Spending. Treating yourself, better late than never

Being deprived of holidays for so many years … 1st husband was tightest man on the planet, no:2 spent every penny we had…. I dumped them both, my kids now call me Shirley Valentine and I’m working thro my bucket list of places to go.
I’ve done the Rio Carnival, New Orleans Jazz tour, South Sea Islands ( Bora Bora, Tahiti, Hawaii etc) and countless trips to Italy. Son no:2 now lives in Jersey so I have bi-monthly trips over there too. We’re only here once so have to follow our own dreams as much as we are able.

I'm about to splash out on a E Bike for the mountain's around me as I currently have manual Mtn bike which is getting more difficult with all the hill's of the Brecon Beacons national park, so that's £4,000 as I'm retired and no one to leave anything to directly living by myself, although I'm a member of local football and rugby club's I enjoy travelling by train to watch them play, I could go by coach but I'll spend the night somewhere all over England with train back following day, this is my treat.

Lots of warm clothing, cashmere jumpers , sheepskin boots and sheepskin slippers, and a down coat for when I have to face outdoors. Mainly bought in the sales though.

Art courses... expensive but so nourishing

Thank you for kind comments about Spike - some people have certainly thought he’s hideous and I must have been mad! Whenever we go away dh brings him into the kitchen, in case anybody nicks him, but somehow I doubt it - apart from anything else he weighs a ton.

Big holiday for all the family (14 of us) - treated them to a week in a wonderful country house holiday in Provence - cost-a-load! But worth it as a one-off.

We have just treated ourselves to a new smart TV and have had it wall mounted with all the wires nearly stored behind it.

I love the pre historic tortoise!! Well done you - enjoy him !

Witzend

BlushingSheep

What's your favourite gift to yourself, would you say?

Mine was a prehistoric tortoise - aka Spike O’Saurus - cast in bronze, found at a little metal worker’s shop in France two years running - it was only the second time that I weakened enough to think ‘sod it’ about the price tag. I have a feeling that the owner didn’t really want to part with him, but she evidently hadn’t reckoned on a mad Anglaise being daft enough.

Here he is - I dare say some of you will think I was bonkers.

Well, he's just lovely!

I do think that if you can afford it when something speaks to you, you should buy it.

It was my husband dying that made me realise I wasn't going to be here for ever and, if I wanted some nice things, I should get them now. Lots of books and some clothes mainly. Having lived in Southall as a child I've always been a fan of Martin Brothers pottery. There is no way I could afford one of their grotesque birds but I did treat myself to a fruit bowl, damaged but very well restored, and a lovely Arts and Crafts grape vine decoration.

karmalady, your list would be mine

but after not working for a while years, after my first pay packet I bought myself some beautiful slippers! and some beautiful noa noa laced trimmed vests...

Mr C persuaded me to treat myself to a pair of ankle boots of a type (mixed, mad colours) that I have wanted for years and not bought because they aren’t ‘sensible’. I love them but feel very, very guilty. Old habits die hard around here.

I think my treat is going to be a set of tyres!

I spend most of my private pension on my family towards things they need. Uniforms clothes shoes etc and yearly subscriptions for zoos National trust etc. To help them out and save their money especially now with rising costs.
I get my state pension this month it's more money for them. We spend money on our home updating it but want for nothing ourselves. Running our business was very hard work but it has given us rewards of which we are grateful.

Books, books and more books. Treat the family and have some holidays. That's me sorted.

Most people on here were probably brought up to be careful and still are. However it’s so pleasurable to be able to give money to AC and even GC. I prefer giving money away to spending it on myself. My indulgences are wine, sherry and anything for my garden.

I purchased a brand new sports car for myself with money my mum left me a few years ago.

I smile and remember her whenever I drive it, and it’s named after her.

I felt so guilty at first but the AC and DH said go for it.

My pleasure is giving DGD1 a modest monthly allowance while she is at university to allow for some fun occasionally. Will do the same for the other two in due course, because I know what a difference it would have made when I was a young adult.

I started receiving my state pension in June and swore I’d spend some on myself with a treat each month. I’m lucky to be not poor, but I’m definitely not rich either but don’t spend much on a normal month. However I do struggle to spend it when I know my son and his growing family need it more than me. It’s difficult after a lifetime of being careful to be a bit frivolous!

I really push the boat out and buy myself a half-price paperback on eBay or Amazon occasionally!!

I do not have any relatives so it is money taken from my savings for my care home!

He/she is lovely Witzend. No, you're not bonkers!

BlushingSheep

What's your favourite gift to yourself, would you say?

Mine was a prehistoric tortoise - aka Spike O’Saurus - cast in bronze, found at a little metal worker’s shop in France two years running - it was only the second time that I weakened enough to think ‘sod it’ about the price tag. I have a feeling that the owner didn’t really want to part with him, but she evidently hadn’t reckoned on a mad Anglaise being daft enough.

Here he is - I dare say some of you will think I was bonkers.

I just can't bring myself to spend money on myself. Never have done. I can always think of more important things that it should be spent on.

I'm with you, karmalady. Well done. Happily both of my children are well established and financially secure. My indulgence is a bit of fine dining. Love eating out. The transition was a slow and difficult one.

Like karmalady I give my children home improvement money regularly. Now is when they need it, not after I’ve gone.

I love handbags too - might treat myself to an expensive branded one.