Opinions wanted: How do you "live a little"?

Opinions wanted: How do you "live a little"?

During the holidays, there's a huge temptation to "live a little".

Opinions wanted: How do you "live a little"?

    Especially during the holidays, the temptation (and, in many ways, "expectation") to splurge on some of life's convenience or luxury items - otherwise known as "living a little", surface in full swing.  As in rehabilitation, it is often helpful to talk about these vices and get them out in the open, admit to them, and then improve your mastery over your more spendy types of behavior.

    Pouring wine

    Basically, these are times that you aren't so much of a financial bad ass.

    For me, it is primarily food - in the form of going out to eat, especially with my wife's parents who enjoy the restaurant life as much as I do.  We all love taking a trip out to our favorite restaurant somewhere in the area and enjoying an evening of good food and good company.

    But it's not just going out to eat.  We usually all pile into a Honda Ridgeline (gas inefficient) and drive anywhere from 15 or 20 minutes (needlessly far) and dine with at least a bottle of wine (another $40 to $60 added to the bill in drinks).  So, we're talking a couple hundred dollars for the meal, easy.

    This damn stuff is expensive and completely, utterly needless.  But, it's also something that our family enjoys doing once in a while, especially during the holidays.  It's a vice.  It's stupid.  I know we should stop, but hey, I can't control an entire family, right?  :)

    What about you?  What how do you "live a little" and spend a little extra money that you probably shouldn't, especially around the holidays?

    S

    Steve Adcock

    774 posts

    Steves a 38-year-old early retiree who writes about the intersection of happiness and financial independence.