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What do you think of as luxuries?

(112 Posts)
MamaCaz Tue 29-Oct-19 18:47:47

Yesterday, there was disagreement on another thread about whether a car is a luxury in modern life.

It got me thinking, and I thought it would be interesting to see what things were generally considered luxuries when you were younger, and whether you still think of them as luxuries, or if you now see them as necessities, or at least in some cases, depending on individual circumstances.

For instance, as well as cars, do you still think of central heating, washing machines, a phone in the home, a TV set and vacuum cleaners as luxuries, and why (not)? Feel free to add to that list - it's just to set the ball rolling.

And what sort of things do you now think of as luxuries that might not even have existed when you were younger?

Saggi Wed 30-Oct-19 17:21:23

Never had a car so don’t miss one.
Could easily do without a tv.
My land/line is soon to go, as have mobiles.
I will not EVER be without a washing machine.
I have a drier...am not sure . Would miss it in winter though. Would never want to be without my Microwave.

MawB Wed 30-Oct-19 17:17:04

<sigh> sharon
It is the standard GN emoji to indicate “confused” - confused
I was confused at anybody thinking Food a luxury.
Aren’t you?

NotSpaghetti Wed 30-Oct-19 17:07:37

what things were generally considered luxuries when you were younger?
Foreign holidays. Most definitely. My uncle went abroad for two weeks every summer when I was young. It was all very "exotic". We never did this and it always sounded magical.

My friend started to buy what I thought were luxuries in the early 80s when she went back to work after staying home with her family. In her fridge one day I found flavoured yogurt. My friends and I had always made our own yogurt and kefir so this was a revelation to me. I still remember opening her fridge and seeing it there.

Cambia Wed 30-Oct-19 15:39:07

Business flights but not in BA!
Crisp laundered shirts but not by me
Jo Malone bath oil

Lilyflower Wed 30-Oct-19 15:33:27

Champagne was a luxury only rich people had. However, over the years the price has come down and the DH and I buy various quality Champagnes in bulk when they are on offer (such as Tesco's 25% off when you buy six bottles) and we have a bottle of fizz every Saturday to celebrate the weekend.

We have done this for over twenty years now. Really rich people would look down their noses at our penny pinching but it always makes me feel good and well off.

Is it a luxury? I think it's now a necessity. Oh dear. Jeremy Corbyn won't be pleased.

timetogo2016 Wed 30-Oct-19 15:25:36

Having my grandchildren.
The family are so busy working. when I get the chance to have them ooooohhhh HAPPY DAYS.

Witzend Wed 30-Oct-19 15:13:59

Oh, Sussexborn*, that did strike a chord. Someone I know thinks a very scant, flat spoon of instant makes a cup of coffee. I don't think it's money related - she just likes it like that. But I have to ask her to put at least double her usual in. Really can't bear it so widdly-weak.

Sussexborn Wed 30-Oct-19 14:09:34

Coffee! When we’ve been struggling financially I still had my Tesco coffee filters and OH his Nescafé. OH only drinks coffee and it’s awkward when people offer and then bring out an economy own brand. Thank goodness I drink tea but I much prefer it when you can stand the spoon up in it. Not one tea bag in a six cup teapot as one friend provided. Luckily the kitchen sink was nearby.

sharon103 Wed 30-Oct-19 13:55:04

This one MawB Tue 29-Oct-19 19:51:26
I think that emoji is amusing smile

posset Wed 30-Oct-19 13:50:02

Today's luxuries become tomorrow's necessities!

Witchypoo Wed 30-Oct-19 13:44:02

A luxury for me would be a twin tub washing machine and being able to see my grandsons.

boumau Wed 30-Oct-19 13:29:08

I grew up without a fridge , car, phone, central heating. We changed bedding once a week - on bath night. Each of the ‘gadgets’ is a luxury, as is changing the bed because it’s not dirty (daily showers), just because we fancy fresh bedding!

sarahellenwhitney Wed 30-Oct-19 13:27:21

For myself finding a tasty sweet tomato would be a luxury.
No doubt if I did would be one of those that has not spent days in a warehouse waiting their journey into the UK.

SueDonim Wed 30-Oct-19 13:18:52

A cook/chef would be my ultimate luxury. I get fed up of cooking sometimes.

I do have a cleaner, (though she isn't very good) and also someone to keep the garden in order. We're on a sloping site and dh's arthritis means he can't manage it himself any more.

MaggieMay69 Wed 30-Oct-19 13:16:05

A shower would be a luxury to me....I have been dreaming of one for years, but money always needs to go elsewhere, and the shower that was put in years ago has no pressure, so, I could use it, but only if I like my showers ice-cold, no heat manages to get pumped up...I just don't have anything spare to sort it, or, if I do, something more important goes wrong!

craftyone Wed 30-Oct-19 13:05:19

miele white goods

a car with suportive leather seats and sat nav

making cakes with any number of eggs, it was one egg in the 50s

Buying anything I want, not need, in waitrose

Buttonjugs Wed 30-Oct-19 12:59:27

It’s all relative to the times we live in and advancing technology. A car, mobile phone, central heating, tv and broadband are all necessities now. I would consider a holiday a luxury though, especially abroad. Even more so now we are aware of the environmental impact of flying.

grandtanteJE65 Wed 30-Oct-19 12:56:54

Oh, and I would simply love to be able to afford a gardener, but I am quite happy doing my own cleaning.

grandtanteJE65 Wed 30-Oct-19 12:54:05

No, I certainly do not class a washing machine, dryer, vacuum, deep freeze or fridge as luxuries, and I would never dream of living anywhere that did not have central heating.

We manage quite well without a car, so I suppose we do consider that one would be if not a luxury certainly an unnecessary expense.

To me luxury would be being able to say, "Let's take a short trip to Vienna, Milan, etc. etc. and go to the opera, or to Copenhagen to see the ballet" and to be able to afford the trip and a hotel.

It's not going to happen though, unless we win the lottery, which won't happen either, as we never buy tickets!

Mealybug Wed 30-Oct-19 12:41:53

To me holidays are luxuries as are dishwashers and expensive sound systems. For most a car is a necessity but things like washers, dryers I would consider as essentials.

Anthea1948 Wed 30-Oct-19 12:34:57

Lots of things that would have been considered luxuries when I was a child I confess to now taking for granted.
Luxury for me would be a large bathroom - I don't know why I feel like that, I just do. With soft, fluffy towels, of course, and warm, so that when you come out of the bath or shower you don't stand there shivering.

jenwren Wed 30-Oct-19 12:34:00

Grew up without a car, central heating, washing machine,fridge freezers, or fitted carpets. We would get up for breakfast to an open fire which my mother would make. How did we survive? lol.
What I consider a luxury now is my lovely warm apartment and cruising.

SueDonim Wed 30-Oct-19 12:33:42

When we lived abroad and had household help I did have the luxury of clean bed linen and towels every day. However, guilt at the amount of water and washing powder being used for all that laundering made me put a stop to that little luxury.

EllanVannin Wed 30-Oct-19 12:31:49

Glam, that shop is great and so handy as you say. All my large goods are from there, plus they take away the old item too which can be a pain if you have to find alternate ways.

Destin Wed 30-Oct-19 12:27:04

Luxuries then - first overseas summer holiday (with mum and dad booked with Horizon Holidays in the late 50’s) which included catching a plane and the. a local ferry to get to the hotel!

Luxuries now - I agree that fresh beautiful white sheets (Egyptian 500+ thread cotton) changed daily by someone other than me, always travelling Club class on flights, and always a fresh flower arrangement in the living room,