What do you spend more on now you're older?

My father always insisted on picking up the tab no matter what, and, to a certain extent, it became oppressive. We did pay sometimes but it required us to be quick witted and fleet footed.

With DC, the one deed that showed they were grown-up and independent was when they, individually, took us out for a meal somewhere nice and paid for it. I still remember it clearly. Now there is an unspoken agreement that we share costs. Last weekend when DS and family visited, I bought the advane ticket for a family visit to Marwell Zoo, it was part of DGS's birthday present, but when we got there DS paid for all the incidentals, guide book, lunch, drinks/ices and souvenirs.

Thanks for the kind comments, GNers. I was fortunate to travel extensively during my working life, and have visited most of the world I really want to see. There are a few places Mr J and I would like to revisit/visit because we have been able to read loads since retirement and have become excited about them. Oh, actually, I should confess that we do spend spare pension monies on books..about 1 a week, since we have a long trip to the nearest big library. The Amazon or Book Depository parcel is a real treat.

* BoadiceaJones* your post is a breath of fresh air amongst all the reported spending. . ( flack jacket zipped on ).

Eating out; running a nice car and not having to worry about filling it up; weekends away in nice hotels; indulging, in my case, an expensive fishing hobby! Treats for our only grandson. We aren't profligate spenders, but we don't think twice about indulging ourselves these days. It's been a long haul to get to the position where we can!

For me it's got to be shoes can't just wear anything like I would have done when I was younger ,wine ,pillows and bedding.

I also think it's sounds fabulous BoadiceaJones. I salute you ?

That sounds fantastic Boadicea, if only society would take a leaf out of your book then there would be a lot less people being obsessed over what they looked like and what other people thought about them. Good on ya. I admire you, I really do.

More on travel. We do more of it and like NanaandGrampy, we upgrade for comfort and pleasure. Secondly, our garden. We're in it more than we would be when working and it brings us great pleasure despite the limited summer weather.

Newly retired (6 months), but find that I'm spending a lot less on everything except paracetamol. (That's because I'm doing a lot of heavy work in my new garden that is very overgrown). Now I don't need a professional "polish", and have moved far from civilisation, I no longer bother with : smart clothes, new shoes, hairdos, lunches with colleagues. I plan to buy no more new clothes, shoes or accessories- ever- (well, until I'm ridiculously shabby), eat out only once a month or so (too far into town), grow all our own food and live the simple life. I'm revelling in the bare feet, shorts and teeshirts, having time to do physical work in the house and garden, breathe clean air and sleep soundly under the brilliant stars.

No, It's my birthday next week and I wont be holding my breath with gifts off my DS (he has got a card). So no treating me there even thogh he's just got some money. But, he has done the garden today so it is sorted now for a while. So I'm still a happy bunny.

Still, I have bought myself some lovely birthday gifts, although the chocolates have already been opened!

Me/us
Having funded DDs through uni and given them substantial amounts towards property, have no compunction in spending on us for a change .I have been 'careful'all my life (raised that way)but the recent premature death of a beloved younger brother has reminded me you can't take it with you
So
Lots of nice holidays
Lots of lunches out
Renovations to the house to make it easier to stay here and more pleasant as we get older
The garden
No grandchildren as yet but lovely to be able to spoil my girls neither of whom earn much

I just LOVE getting my nails done, no more messy home varnishing sessions for me!

More meals out

Workmen gardener etc cos we can't

Days away

Newer cars

Of course. G kids

Bank of mum and dad still exists at our house

Far too much on the garden as I am continually replanning it.

As much as possible on holidays and eating out and leisure of all sorts including the theatre which isn't cheap. Clothes, books, music. We are so lucky to be able to do it.

At the moment though we are saving for a new kitchen, so that has clipped our wings this year.

Whereas we tended to do everything around the house and garden ourselves, we now get people in to help us with heavier jobs because we physically can't do them any more. Also spend more money on eating out.

Well there are several of us who spend on their gardens. I am in the middle of a revamp so I need all the decent plants I can get. I fear I may be becoming a plant snob I am increasingly looking out for the more unusual ones.

Books - always buy from
Charity shops as I don't keep after read then pass them around

Plants for the garden, we keep Wyvale in business, and 99p deal of the day books for my Kindle. Drum paraphernalia for DH.

-Take advantage of any offers about.
-Definitely fly in comfort.
-Many weekend breaks
- better meat cuts more often
- enjoy life !

Books - I like to browse in Waterstones then treat myself.
Handbags - Sometimes I find bargains and I often indulge in a new one.
Shoes - yes my feet really need decent shoes.
Yarn - knitting is my hobby, so I will buy whatever yarn I fancy.
Food - Only the best steak, none of your old frying steak.
Meals out - Hubby and I like to go out for breakfast about once a week. It's a change from tea and toast at home.
Heating the house - I don't skimp on it, the whole house is warm.
Plants - I love to buy new plants for indoors and out.
Our cat - she only eats expensive food, the cheap stuff makes her vomit.
The grandchildren - they are the joy of our lives and we buy them lots of treats.

Eating out, having a nice glass of wine lunch with my daughter or my husband meeting my family.

spend lots more on my garden - I moved last year & inherited a very overgrown garden, house had been owned by an elderly gentleman so needs a lot doing to it. Toilet rolls!!! my Mum told me that an elderly lady had told her "you spend more on toilet rolls when you retire" - she was right. On a brighter note I buy the best fresh fruit & veg, meat (steak etc) when I can afford a delivery otherwise I mainly eat chicken & fish. Shopping is done on line for essentials & things I can't buy in my local shop.

I spend a lot more time either in my garden or going for meals with friends so much less time to worry about housework - as I no longer have an untidy husband (passed away over 3 years ago) much less time sorting his mess out!!!

My dog and cat mostly, and lots of fresh fruit

As others have said - good quality food is a priority and because we are of the generation that knew how to make a good meal from very little, not a lot gets wasted. We enjoy nice wine, lovely holidays a couple of times a year, very good theatre seats, lots of lunches out with friends ... all the things we couldn't afford 30-40 years ago.

Grandchildren and holidays