Skinting vs splurging, which do you do?

Celestica

Celestica

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Thought this may be an interesting topic for the current economic conditions!:rolleyes: I myself don't own a horse so don't have that much of an input here but I am guilty of skinting money as much as possible! But I've started to think maybe the more expensive products would be better in the long run?

For instance; my short ankel boots were €30, chaps around €15, breeches €45. The only reason these items were chosen were due to being the cheapest in the shop, I could afford to dash out the extra 20-50 but I think I'm just really stingy :o. The only Items I've kind of 'splurged' on are my body protector which was around €160, hat €90 and gloves €30. The items which I splurged on are the only recognisable/popular brands.

So what Items/brands do you tend to splurge or skint on (yourself or your horse)? I'm in need of new everyday chaps and debating with myself whether I should go and buy a pair of €25 chaps or splurge on a pair of pretty ariat ones for €120.
 
Splurged on a good saddle and bridle, skinted buying cheap jodphurs and
e-bay for bits/cooler rug:D
Very basic hat and hi-vis - safe but no fancy stuff
 
I try not to go mad with spending money, but I do like to buy well made, quality items that last.
Most of my horse stuff is years old as a result, but in good nick.

I wont buy cheap crap anymore, as its a false economy. (I dont mind a bargain obviously, but I dont buy tat).

For me, I spent more on some jod boots than I would have liked, this autumn, BUT, I go through boots (sometimes 2/3 pairs in a winter) a lot as Im on my feet all the time and wear them out, and usually have wet feet and holes in my footwear ...this year I had dry feet!
 
Hats and boots I spend money on - I like to feel comfy and safe, and I can't put a value on my head. My current hat was around the £100 mark, but has now done two years and is still fab - so money well spent if you work it out on a weekly basis.

Bridles - I prefer kieffer
 
I am really stingy with everyday jodhpurs. I aim to spend as little as possible. The last pair I bought were kids ones (14-15 years), only cost me £19 and are of decent quality. I'd probably spend more for competition jodhpurs though.

Other than jodhpurs and jackets, I don't buy many other horsey clothes. Primarily because they are a rip off. I see lovely polo shirts, but I refuse to fork out £49 for one. I either buy in the sales, or just wear plain vest tops/t-shirts.

I have splurged on my riding hat, saddle and bridle as they are more important to me.
 
Hats and boots I spend money on - I like to feel comfy and safe, and I can't put a value on my head. My current hat was around the £100 mark, but has now done two years and is still fab - so money well spent if you work it out on a weekly basis.

Bridles - I prefer kieffer and stubben, so not cheap, but my last stubben has done 10 years and is still going, so again I don't mind the money ;)

My everyday saddlecloths are lidls specials - about £6 each and have done about 6 years now, and still going strong ;)

If the kit I want costs money I will splurge - but I will always hunt around for the best prices available. That said, I do keep my horses at home, cut own hay, have a mechanic as a dad for lorry issues, so do save a lot of money that way :)
 
Well as an example I'm just debating if £100 on a hv polo jacket is too much to spend. I'm slightly in love with it. I do love love love a bargain and refuse to pay full price for joules.
 
Used to splurge prior to being a mum, now skint. My pony has a ridiculous collection of stuff from pre child years, so if say a nz gets ripped I just dig out another & its all good quality stuff. Bought decent 2nd hand stuff for daughters pony but will splurge if daughter wants stuff for bday, Xmas. In fact always skint for me & splurge on daughter. Things like tack, rugs etc its worth splurging, stuff like buckets, storage boxes etc i'm a stinge. Think basically i'm a splurger confined to skinting at the mo.
 
Holly_09 said:
Stingy! Would love to have the money to splurge though.

How's the share going btw? :D
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oooh was meaning to pm you recently actually! :D If I finally get a share/loan it won't be until the summer :mad: Currently deciding between two riding schools that I got to though.

Yard 1 I love all the horses, very quiet place I'd be the only livery along with my friend, 60x40 indoor with 60x40 outdoor loads of hacking and xc and only €50 a week for full livery including 2 lessons. Have to take a 20 minute bus into town then 30 minute bus to the village and a 20 minute walk to the yard from there on the days I can't get a lift (most days :()

Yard 2 okay horses, said they'd find a horse to bring in for me to lease, €130 per week, small indoor, yard is not in a good condition but the bus stops outside and the bus stop is a 15 minute walk from my house


How's your situation going for you!?
 
mandwhy said:
I am eBay obsessed! Prefer good quality second hand to budget but brand new :-)
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Bought tredstep gaiters in a closing down sale for €20 including P+P from England but the inside legs started to peel after a few rides, don't know if this is normal but still a bargin!
 
When it comes to riding clothes I am stingy. I wear Tescos jods and normal tops and jumpers and buy cheap fleeces and jackets (usually in Lands End sale). My boots and hat were expensive but worth paying for imho.

Horsey stuff i spend more to get decent ones as i find they last longer, e.g. A 600d rug is a waste for me as they rip too easily. Instead i will spend more on a good Rambo or Amigo 1200d that will last better. I hate synthetic stuff so always get leather if it is an option e.g. side reins, head collar etc.

I do always compare prices though and would never order anything without trying to find it cheaper on another site or with a discount code.
 
Tried skinting it with rugs but they didn't last 5 minutes so splurged on a horseware rug last year :)
Skinting it now though and I've told her if she trashes this one she's never getting another rug :p
 
Skinting vs splurging, which do you do?

Neither if I can possibly help it :) :D

If it can be mended it is, if it (tack/rugs etc) can be shared amongst others it is.

If I can get it in a Thrift Shop or a sale I will - you won't know unless I tell you, or you realise that my horses blankets are 'so last year dahling' ;)
 
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Both.
Stuff for the horses has to be decent quality and has to last. For birthday splurged on a new, expensive bridle. They get good, quality food. Again, they don't wreck rugs so these can be good quality and should last the ponies life! - they only wear them a handful of times a year if that (not worn this past winter).

Me = skinting for all my clothes. I did buy a pair of muck boots though, instead of cheap wellies.

In saying that, I don't buy things that often. So, if I do buy something, it will be good, quality and expensive and if it isn't its because I've bought it to trial it - see if I'll use it before splurging out more - or someone has recommended the "cheaper" product etc.
 
Can't afford to be a splurger!!

Apart from his saddle (cos I had some money left over from a sale) I've always bought the cheap stuff - £15 bridles, £40 rugs, £8 brushing boots etc. & tbh if they are looked after they last :D
 
Splurge on tack (Albion/elevator/neue schule) scrimp in every day things (brushes, picks, shampoo etc etc) basically save money on the things that doesn't matter, in order to spend money on quality things that DO! :)
 
I buy expensive stuff and look after it. Never buy horsey branded clothing as is a total waste of money. They only thing I didnt spend loads of money on was my saddle but that was a second hand ideal
 
I always buy the best stuff I can afford or save up for something if it's really expensive. You get what you pay for. I look after my stuff and it lasts. I have a hand made bridle which cost me £150.00 20 years ago but it is still as good as new. The only thing I've had to have replaced on it is the rubber on the reins.
 
I have just splashed out on some Ariat Bromont boots as my last pair of regent boots were too uncomfortable! I love them already and they are so worth the money! I have also just spent £116 on a set of new equine wear x country boots as the cheap shires ones didn't fit properly! I like to get mid range stuff usually and usually look out for mountain wear, caldene and joules stuff in the sale!
 
Buy myself cheapie johds, tops etc.
Splurged on boots because my feet have to be comfy (no hoof no horse ;)) and they have to last for a good wee while.
Was pretty skin-flinty on an everyday bridle, payed £30 for one by shires I think it was but it gets looked after like it cost me £200 :D
Would splurge on items like saddles etc because it's so important to have well made, well fitting saddles, boots etc. Unfortunately because of my budget it would have to be a second hand splurge though :o
Bought cheap grooming kit becuase it does tend to grow legs or get stolen by the dog :rolleyes:
Try to find cheap but reputable rugs because again they have to last and they are sooo expensive!
First aid kit/ everyday lotions and potions for horses you can get relatively cheap online.
Splurged on a Snak'a ball that got used a grand total of... once! :rolleyes: because he was stabled for a while and I thought he could do with cheering up. He got out again the day after I gave it to him :rolleyes:
All in all i'm not a splurger really as I just can't afford to be :( If I won the lottery it would be a different matter and the hippo boy would have everything well made and very expensive :D
 
I spend loads on tack and rugs but happy if I can find it to buy secondhand. Otherwise I will pay for decent stuff. I buy cheap grooming kit, shampoos, etc and all horses on economy mix from balanced ( So its not bad stuff really!)
 
this year I have tended to splurge on vets bills :p

... I am firmly in the habit of asking "do I need it?" before buying anything as a consequence of aforementioned vets bills.

Usually try to buy best quality i can afford to try and make stuff last.
 
Skint on everything apart from a saddle (When I buy/loan him, he's got one now, but I want one that's more comfortable for me, hehe)

Ebay is my best friend and I've bought him nearly everything on there! Everything (apart from headcollars) have lasted very nicely :D
 
I splurge on my hat and wellies, and on my saddle. Everything else tends to be cheapish. I'm not one to go mad on buying things, though - I have a grand total of two numnahs, and two headcollars (only bought the second one as a spare in case of breakages), and I use a bucket to keep my grooming kit in instead of a swanky bag.
 
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