Expensive Taste And My Job
Posted on July 10, 2007 by Him and tagged benefits, employment, food, free
Yesterday Jim put up a post on how he developed an expensive taste for bottled water because of his work environment. I can definitely relate - when this blog still had that new blog smell I wrote a post detailing the great amenities that my job as to offer. Fortunately for me, I don't drink soft drinks and I loathe the idea of bottled water. Many-a-co-worker has looked at me strangely for drinking tap water instead of grabbing a bottle from always stocked refrigerator. We do have other nice perks though.
I get the chance to travel about a half-dozen times per year for my job, thus the ways in which I have developed expensive tastes are travel related - dining out and hotels. When I travel it is usually for conferences, so I generally stay at one of the hotels associated with the conference; most of the time it is a 4 star hotel. In the last few years I've gotten used to the comfy beds, large rooms, and all of the little things that a nice hotel offers.
The other thing I get to do for my job is take clients out to dinner, and when we do we generally spare no expense. I've been to some of the best restaurants in the nation, all at no cost to me. Since the care and pampering of our client is top priority, the wine generally flows, appetizers are plentiful, and dessert is divine. If there is more than one person from my job traveling with me, we generally dine somewhere nice, but not at elite caliber restaurants.
All of these things are paid for by my job, but since we've gotten rewards cards I am now putting these charges on those and getting reimbursed. Therefore I am getting rewards for what I do anyway.
Has this translated into non-job expensive tastes? Not yet, at least. Except for one less than frugal non-work dining event, our dining bills align with our budget. That doesn't mean I don't look longingly at other, more upscale places. Also, we haven't taken any real vacations, but I'm thinking that we're probably going to look for more budget-friendly hotel options so that we can spend our money doing other vacation things.
The good life is nice, but I know I won't be at this job forever. Until then, I'm enjoying it very much.
What are your expensive tastes?
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sarah | Jul 10, 2007
I can relate to becoming accustomed to the nicer hotels. The first time we stayed in a budget-friendly hotel after I'd been on a few business trips was tough! The towels truly aren't as soft.
A different Sarah | Jul 10, 2007
I agree with the nicer hotels. I try to use hotel points for a free night, so when I average a personal vacation out, the hotel costs are less than if I would have stayed in a budget hotel. Sign up for hotel rewards points, they accumulate pretty quickly.
As for the food, I get my fix by going out on the company's dime. Plus those sorts of meals aren't good for my waistline.
Damn homonyms don't show up as misspelled! Fixed, because I do like dessert, but not the taste of the desert.
kynewlywed | Jul 10, 2007
My new job has created some awful temptations. The office is filled with priceless art and amazing modern furniture. Watching them purchase me a Herman Miller desk chair that costs more than I make in a week was a little astonishing. I'd rather tolerate a Office Depot clunker and have the cash! Working for rich people isnt easy -- going home to my cozy (aka modest) apartment at the end of the day is kind of sad.
My expensive taste is, and always has been, for clothes.
Not job related by any means, this predilection for high priced clothing has been with me since I was old enough to argue with my mother about what I would wear (in other words since I developed the ability to speak, if not earlier).
I am usually drawn toward what ends up being one of the most expensive items in any store, if not THE most expensive item, but luckily, by shopping carefully and thoughtfully, I've managed to create a wardrobe that I love and enjoy without going overboard on spending.
I would trade all the fancy hotels and dinners in the world for a huge shopping spree (well, maybe I'll keep the fancy hotels. I've got a soft spot for those, too.)
When it comes to clothes (and hotels), I've got the champagne tastes beer budget syndrome--what can I say? Doesn't mean I regularly indulge, though. I do know how to say no to myself and have built a wardrobe I love slowly, over time.
Having to delay gratification and only select the items and experiences I desire most makes the occasional item I splurge on (by splurge I don't mean spending as much as I want, just spending more than I'd like) much more special to me than it would be if I were able to buy whatever I wanted whenever I wanted.
Lazy Man and Money | Jul 10, 2007
I get $20 a day to spend on lunch and dinner from nearby restaurants (brought by a food taxi service). It also has free soda and snacks. My company also gives a $500 housing allowance if you live within X miles of where the company is moving. As luck would have it, I do. If I were to leave I'd need to have a significant raise to offset those costs (or similar perks).
Ariella | Jul 11, 2007
My expensive tastes are generally for food. I don't care about creature comforts like cable or even expensive clothing/shoes/handbags, but I love going out for a nice dinner. This might be more expensive than actually buying the shoes/handbags/clothes that others buy.
Thankfully, we're very "in tune" about how much we spend on food and we budget in a certain amount for eating out each month. I am satisfied with that.
Gigi | Jul 12, 2007
My tastes run towards good food and exotic travel. Fortunately most of the food is at my travel destination.
We have sales reps that will take us on trips. Often, we will ask that the return ticket be a few days later. That way, we only pay for hotels and food for the additional days and makes for a resonablly priced extended vacation.
Hazygrey | Jul 14, 2007
As a lawyer, in the summer, we can take out summer associates for lunch within a certain budget. The budget is now $55 per person and it has allowed me to enjoy some nice restaurants I would never choose to go on my own, because of the cost. I noticed that nowadays, when I go out on my own to cheaper restaurants, they don't satisfy me as much as before - I miss the high quality food I get to experience at work.
Livingalmostlarge | Jul 16, 2007
Hotels, we used to be campers/hostel stayers. Now DH is getting really spoiled and refuses to stay in crappy hotels. He prefers spending a bit more for better located hotels too.
I think it's good to remember that these extras are exactly that--lovely perks from a generous universe (or employer!).
I try to genuinely appreciate every extra nifty thing that comes my way, and not see myself as entitled to it.
Jack | Sep 28, 2007
These perks are compensation, no matter how you look at it. You have to consider this when considering your total compensation package. In other words, how does your compensation afford you the lifestyle you wish to lead.
You've mentioned looking for work elsewhere because of your "salary." You need to revise what you call your "salary." It isn't your paycheck, it's a lot more.
But you also have to evaluate this: How many times have you been on one of those expensive business dinners when you'd rather be home with HER. There's an opportunity cost there, and you have to decide which is more valuable to you.
Business perks are nice. It's great to stay at the Marriott San Francisco on the 38th floor and not have to worry about that $10 bottled water from the honor bar, but wouldn't you rather be sipping a bottle of Costco water with your wife on a cool October evening looking at the sunset?
Think, man, think.
plonkee | Jul 10, 2007
Its not related to my job, but I've developed an expensive taste in haircuts. After spending several years without getting it cut, I was very nervous and so went to a reasonably expensive salon. I enjoyed the experience so much that I go back regularly.
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