A penny saved is a penny earned, right? But sometimes it’s best not to pinch those aforementioned pennies. Sometimes it’s best to indulge and spend. Yes, dear readers, certain situations call for everyone, bachelors and betrothed alike, to NOT be frugal.
BIRTH CONTROL: Sale on Peruvian condoms at the Duane Reade, huh? Reduced price on the vegan organic sheepskins, eh? Stop and think a moment. Do you really want the term “50% off” to describe your prophylactic? Sure, the never-on-sale Trojans might run you a few extra bucks today, but rest assured, pilgrim, you’ll save in the long run. You may love kids, you may hate them, but everyone can agree that they’re among the most expensive endeavors one can undertake. Pay full price now on those rubbers and thank us later.
THE FIRST ROUND: Going out to get your drank on can be expensive in any city. But if you’re going to spend on any round, why not make it the one you’re most likely to remember? Drinking might be the only occasion where it’s NOT best to Go Ugly Early. Consider this. It’s Thursday. You’re planning on going out for multiple hours of sustained consumption (or “binge drinking” as your mom calls it). And since you’re a terrible drunk, you probably won’t remember anything past 9:30. It’s fine to end your evening out crushing $2 Milwaukee’s Best until you puke. But why not enjoy a classy microbrew or expressive Chardonnay early on while you’re still semi-conscious?
SHELLFISH: This one’s tricky, because even the best shellfish runs the risk of tearing your insides to shredded wheat. Maybe this primer can help. Local bar is hosting a $1 an oyster happy hour? Yes. Captain Sal Monella’s all-you-can-eat crabfest and truck wash? No. Also, grow up. If you’re going to eat like a college kid, at least spare your intestinal track and fire up some Ramen noodles, you idiot.
ELECTRONICS: Sure, the gas station down the street from you sells a pretty sweet looking DVD player for $15. But believe this, partner, it WILL break much sooner than later. And then how will you watch your $2 deep discount copy of Weekend at Bernie’s?
TATTOOS: Just dying to get another sweet tribal band around your arm? Still really into Smashing Pumpkins and want to permane
ntly tell the world about it through some permanent ink on your shoulder? Hey, look, that’s cool. But the operative word here is ‘permanent,’ as in FOREVER, as in spend the extra cash and get it done right. There’s a school of thought that suggests getting a haircut from stylists in training, as it’s much cheaper, and it’s no big deal if they really screw up, because the hair will grow back. Do NOT apply that thinking to tattoos.
DENTISTRY: Read the part about tattoos, jackass.
TOILET PAPER: Do we need to go over this? If you’re not going to spend money here, then when? You can laugh all the way to the bank, but you’ll be itching and scratching and pulling off little white paper berries the whole way. Your call.
So spend wisely. And remember, when it comes to certain things in life, less is not always more. We now return you to your previously scheduled frugal content.
Thomas Hynes works as a blogger relations manager in New York City. He saves money by riding a bike to work and uses it as an excuse to spend stupidly almost everywhere else. If you buy this round, he'll totally get the next one. 
I absolutely agree about the tattoos. I’ve seen too many that came out horrid because the person wanted to ’save a little money’.
You forgot about hookers! Don’t try to “save a little money” with those either!!
that’s an excellent post. I hereby agree with all points. Frugality, with class.
I’m trying to get up in some of that shrimp, yo.