Four Things We “Waste” Money On

Today’s topic is diving into the personal finance habits of the Chubb family, highlighting four things we consider “wastes” of money. Now, while the term “waste” might have caught your attention, it’s important to note that these expenditures are things we truly value. You might see these areas and think, “Isn’t that a waste of money?” But for us, they bring significant value. The aim here is to provide examples that, while they may seem like frivolous expenses to some, are essential for our well-being and productivity.

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Meal Delivery Service

Context

Let me set the stage. My studio, where I’m often working, is part of my home office, which is separate from our main house. Even though we have a fantastic office in downtown Tampa, I rarely make the trip down there. This leads us to the first expenditure: meal delivery.

Weekly Organic Meals

I subscribe to a meal delivery service that provides me with five healthy, organic lunches every week. My wife usually picks these up on Mondays after school runs, and it feels like magic having lunches ready without the hassle.

Cost Breakdown

• $75 per week: This totals approximately $300 per month.
• Occasional Extra Meals: Sometimes, especially during our son’s busy baseball season, I might add extra meals.

Benefits

1. Time-Saving: Sunday meal prep used to take up half of my day, which, as any parent knows, is valuable time that could be spent with family.
2. Focus at Work: Instead of breaking my work rhythm to make lunch, I can remain in “work mode.”
3. Mental Load Reduction: Think of it like CEOs who wear the same clothes daily to avoid decision fatigue. Not having to think about lunch is a huge relief.

Car Wash Membership

The Florida Lifestyle

After moving to Florida, a car wash membership became essential. It costs $50 monthly, and I use it at least once a week, usually after school drop-off.

Why It Matters

1. Love for a Clean Car: A shiny car is a personal preference.
2. Mess Management: With three kids and extensive car seats, our family car gets dirty quickly. The robust vacuums at the car wash are the only tools strong enough to clean it efficiently.
3. Cost-Efficient: Only one of our cars requires this, so we balance the budget by being frugal in other areas.

Real-Life Impact

With three car seats, our vehicle often looks like a disaster zone filled with crumbs, spills, and anything else you can imagine. Spending $50 a month for a clean car and maintaining a semblance of order is absolutely worth it.

Monthly Massage

Mental and Physical Health

Getting a massage once a month costs around $90, including tips. The massage studio is just a short walk from my house, making it convenient.

Why It’s Important

1. Stress Relief: Life can be stressful, and a massage helps reduce this stress.
2. Physical Recovery: I’m into fitness, and massages help my body recover.
3. Family Benefit: A less stressed dad is a better dad.

Consistency

This isn’t new; even back in Philadelphia, I was consistent with my massages. They make a huge difference in maintaining both my physical and mental well-being.

Mobile Dog Grooming

The Extravagance

Our little Yorkie, who’s over ten years old, gets groomed via a mobile service. The groomer charges about $140 every two months, but the benefits for our family are worth it.

Convenience

1. Less Hassle: Living in Tampa, which is more spread out than Philadelphia, it’s cumbersome to load the kids and dog into the car.
2. Time Management: With school and activities, getting the dog groomed without leaving the house is practical.
3. Happy Wife, Happy Life: This service makes things easier for my wife, and that’s priceless.

Practicality

Considering the alternative of juggling kids and dog grooming appointments, this convenience is value-packed. It frees up time and reduces stress, making it a winning choice for us.

Conclusion

So there you have it, four things that we (the Chubb family) happily “wastes” money on:

1. Meal Delivery Service: Saves time and keeps the workday focused.
2. Car Wash Membership: Maintains cleanliness in a car full of kids.
3. Monthly Massage: Helps with stress relief and recovery.
4. Mobile Dog Grooming: Adds convenience and eases the family routine.

While these might seem like unnecessary expenses to some, they add significant value to our lives. When budgeting, it’s crucial to consider what brings you real value and weigh that against the cost. These expenditures make our lives easier, and we’re happy to invest in them.

 

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Disclosures