Sometimes you can save more by splurging

I’ve spent the last 10 years writing articles on how to cut spending, boost savings and generally stick to a frugal lifestyle. But it’s not like I don’t enjoy a treat now and then.

In fact, there are a few things I flat out refuse to cheap out on, even if it means cutting spending in another area of my family’s budget. Here are the top things we splurge on in our house: Astroller: When our first child was born, we were tempted to spend big bucks on a fancy stroller that could convert into a double, but instead opted for a cheaper version of the one we wanted.

We ended up having to buy a whole new stroller a year and a half later when my daughter was born. The old one didn’t hold up very well — and it didn’t convert to what we needed. Good meat: We don’t eat all that much meat in our house. But when we do, we head to a good local butcher.

Some cuts of meat are easily double what they would cost at the grocery store, but grass-fed or organic meats not only taste better, they’re also better for you. You don’t have to buy filet mignon. You can also branch out into cheaper cuts such as flank or skirt steak to bring the price down a bit. Shoes: We’re rough on our shoes — cheap ones don’t last long so we have to go for quality. Otherwise, we’ll end up simply replacing our shoes more frequently, which adds up. Good coffee: This is one of my greatest pleasures of the day, and I’m really particular. I pick up my favourite blend from a local independent coffee shop — and I pay dearly for it.

It’s well worth it, though; that first cup has to set me up for a long and tiring day ahead. Amuseum membership: Every year, we renew our membership to the Royal Ontario Museum. The family membership costs around $150 but we use it often and it lets us bring the kids’ friends from time to time. It’s a great place to while away a cold winter Saturday. Noise-cancelling headphones: Last Christmas, my husband picked me up a pair of Bose noise-cancelling headphones. They cost more than $300 and I thought he was nuts — now I can’t live without them. They feel and look great, and with a house full of kids and a deadline to contend with, those babies keep me sane. Ditto for flights. I put my headphones on and tune it all out. Cut-up squash: Not all pre-prepared vegetables are created equal — for example, I’d never buy broccoli cut into pieces. But squash is one of those vegetables we use a lot in our house and they’re a pain to peel and chop. I pay a bit more and save time and sweat.