Spending money on yourself - easy or hard?

I didn’t have much as a child. In my early adult years, we struggled a bit financially. Then I progressed in my career and earned a very good salary (nearly 3 times as much as my then husband). I have never had trouble treated myself to what I fancy since then. Remember this life isn’t a rehearsal. If you’d like something and can afford it, buy it!

I used to find it hard but not anymore, I plan to spend every dime I have on myself if I'm fortunate enough to. Who am I saving anything for? My selfish adult children or relatives that might spend a couple of days crying after I'm gone...nope I travel, buy expensive perfume and skin care products and treat myself to the best I can afford. I've paid my dues so yes it's all about me, if I'm not good to myself who will be...the treasures you polish and hold on to for dear life will ultimately end up sold or in a thrift store somewhere, enjoy your life, spend your money on yourself because when you pass to "the upper room" trust and believe your family will have a grand old time spending your money!

Very easy just ask my OH!

So, here we go again final try!
I have always found it very difficult to spend money on myself and really need to think long and hard before I do. When I eventually do buck up the courage to buy a new item of clothing for example it stays in the wardrobe for at least a year and only then will I bring it out for a special occasion. Is there a name for this condition?!? I think it may stem from as a child having keeping things for Sunday best. I would absolutely love to have a certain beauty treatment but because it costs £350 upfront then another £200 every 12 - 18 months for a top up I cannot bring myself to book an appointment. Even though my family have offered to give me money for Xmas to go towards it. Am I being silly? It gives me great pleasure to spend money on other people. What do others think I should do? See a doctor maybe??

Good for you grannyactivist, I empathise completely. I've just treated myself to a Beatles Advent Calender reduced from £109 to £69.25 after taking advantage of discount codes. I too don't have expensive hobbies so why not splurge out on ourselves for a change! Enjoy your licorice.

Did it this time so I’m going to try with my original message once more ? if not it’s bye bye ?

? This is just a test, wouldn’t let me post my proper message because it said I hadn’t logged in although I was logged in. Tried several times, losing the will to live now ?

Look at it this way - you didn't have the money before, but for a few minutes of your time you were able to treat yourself to something that you wanted .
So you are no further forward or back but have a lovely pack of liquorice that you will no doubt enjoy over Christmas and New Year (if it lasts that long!)

Like most of you, I spent a good deal of my adult life scrimping and saving, so I do find it hard to justify buying things for myself.

However, now that I am seventy, I realise that we might as well enjoy ourselves within reason, so although I still don't fritter money away on things we don't really want or need, I am prepared to buy something if it fulfills a heartfelt wish, or makes daily life easier.

It sounds to like your a lovely warm kind person, I know you'll be embarrassed by this compliment. Just remember sometimes it's your turn, be kind to yourself and eat your sweets with pleasure

I find it easy to spend on myself but its always things for my baking like new moulds and tins.
I do have one extravagance though. For Easter, My Birthday and Christmas I buy a tin of biscuits from F&M at £17.99 but they are delicious - and I do share.

I am so pleased you bought the liquorice advent calendar you will just love it. I have had one 2 years running and was hoping for one this year too, but it has sadly not been the case . The liquorice is worth every penny, enjoy and I hope you treat yourself next year.

I was brought up on liquorice preferably salted, so it is an addiction for me, we buy triple salted liquorice on Amazon and I go through a kg bag a month, just love it.

grannyactivist I love liquorice too and so does my younger son. I always loved it as a child and used to spend some of my pocket money on liquorice root which we used to get from a market stall.

I am still recovering from back problems which started last May. I have got to the stage where I don’t have to take painkillers any more but I do have problems after doing heavy housework chores. So I did some research and found my problem could be helped with shoes with an arch support so I ordered a pair of Vionic slippers and found they made a big difference so I ordered a pair of Vionic boots as well. I have never spent so much on footwear in my life and I do feel guilty about the cost and keep thinking of how else I could have used the money for the family but I think the result will be worth the outlay.

Tmeadow, I am so sorry to hear about your dear daughter.

Deedaa I am the same. Although I did dither over spending more than I had ever spent on a weeks holiday on going to an hotel over Christmas! I did book it and have got my fingers firmly crossed that there’s no lockdown.

Oh I find it very easy! If I like it and want it I'll buy it. No hesitation, no guilt.

Enjoy your liquorice Grannyactivist, but don't eat it all at once - could be disastrous! I absolutely love liquorice too.

I spend large amounts quite easily but can be illogically stingy (with self) about small amounts?

I had my daughter when I was 18 (single parent). I am 70 in April and struggled for years to provide for my child who was my life. I worked from her being 3 months old until I was 60. Life was very hard but I managed to buy a house and get out of the awful mouse and cockroach infested Council flat. She married at 19 and I met and married a lovely kind man the year after. I bought a sandwich shop a few years later then we bought a post office and newsagents. This was the best and worst move of my life. My daughter moved house to be near me and worked in the post office with me, all we did was laugh. Then my world came crashing down in 2008 when my daughter passed away with bladder cancer, she was diagnosed and died within 6 weeks. I still cry daily and miss her so much. I didn’t spend money on myself for years as there was no spare cash. I am still struggling to spend any money on myself. We own a 4 bed detached house outright and have plenty in savings. It all seems futile to me now. I just can’t justify spending money on myself.

Very, very easy. Life's too short not to.

I find it difficult to the extent that I dither for a long time about whether and how much to spend and then google reviews to get the best deal on whatever it is I’m looking for. My one exception is skincare - the range I’ve used for years is quite expensive but I’m economical with it !

Occasionally I treat myself...not often. I did buy a gorgeous pair of Timberland walking boots two weeks ago on ebay....brilliant condition and half the price of new.

easy...why should I not?...the bills are paid, the pets are fed, my charity donations are monthly and automated.

Far to easy unfortunately

My ex-husband was a BIG spender and we were always in debt. Now that I’ve been on my own for a few years and am comfortable financially, I have begun to spend money on myself. I enjoy reading, so a fair bit goes on books, although I do visit the library often. I’ve also recently bought a couple of nice jumpers. My most extravagant purchase, however, is an opal ring, bought a few weeks ago. It’s very pretty and I wear it every day. It’s taken me a while not to feel guilty about indulging myself though. My dad died leaving quite a lot in the bank. Sad that he never enjoyed the money he worked hard for.