Spending. Treating yourself, better late than never

In the past I spent lot on foreign holidays. Now that I am housebound there is nothing to spend on apart from good food, wine and keeping warm and a smart TV..

I have always been so careful with money, and always looked after others. I had a light bulb moment one day and thought when is it going to be my time? It is my birthday today and am going to treat myself, not sure what I will get but a little self-indulgence every now and then is now higher up my list than it used to be.

that didn`t sound right. We are frugal but not mean, frugal because we had to be, for decades

many of us grew up during frugal times eg I can remember doing some baking at age 11 and scouring recipes for a cake with only one egg. Later in life, husband came home and said they had all had salaries halved, 70s I think it was. They had all voted to take half a salary so as no-one lost their jobs. It happened on one day. Money drawn once a month, into envelopes in a drawer, for this and that. Lucky to have a few pennies left at the end of the month. We lived on what I could grow

Mum ironed wrapping paper and saved string, like countess others. Christmas presents were all home made

Anyway what I mean is that frugality is absolutely ground into our beings, many of us. Breaking free now is difficult. Believe me, we are not frugal because we are mean

As they say , you can't take it with you or there are no pockets in shrouds.

I am still a thrifty person with everything but when my Mum died and I inherited her small flat I finally felt able to ease up
a bit. Having 4 children to bring up with a financial idiot of a
husband - who I got rid of once they were adult, I still have
difficulties in treats for myself. However I love to have lunch
out and a healthy walk is always finished with a relaxing
coffee somewhere. Simple things but mean the world to me.

I gave both of my DC deposits to buy a house. They both had the means to pay a mortgage just not the deposit. It was one of the best things that I have ever done. They were able to get on the property ladder at a really young age.

I spent retirement money on a new mini now many years old and two paintings of Industrial West Cumbria where I grew up not your lakes and fells. Also one of the village my father grew up in. When my friend saw it she said"Oh that is Cow Clap lonning", she comes from the same village.
Now I like to treat the GC, with the odd small luxury for DH and me.

I bought some cheapish microfibre curtains for the dining room and an extra pair to cover the chair seats a couple of years ago. That was false economy. I am continually taking the seat covers off and washing them and the curtains don't hang well because they are too light weight. I now realise that we are well enough off not to have to take the cheapest option and I am looking into a decent upholstery fabric to make the dining room look more luxurious.

I have also splashed out on some new cushion covers for the lounge.

I'm not bothered about travelling, but music courses and concerts would also be a priority.

your stories are beautiful, so uplifting and I adore spike

Happysexagenarian, I too can use a scroll saw, went on some courses, it was my husbands and now mine. Other good items I spent a lot on where swiss carving gouges. Sadly now I have lost that mojo because the group folded, thank you covid. All safely wrapped up and as good as an inheritance for AC

I have 3 bikes, my last was a whizzy road bike, islabikes and I have had a really good kalkhoff ebike since 2008. It was 2.5 k even then but wow, still going strong and that is with me maintaining it. I would spend a lot on another if my kalkhoff dies on me, if beyond repair

I don`t hesitate to treat myself but it is not really that often, I don`t want to stuff my face as I am healthy and want to keep cycling. Maybe celtic slippers when the ones I have wear out. I bear in mind that I may have to fund care if I get a short straw, who knows

Blushing Sheep, good leather handbags can be had from Pure Luxuries, not expensive, variety of styles & colours. On line too, and free carriage etc. Excellent value.

An electric bike around £4000. I had upgraded my push bike the year before but due to my medical conditions I was finding it hard and didn’t want to give up cycling. I had some money in my saving account tried out this electric bike while on holiday and bought it on the spot, never regretted it and have done nearly 3000 miles in just short of two years. Mr B has taken on my other bike. I can now do the hills in the valleys of South Wales

Witzend He's lovely and will be very easy to look after.

I used to buy whatever I wanted when I was working. Things changed a bit when I retired. I am more careful now. I did raid my savings for a better car when a car drove into mine and wrote it off. Their insurance company paid out but I added to that to buy the car I have now. My only extravagance since I retired... I will be getting injury compensation at some point for the severe whiplash I suffered. Might treat myself when I get that.

I too have discovered to joy of real linen sheets. I don’t even mind the ironing!

I have no children so have always treated myself. I travelled to where I wanted to go and spent a lot on holidays, clothes and experiences when I was younger. At one time I became a bit of a shopaholic. Now all that has gone and I just concentrate on making life comfortable for myself. I am arthritic so my greatest indulgence is keeping warm. I just look at the huge amount Ive contributed to the community and my much lower carbon footprint so I spend money on myself without a pang of conscience. The money I spend helps to fund jobs for other people.

I like to treat myself to perfume and jewellery (costume, not fine), but I would love a brand new, electric Mini. ? It would wipe out my savings though…?

My sewing machine, bought two years ago after 6 months of arguing with myself. Eventually DH said "For heaven's sake buy it! If you don't you'll regret it." It's the most expensive thing I've ever bought myself. I love it and have so much fun making things I could not have made with my old machine.

I also treated DH to a scroll saw for his man cave. He likes it but he hasn't used it a lot as his shed is often too hot or too cold to work in. And I think he's a bit miffed that I have more success with it than he does.

I treated myself to a beautiful Omega watch from some money left by my Mum. I’ve never regretted it as I can look at it every day and be reminded of her.

coconut - I thought you were working through your bucket list of ……..men to date. Just joking ?

I had a nice win on the National Lottery a few years ago, I was going to go back to Barcelona for a months holiday but of course then covid hit and that put paid to that. I sat on the money keeping hoping that things would settle down but when they didn’t I decided to dip into it and bought myself an iPad, quite a big deal for me, I’m not really computer oriented but am so glad I did I use it all the time. A couple of months ago I also decided to upgrade my sewing machine. Both things get a lot of use as I make my own clothes and do textile art as well both on my iPad and sewing machine so I don’t feel guilty at all. Having a cancer diagnosis made me realise that you have to live in the moment.

Wow Coconut that’s some trips. Good for you!!

I was sole beneficiary when my dad died. I split inheritance with my two children (both in their 40's with children). I wanted to see them enjoy it. Both did home improvements

Perfume. I don't feel dressed without it. Fav is still Chanel No 5 but have a couple of others for everyday wear. I get it from OH as presents as well, but buy it for myself if I run out. A few make up items are "essential" - my excuse - ie Touche Eclat. We all need treats - even special chocolate or biscuits to spoil us

I am not very good at it at all. Buy very few 'things', but yes, travel and courses. I've only bought 2 expensive things in last 15 years- a great pair of binoculars, which I still use every single day, and take everywhere with me. And a fabulous Lalique vase when I visited the Museum in the Vosges in France.