Practical Expenses vs. Fun

So, the DH and I are getting a nice tax return and we decided to give ourselves a little money to choose to spend now and then we'll save the rest. Of course, the husband knows exactly what he wants and it's a fun thing for his computer. I on the other hand am conflicted between buying something just flat out fun (clothes, electronics) and buying something that makes our lives easier (portable washer). We live on a third floor walk up and the laundry is in the basement. The laundry is an absolute ripoff but I refuse to haul our clothes to a laundromat because it's just even more work for not that much less. So the portable washer is very tempting to keep our laundry under control (we also don't pay for water so it wouldn't jack that up).

What would you do? Something just for fun or something that could make life easier but isn't really "fun". . .

[lovelight]

Tough choice. I think though I'd like to buy the fun item for myself I always let my practical side win out. After having a washer in house, I can't imagine toting clothes back and forth again. Would the washer take up the whole amount or would you still be able to buy a shirt/outfit or two?

[GreyhoundsRUs]

Maybe I'm misreading - but why does you part need to be used for something practical? Does he not dirty his clothes? Buy the washer and split the leftover money for fun!

Maybe I'm misreading - but why does you part need to be used for something practical? Does he not dirty his clothes? Buy the washer and split the leftover money for fun!

He knew what he wanted immediately so I'm not going to take that away from him and I'm the one who thinks the portable washer would actually work well enough to be worth the investment.
He's willing to contribute his leftover money to the washer so I'd have a little bit of "pure fun" money but not much.
We just got married a year ago (our anniversary was in March) and we're both young so it's hard to choose the practical things sometimes.
Especially since we've been pretty conservative in this first year of residency. Most of our money has gone towards everyday expenses and furnishing an apartment since neither of us had anything when we got married!

[peggyfromwastate]

I have no opinion bc my husband isn't allowed to decide how to spend any $$.

Just kidding. Sort of. But if you guys decided to split a certain amount of the return then I'd just go for fun stuff then I'd ask my dh to cart the laundry around (we have a 3 story townhouse and I have him cart laundry from upstairs rooms to basement laundry all the time). That way he could share in the fun of taking laundry up and down steps.

I have no opinion bc my husband isn't allowed to decide how to spend any $$.

Haha! Just snorted into my water bottle reading that!
When he's not on a rough rotation he does help out alot with the laundry and cleaning. I'm very tempted to just go for the fun and deal with the washer later . . .

[Momo]

Being the laundry freak that I am, I say get the washer & jar the $$ (that you will save from not having to use the rip off machines) and lable the Jar "your FUN $$." I'm sure in time it will add up!

[MrsPotts]

How long do you plan on staying at your current place with the laundry in the basement? It's hard for me to think of spending money on something portable that you may have to get rid of when you move somewhere with a washer/dryer! Think that you may be able to stick it out!? Go for something fun!

[houseelf]

How long do you plan on staying at your current place with the laundry in the basement? It's hard for me to think of spending money on something portable that you may have to get rid of when you move somewhere with a washer/dryer! Think that you may be able to stick it out!? Go for something fun!

Totally agree...this sort of thing probably won't work or you won't need or can't move wherever medicine takes you next.

Being the laundry freak that I am, I say get the washer & jar the $$ (that you will save from not having to use the rip off machines) and lable the Jar "your FUN $$." I'm sure in time it will add up!

Actually, that's a really good idea!
Can you believe it costs us $2.10 to wash and .30 cents for 5 minutes of drying?
Hmmm... I can see the money adding up already!

How long do you plan on staying at your current place with the laundry in the basement?

We have at least another year (we signed a 2 year lease to keep the rent we were offered since the building is rent stabilized) and chances are we would stay in this building and just move apartments within the building to save money on moving. At least until we could buy (which will be never thanks to ungodly real estate prices and taxes in NY). Also, most buildings don't have laundry in the apartments... Even when you buy the laundry room may just be on every floor.

I don't see us living somewhere with a washer/dryer for at least 2-3 more years.

[MrsK]

If you get the washer, you'll have more time for fun.

[v-girl]

I'd get the washer and then save laundry money for my fun money.

[SuzySunshine]

I'm guessing even for the two of you that laundry money adds up fast - how much is a portable washer? I'd lean towards that too.

[corn poffi]

Hmmmm...my vote is (always) for fun! How much does a portable washer cost? Maybe you could find a cheaper, used one on craigslist or at a "dent and damage" store, and still have a bit left over for a new pair of shoes or something. Or is it something you could *hint* at for a gift? I hate buying stuff for my apartment, so I always have relatives buy me that kind of stuff for birthdays/holidays...surprisingly, it works well. People love buying practical gifts!

Anyway, I'd go with something fun if I were you, BUT from your comments, it sounds like you're leaning toward the washer, so that might make you happier in the long run!