a fireplace insert so we could benefit from the heat a fire creates, not just the beauty, but choked on the cost of inserts installed. Eek $3-4k! Just last week settled on a ventless gas log set. Installed this costs $1,500 and does exactly what I need. Ventless gas log sets can run on a remote, give off heat and costs 1/2-1/3 less then inserts. Just a thought :)!
Rebecca says
like my typos? ;)
YoungHouseLove says
I knew what you meant ;)
xo
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YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Rebecca! Never knew that!
xo
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Kelly {the Centsible Life} says
Sherry I’m curious why you don’t use wood logs in the fireplace? We have had wood-burning fireplaces in both our homes and love them. When the kids were little we didn’t use it as often, but I find them so cozy!
YoungHouseLove says
We had a wood one and a gas one in our first house (so lucky, right?!) and we just found that in 4.5 years there we never used the wood one but always loved popping the gas one on. I think a wood-burning fireplace is so cozy when someone else is gathering the wood/making it/cleaning it up though. Haha!
xo
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Katie says
Since you know Toto’s are fabulous (I have two waiting to be installed) and since they can be purchased for $250, why didn’t you replace your toilet when you had back ups in the shower and John was going plunger crazy?
Also, no matter how cheap they were, those kitchen chairs will never be a good buy. The built-ins can be saved though! Don’t make your baby live in an office!
YoungHouseLove says
We knew that plumbing issue went deeper than just the toilet (in our case it was the pipes and their backgraded angle) so alas, even a Toto couldn’t have helped us with that problem. Although we do plan to replace the original toilet with something newer and more efficient when we do the master reno down the line!
xo
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Heidi says
I found this list to be really helpful. My husband and I definitely splurged on some things during our kitchen renovation (hello marble back splash and shiny dual oven!), but then we painted ourselves and installed wood floors ourselves to keep some of the costs down. Sure, our renovation was still expensive, but this is our 30 year house so it’s worth it to us.
Splurge versus save is such a personal matter because other people might not care about having a premium gas range, but that was a high priority to me. It’s all personal perspective and it was great to read yours. Thanks!
http://jax-and-jewels.blogspot.com
YoungHouseLove says
Love that! You’re so right that it completely varies by the person! One person’s splurge is another person’s save :)
xo
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Lil says
When we overhauled our master bath (sooner than we planned because the shower was leaking), we spent about $2 a square foot on the wall tile (6×8 (?) subway tile from Lowes) and simple hex tile for the floor, but splurged on a European glass door. There was no other way to get that super clean open feel that the European glass doors provide. They have the tiniest little bevel on the edges that feels like jewelry and they make me smile every time I see them…a year later.
Thanks for the post. I love that you put your RH table in the splurge category even though you got it for 70% off…so me!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Lil!
xo
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Stacey says
Amazing how much you’ve accomplished since you moved in (and before!). The hardwoods were a great decision and your front foyer is so bright and cheery. I bet you can’t wait to spend time on your back deck!
YoungHouseLove says
Yes! We’re about to get slammed with snow (Clara’s very excited) but I can’t wait for sunny deck days!
xo
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Jen says
I hope is is an ok post to ask this question on. I know you guys have the Karlstad sofa from IKEA, my husband and I are looking at the soderhamn sofa that they have there. It’s different, but it is a modular sofa like the Karlstad. My question is how difficult was it to put together? Also does anyone reading have experience with this sofa? Thanks.
YoungHouseLove says
We had no issue putting our Karlstad together. It took a little while just to get the covers on each of the ten million cushions, but nothing was too hard and everything lined up. Anyone else have info for Jen?!
xo
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Courtney says
I just got my Karlstad sectional yesterday. Being impatient, I couldn’t wait for my bf to get home to help me. It was super easy and took me about 2.5 hours to put together by myself. Honestly, the hardest part for me was thinking the legs screwed into the dowel hole. I had it backwards for 10 minutes before I figured it out. If the soderhamn is anything like karlstad it shouldn’t be hard at all. You can download the instructions from Ikea’s website too to check it out before you buy.
Amanda says
We have a Karlstad sofa as well (but didn’t go modular yet). The regular size sofa took me 45 minutes to put together (from opening boxes to sitting on it) alone. I’m a pretty small woman and I found the whole process to be easy and nothing was too heavy. I would wager the other ikea sofa’s are of similar difficulty.
Amber says
Random…..but I was wondering, your lovely white frames you use, are they Pottery Barn or have you found a more inexpensive knock-off? I love them but they can be so pricey.
YoungHouseLove says
Ikea! We love that they come with mats. We also get them on clearance at Target sometimes and even at yard sales (you can paint them or stain them if they’re not the color you like).
xo
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T says
Sherry – Since you mentioned painting/staining frames, do you have any tips for doing this on frames that aren’t solid wood? (or that have a weird finish?) I spent hours once stripping an Ikea frame of its plastic-y coating so I could paint the fiberboard underneath when I realized I didn’t actually want it to be white… definitely not an experience I’ll be repeating.
Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man, I’d just use a good spray primer and spray paint (either in oil-rubbed bronze or white or a color you’d like) and hopefully that would stick nicely. That seems to have worked in the past (sometimes I’ll sand something to rough it up before spray-priming).
xo
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sarina says
Another good thing to keep in mind is “can you do it yourself and get a professional finish”?
It’s kindof like when I go out to eat.. I try to order things that are difficult to make at home.. either because the technique is complicated.. or it requires a lot of specialty ingredients I don’t have.. and don’t want to buy.
I try to do things myself if I can get basically the same fit/finish that would result if a professional did it. I know we have all been in homes for sale where the owner’s DIY projects were obviously going to have to be redone.. or painted over.. etc.
The other thing you sometimes have to do is make that gut check decision.. can I live with the cheaper alternative? Like the curtain example. If you do a lot of searching.. you can almost always find an alternative with the same/similar look. I get coastal living and they always have these furniture and decor items that cost hundreds and thousands of dollars. I can usually go on amazon and find really similar feel pieces..
One thing I have splurged on.. a good mattress.. you spend a lot of time on that!
YoungHouseLove says
Love that tip!
xo
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Alexandra says
I can totally relate. I am a “thrifty” girl. I look for ways to refurbish existing pieces and find sales on new items. In the fall, we tore out 40 year old azalea and other bushes that were over taking our yard. I actually started that by using a shovel. Eventually, I talked my husband into renting a skid steer to finish the job (there were close to 100 bushes). That was the best $400 we ever spent! We then splurged on sod but saved by laying it ourselves. This spring we will plant new foundation bushes. I can’t wait to get this done. I also tagged you last month on twitter with my upper cabinet take down. I haven’t finished yet. The weather on the weekends is not cooperating to set up the tile saw outside. My garage is jam packed at the moment, so no using it in there!
YoungHouseLove says
You’ve been so busy Alexandra! Congrats on all of that project crossing-off!
xo
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Jessica M says
We took a different route and decided that we weren’t going to splurge on anything for the first year. We’re in our home 9 months.
Before we moved in, we were staying with our parents and my bedroom was stacked floor to ceiling with home wares that I had been saving up for 6 months before we even got the house.
We bought everything on sale or clearance, curtains, rugs, bedding, tableware. The paint was the best saving, as it was Buy one get one free on all dulux paint and the paint happened to be half price also (so technically we paid only 25% for what should have been full price, I think…math isn’t my strong point) so we got the paint for the entire house for €130 which is the equivalent to 176 US dollars.
We stuck with all the appliances that were left in the house, the kitchen was already fitted and tiled. All we had to do was paint the whole place, furnish it, buy wall art etc.
Our budget was €5000, we came in at €4400.
Out of that €4400, Furniture came to only €1,900.
This included 2 beds and mattresses, 5 wooden beside lockers to cover our own room and guest rooms, a dresser, a large L shaped sofa for the living room, a TV unit, 3 book cases, a coffee table for the kitchen, 2 highstools, a leather sofa for the kitchen, and another storage unit for the living room to compliment the furniture we already had.
It took weeks of haggling, coupon saving, scouring the web for special deals and a lot of hoarding in my old bedroom in the family home.
We saved money by doing all the work ourselves, painting, assembling the furniture and collecting it where we could to cut down on hired transport costs.
My mam taught me to be thrifty :) We didn’t have a lot starting out so I’m glad I took the time to try and save where I could.
Next year we are going to start our savings fund for new appliances and a bathroom makeover. In the meantime we are pretty happy as we are :)
YoungHouseLove says
Love that! Such a cool approach Jessica!
xo
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christine says
Do you guys have the nest smoke detectors? I’ve been hearing a lot about those recently.
p.s. Typo in this line: Adding a gas insert to the living from fireplace
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Christine! All fixed! As for the Nest smoke detectors, we don’t have them but we hear they’re awesome.
xo
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Kelly {the Centsible Life} says
Our solution has always been to save up and do the updates we truly want instead of bothering with temporary fixes. That sometimes means our house isn’t as lovely as I’d like it to be, but in the areas we have done that I’m very happy with the results.
Most often though we end up having to ‘splurge’ on boring things like upgrading our electrical system or replacing the hot water heater. While I was kicking myself for spending $5,000 on tree removal this year with our recent ice storm/power outage I’m glad we did! It could have been much worse.
Like you though we often save on bigger purchases through a variety of methods-sales, thrifting, outlet shopping, DIY, etc.
In the end I think we make the choices that best suit us and that fit our budget. Even if that means some areas of our house haven’t gotten the love yet (I’m looking at you kitchen).
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I love that last parenthetical that’s directed at the kitchen. They can be tough rooms to live with when they’re desperate for updates, can’t they?!
xo
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Kelly {the Centsible Life} says
Let’s just not talk about it, ok? Someday I’ll show you pictures and you’ll be horrified. It’s that bad.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw Kelly – just remember that the best afters come from truly horrible befores. That’s what we say to cheer ourselves up sometimes. Haha!
xo
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Kate F. says
Question: How much do you miss your veranda? Come on spring, amirite?
I am the gal who sent you the link to our sun room last year when you were debating how to pitch your ceiling out there. We are so close being done with our sun room, the new laminate floor goes in this weekend! It has been a long road since NOVA trade costs meant that we DIY’d all of it ourselves which wasn’t the original plan. Of course, when we are 100% done, I will share all the details, but seeing a pic of your finished space today motivated me for this big floor install coming my way!
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, COME ON SPRING! And I totally remember you sending that picture. So exciting that you’re close to being done!
xo
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Carol says
We are just finishing up our extremely cheap kitchen remodel (thanks to my cabinet-maker father-in-law who slipped our new doors in with a larger order)and splurged on tile for the backsplash. It ended up costing more than the rest of the upgrades together, but we wanted the upgrade to look more expensive than the $600 we put into it. I’ll probably end up pressing my face against it a-la-Sherry with the penny tile!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha! You have to show the tile that you care ;)
xo
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Alison says
Quick edit- Adding a gas insert to the living from fireplace…I think you meant living room. :-)
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Alison! All fixed!
xo
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Megan @ Rappsody in Rooms says
What a great post! I love how you thoughtfully explained this. A lot of ideas to mull over now!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Megan!
xo
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Steph says
LOVE this. I think literally the only splurge I personally have made for this house was the living room rug. I still got it on discount but I bought it from West Elm and it was way more than I ever thought I’d spend on a rug but it’s amazing. It’s neutral and pretty but still has personality and is basically IMPOSSIBLE TO STAIN. Which is huge, because my friends are really good at spilling beer. :)
Granted my parents bought me a couple of the splurges as a congrats on your first home thing but even still my bed & couch they bought were relatively cheap in comparison to others that are out there.
Also, I’m kind of obsessed with the Nest and you guys just keep convincing me that once I have the money I should get it. I feel like I’d really love it.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man, we’re like the unofficial presidents of the imaginary nest fan club! Lookout, I’m going to tell you how much I love it at any party. Guaranteed.
xo
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betty says
you will love it, steph! I got the Nest, as well, and love everything about it! As a VERY beginner DIY-er, I was worried installation wouldn’t be easy, but it only took me a few minutes! I love being able to warm the house up when i’m on my way home and its only 9* outside. the scheduler is awesome too!
Meredith says
I bought my first house in September, and needed a LOT in the way of furnishings. The splurge/save worked out really well for me; I found great, mid-century modern dressers at Salvation Army for a steal, but I really wanted a particular bed frame from Crate & Barrel. I was able to get it on sale and using a coupon for an extra 10% off, but it was still a “splurge” for me. In my living room, I got a GORGEOUS leather couch and ottoman on Craigslist for $250 (seriously my best score ever; I loooooove it). I needed an accent chair, though, and I ordered one from Thrive because it fit with my aesthetic perfectly. 5 months later and no regrets! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Love that!
xo
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Julie says
You will LOVE the heated tile. My husband put that in our master bath in our house in Nebraska and it was won.der.ful.
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds awesome!
xo
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Audrey says
this is something i think about all the time. I still have my mother’s old dinning table and chairs (the are big wicker ones) because she upgraded. Now, i dont love them, but they are still in great shape, and just need a new paint job.
katie says
This is so helpful! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
A somewhat related question…we are in the process of buying a “turn key” house that needs a little TLC but not too much. Its not our forever home but we do plan on being there for 5-10 years. I’m struggling with updates/renovations that would be nice but maybe aren’t worth it if we plan on reselling it. For example – the kitchen is not terrible but I have an idea of what I would change if we could. Did you ever consider resale value in updates in your previous homes? I guess I’m thinking of your prior house’s kitchen where maybe if it was your forever home you would have splurged on floors and new cabinets? Or in your first home where you paid for the full renovation but then sold it. I am thinking if we redid this kitchen rather than get custom cabinetry, go a slightly cheaper route (maybe ikea?) so we get the asthetic appeal but aren’t paying for someone elses kitchen when we move? Does any of this make sense??
Sorry! And thank you so much for helping me feel better about owning a home – every few days I get panicked that I have no idea what I am doing :)
YoungHouseLove says
I think it can definitely be tricky! We probably over-improved our first house (I naively thought I’d be there forever, even with only one full bathroom, haha) and while we replaced the floors and counters in our last kitchen we did work with the existing cabinets which saved us money. I would say in your position that 5-10 years is still substantial, so maybe talk to a realtor about what updates will be something you can recoup. For example, spending 1-2K spent on new counters that you can enjoy for a decade and that will make your kitchen feel updated might we completely re-gained in your selling price since that update is something people in your area might be willing to pay for. Good luck Katie!
xo
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Martha says
I agree with Sherry – and 5 to 10 years is a big range. 5 years doesn’t seem like a lot, but 10 years is double that.
bethb says
Hey, I’m not sure how relevant this is to you guys but… I just found out that there is a seed share located at the Richmond library and that it is FREE to take and give seeds. You do have to replace the seeds you use once the plant harvests or booms because it is a borrowing system BUT I thought it would totally be a good way to maybe get some free plants for privacy, herb growing, and/or veggie growing. I wasn’t sure if you guys were going to try another food garden or not and I’m not sure what kind of shrubs and flowers they have available because I haven’t gone yet but I thought it might be another good way to cut a bit of costs. If you don’t mind harvesting the seeds later that is. :)
YoungHouseLove says
That’s awesome! Since we have such close four-legged friends here (deer that chill in our front and backyard every day) we’re not sure what we can grow that they won’t consume like a buffet, but I love that tip! We’ve heard some herbs like lavender aren’t of interest to them, so we’ll have to check it out!
xo
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Elizabeth says
This sounds awesome. Any idea if they do this in other areas (like maybe… Orlando?) I would love something like this.
YoungHouseLove says
Anyone have info for Elizabeth in the Orlando area?
xo
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JG says
In our area they have an awesome free plant swap twice a year! You bring at least one plant or plant-related item (tools, seeds, containers,etc) and then take whatever you like! It is great for getting rid of plants you dont love or that are spreading or too huge, and great for getting plants! All for free, and it is huge every year. It would be awesome if the idea spread!
YoungHouseLove says
So awesome!!
xo
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Sara says
For some reason, I always have trouble splurging on area rugs, even though I’ve most certainly learned my lesson on this one. I found a fun chevron area rug for our son’s first nursery at Urban Outfitters for $75, but after almost two years of use by a baby and busy parents (and a dog), it definitely hasn’t held up well.
Thanks for the thought-provoking post, J+S!
YoungHouseLove says
You’re welcome Sara! Happy rug hunting!
xo
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Lisa | Winter Heights says
I usually just look for the current needs in our house (oh, there’s lots!) to decide what to look to purchase next. Like yesterday I’m feeding our baby boy and I realize our hand-me-down kitchen chairs are seriously one day gonna break out from under us. So that’s next on my list, lol. We’re not big splurgers, it’s just not in our budget to splurge but I love to look at your splurges! :))
Amanda says
Love this post! We live in a tiny apartment right now, but are updating furnishings and other non permanent things as we can. It’s hard to balance save and splurge!
Would y’all consider doing an update on the around the home items you use (laundry detergent, cleaners, etc)? We’re becoming very eco minded and would love to hear what y’all recommend/don’t like!
YoungHouseLove says
We actually did an update a little while back and we’re still using the same stuff. Hope it helps!
xo
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Amanda says
Thanks! I did look at that a while back, and was wondering if it was the same stuff. Sounds like it is :)
YoungHouseLove says
Yup, we’re creatures of habit. Haha!
xo
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Pixie Ronn says
I love this post, it’s interesting to read what is a splurge/save to others. Your splurge on the stair runner is lovely – one I hope to also splurge on in the near future too!
So glad I found your blog!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Pixie Ronn!
xo
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Nikki H says
I love what y’all are doing. You are so inspiring, even, or especially, to this old retired couple who just moved into the house of our dreams. So far, the gel staining of the cabinets is coming along great! We’ve made a decision on the granite and are looking forward to making this house our home. Thanks for all the tips.
YoungHouseLove says
So glad! Good luck with everything Nikki!
xo
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Natalie Gonzalez says
This is so helpful and really resonantes with the way we approach home updates. (We also have to consider that this is likely not our forever home, but we hope to own it long-term as a rental property, so that obviously impacts our choices.) Thanks for the tips and insight!
YoungHouseLove says
Of course! Good luck with everything Natalie!
xo
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Kim Hall says
I’m glad you guys did a post like this. I definitely think there is a lot of blurred lines in the splurge category because you do the work yourself, which is awesome. I love everything you’ve done to your new house so far. It looks amazing!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Kim!
xo
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Jess says
First off I’m curious – how’s the refreshed grout treatment holding up? I’d like to do my fireplace hearth but want to see how it works for you first.
Anyway, we’re 3 years into an ongoing renovation, biggest splurge so far: Breaking through a brick wall and installing a door into the attached garage so we can walk directly from house to garage instead of bumbling outside first when it’s 3 freaking degrees. All told it cost us $2200 for one new door and to patch up the old door we removed. The actual door was only $120 of that! We had quotes over $5k for this job, so in the end I guess we came out on top.
We just spent $11k on new windows for the entire house, but for some reason the door thing sticks out worse for me.
YoungHouseLove says
The grout still looks great! We haven’t even gotten around to sealing it but there have been no stains or wear spots or anything. Really happy with it so far! As for your door addition, I can totally relate to cringing when you think about the cost breakdown of something, but it sounds really functional!
xo
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heather says
I hear you guys on how a splurge to one person can be a savings to another, etc. Our recent splurge was a new leather couch and chairs from a local place. They would have been $1,600 for just the couch from the retailer, but we got the couch and the chair for $799 because the chair had a little damage to it. The couch is in perfect condition. It was still a splurge though. Our BIG splurge (besides the house and our used suburban) will be when we buy our sawmill which will likely be around $3,000. Affordable in the realm of sawmills, but it’s no small pennies to us. As far as house decor though we haven’t splurged on much. I have wine taste on a beer budget. I tend to like expensive things but I just cannot pull myself to ever buy them.
Also, I think we I might be the only person who is posting about sawmills ever on YHL. I own it.
YoungHouseLove says
Hahahahaha! And I love you for it Heather.
xo
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Lin says
My problem with phase I & phase II as well as saving so I can splurge in the future is that my husband likes phase I just fine and then never wants to go to phase II. He would love the bathroom phase I you did and would want it to stay forever more…
Do you always agree on the plan before you start?
YoungHouseLove says
I would try to have a few deep conversations about what you want functionally from a room before you start. For example, as much as we like the small upgrades that we made in our sink nook and the nearby master bathroom, we have both agreed that it’s crazy to have one sink separated from another sink by a wall and we’d much rather have one large bathroom area than a choppy separate-sink-next-to-another-room-with-a-sink situation. So going into Phase 1, we knew that down the line to make it more functional we’d definitely be knocking down that wall – which makes Phase 1 just an interim project that we both agreed upon. It really does help to chat before you start you’re both on the same page.
xo
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Christine says
Guys, this was a very interesting read! In fact, we apply the same kind of philosophies around our house. Leather furniture was a splurge because we have six kids and it’s built to last, but a vintage coffee table in the same room came from the thrift shop for $15. We hired out installation of new kitchen cabinets, but tore out the old ourselves and did all the tiling of floor and back splash to save.
And a toilet can definitely change your life. We just finished renovating the main bath in our home, and found a $600 American Standard Champion Pro at our local freight recovery store for $100, brand new. That thing will flush an entire bucket of golf balls. Yep, life changing when you have a teenage boy living at home.
YoungHouseLove says
HOLY COW! Now that’s a toilet.
xo
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Deanna says
Loved this post. My husband has been talking about the Nest for some time now. Very happy to hear how much everyone loves it.
This summer we splurged on a wood-burning insert for our fireplace. Discounted for summer but still pricey. And like Kelly, we had to remove a lot of trees last year. (12 of them) Well now with this crazy cold winter we are experiencing here in Indiana the wood burning insert and all that firewood from the trees have been a huge help in keeping the heating bills down.
And I love that because it is enclosed we can keep the fire burning throughout the night.
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds so cozy!
xo
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Michelle at Making Sense of Cents says
Love this post, and I love how awesome your home looks. It’s definitely what I want our next home to look like!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Michelle, you’re so sweet!
xo
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Jodi says
Hi! Are you going to do an update on the washer and dryer? Would love to hear how it is working!
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, I’ll have to work one in soon! It arrived on Sat and has been awesome so far!
xo
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Amanda says
We splurge based on what we save. We were able to do a renovation on our kitchen by getting second-hand solid wood cabinets and Corian counter tops for free, which allowed us to splurge on the fancy-schmancy sink and faucet as well as the light fixtures. If we would have had to buy new cabinets and counters (the ones in the house originally were not salvageable in the least), we would have gone with much cheaper accessories. This is how we handle most of our home improvement projects when it comes to spending. We’ll be doing the same for our master bath.
YoungHouseLove says
That’s awesome! Sounds like a really nice balance.
xo
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Andrea says
If I asked this question I would want to know what people splurge on in day-to-day life. So do you splurge on going out to restaurants, fancy organic groceries, entertainment, buying a new car instead of used? Designer clothes for you or for Clara? Can you do a post like this?!
YoungHouseLove says
We actually did a post this past summer, but it was more about what we skip (some are things that other people might splurge on though), so here’s that link for ya: https://www.younghouselove.com/skipit/
I’d guess that 95% of our splurges are house-related things (like the ones in this list) since we save in tons of other ways (driving a car until it has 200,000 miles, only having one car, cooking at home a lot, not buying designer clothes, etc) but we do try to save up for a nice vacation once every few years (although many of those are road trips to save airfare, and we’ll find room deals to make them more affordable).
xo
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Ashley S says
Love this! Except what you call “splurge” I tell my husband is “saving money in the long run”. :-) It helps me sell some of my big picture purchases to him. I would much rather spend the more money upfront and be happy with something for years to come than spent less money and spend years replacing something over and over.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey, it’s the truth, so I don’t think you’re lying when you say that ;)
xo
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Marianne in Mo. says
After 39 years of wedded bliss and over 9 sofas during that time ( all inexpensive ) we finally treated ourselves to a “forever” leather one. Loved the comfort of the showroom piece, and we actually agreed on its looks and comfort, which is no easy task for us. After three years, it rarely gets Sat on by either of us, because the showroom one and ours don’t have the same comfort. We thought it was the newness, so gave it a good go, but still was not as we hoped. So I guess it will be a forever sofa, since it never gets used! But it sure is a pretty thing! ;-) We don’t usually splurge on anything, hubby is way thrifty, to a fault!
YoungHouseLove says
OH NO! So sorry Marianne! You need to hire ten kids and dogs to come over and break that baby in for you ;)
xo
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Michela says
Thanks so much for the great post! I’ve been half-seriously house hunting (although it probably won’t be for another year or so, after I finish grad school), and this really helps me frame what would or wouldn’t be a dealbreaker in the older homes I’m finding.
In that vein, would you guys consider doing a “how we save money” post sometime soon? It’s been awhile since you’ve done one (and they’re always my favorite!!), and I’m curious what’s changed since moving to a new house, expecting Baby #2, etc.
Thanks for your insight, as always!
xoMichela
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Michela! I think the most recent one we did was from this past summer, so you can check that out here: https://www.younghouselove.com/skipit/ – I’ll have to think if there’s anything else to add (some of these things have been so consistent for years that we’ve chatted about them all already). I’m sure when baby #2 gets here we’ll have some more changes though. Ahh, I can’t believe it’s just a few more months. So excited to hold that little man in my arms.
xo
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Diane says
I can’t imagine moving into a house and getting everything new. It’s what makes the home so special to add yourself to it. Just like John’s bookcases, in the nursery, the story behind that project will always be told. I think its fun to come up with your own way to achieve what you want…its the fun of the trip!!
Lindsey says
In my living room, I splurged on a gorgeous, comfy sofa and reclaimed wood-and-metal table to sit behind it (that angle is visible from the dining area), yet got my lamps at Homegoods, the media center from Big Lots, and the rug (a West Elm) from craigslist. The sofa is the first biggest thing you notice in the room, and the wood looks so great against it that those two were definitely worth the money.
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds beautiful!
xo
s