How are you going to spend the money saved during lockdown?

Oh yes Viv Nicholson!
Who could forget the famous “I’m going to spend, spend, spend” winner.
I was going to say lottery winner but I think she pre-dates the lottery so she would have been a football pools winner. Bless her I think she did spend her fortune remarkably quickly.

We are not talking about those sort of sums though, just accumulations of what we have left after being deprived of our normal credit card hits.

Unfortunately though some poor folk have seen their livelihood disappear and I fear that will continue especially in the hospitality industry.

We bought 2 new sofas carpet and a new fireplace. These improvements were planned but the lockdown has meant we only dipped into savings for about half of the improvements. We also plan, if possible to take the family on a short break in August. Will need 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and will take 2 dogs. We also want it beachside. I expect that if any such property is available in August it will be quite expensive so that with the home improvements will account for all of the savings we have made.

We bought a new house just before Christmas so quite a bit of our savings is going on new furniture to go in our new house and replace our mostly 40-50 year old furniture.

Should be fun but I think it could be hard work.

Forgot, we are also paying for a weekly maths tutor for our dgc so I think that really takes care of all we saved but at least we feel we have done some useful things with the money. If we hadn't been in lockdown it would have disappeared in holidays, meals out ext.

With my spare funds, I've been buying myself treats, regularly, during this past year. It's totally out of character - but it's just to cheer me up a little in my 'solitary confinement' and harmless, really.

I've spent more on family presents, too, but made it clear that it's just for now, in these difficult times.

Its not the money I am saving but the extra I am going to get that I want to spend , my private pension is about to kick in with my 25% lump sum, my state pension happens in March and as I will still be working even with the extra tax I will still get more a month - not furloughed so still getting paid, in the following order a ruby and diamond ring that I have my heart set on, the roof fixed and the garden done oh and maybe a new shower and possibly a new Pug although I will most likely get a rescue one and not an expensive puppy

Not much saved here as I’m furloughed. We have saved the money we would have spent on a holiday last year ,so that’s gone to help both dc one who has just moved house and the other one soon hopefully.
Best wishes to the posters that have lost so much. It’s good to hear both sides of the story. So many people suffering in so many ways.

We are very fortunate that I am still working, as are all my adult children. We did spend less this year, mostly savings from no holidays and entertaining/family meals. Money in the bank for a rainy day/retirement. We did build a small wooden deck and gazebo cover for the BBQ, but we usually have one household project per year, so it was already accounted for.

Although we are not ones to go out for meals, we do entertain at home, and it does add up. My grocery bill is much less now.

I haven’t saved a penny. It’s costing me more in food because my GD’s been living with me through the whole of lockdown

I'm certainly better off,no holidays,theatre trips or meals out to pay for.I'll just be pleased to be able to get out more,I managed a few day trips last summer,so I'll be looking into that again.I'll just keep on saving,then spend some when we can,but I should still be better off.But I'd rather be happy than have extra money

We're hoping to buy an electric car at some point so some of the savings we've made will go there.
We've had a porch and driveway built at the end of last year, now we're waiting for the Council to make the drop kerb, and next will be the car, when the prices come down, fingers crossed!

Spend ours on Vet treatment for uninsured Staffy ! we put money away each month, instead of insurance. We''ll have pay out now though ! Oh well, can't ake it with you and the dogs come first anyway !

What savings? Will be spent on gas and electricity Bill's

I don't understand the need to spend for spending sake. You probably don't need more clothes or whatever! On this planet these days we need to recycle and not spend for the sake of it surely. Nothing wrong with having a life and a treat occasionally to enjoy your life.

As Caragran says "What savings?" If anything life has been much more expensive

Well, I’m not sure yet! We have saved some money as there are no costs for my husband going into work, no trips out or holidays etc etc. How we will spend it, is the one thing that’s keeping me going ?and spend it we will..probably on breaks, renovations, and generally enjoying ourselves. If nothing else, the pandemic has reminded us that you never know what’s round the corner.

Exactly - what savings?
I’ve spend more on food for a start and luxury home items.
The money we would have spent on holidays we spent on a “glass room”.
If I have to say at home I want to live as well as I can.

What money is that then I haven’t got any !

No savings and made redundant so I'm looking after every penny. But as they say a little can go a long way.

I’m so sorry that many people have suffered financially so much. Sending you my love.

Me too Kate1949.
We have spent wisely i believe.

Savings!! I have spent more on heating and food deliveries and helping out my adult children whoes income dropped!, youngest DD’s ex slashed child support (due to being furloughed) and I have had to cover the child minder fees! I could go on?

Private hospital knee replacement as the NHS waiting list will be horrendous.

How can I save when anything I saved is having to pay the increased gas and electricity bills from April. I have to again pay TV licence, the council are raising rent and rates. Food bills are more expensive because there are no special offers , and the price of petrol and transport costs are rising too.. I am not on the poverty line but have to watch the pennies.

I haven’t managed to save anything. Can I respectfully point out there are thousands still being furloughed, on minimum wage or living wage and stay on their own so have no one to share the bills with, I have been at home during the day all winter... goodness knows who I will be able to afford my heating...