How much 'treat' money do you allow yourself?

wigginsmum

Just wondering whether you allocate yourselves a specific amount per week/month, or whether it's on an 'as and when' basis. Back in the Eighties when the interest rates were so high, all of my friend's salary went towards her mortgage, she lived on a small NHS pension from when she used to be a nurse, and every couple of weeks she'd have a tiny treat like a new bottle of nail polish or pair of cheapo earrings. How do you handle it?

spud30

I go on the Freebies board, and get so excited when a freebie arrives with the postman.

It costs nothing and a surprise is delivered most days.

heybigspender2006

I vary between £30-£50 a month because if I didn't get some treats I'd be perpetually miserable.

eunja

My goodness I feel ill just reading thsi thread. I allow myself £400 a month for 'treats'!!! That includes going out, clothes, gifts for occasions. And I usually spend more than that too. I would be so interested in finding out WHY I spend so much on crap I don't need. Am v annoyed with myself, and am often amazed at how much people survive on. I am very lucky, have a good take home pay but it's all gone at end of the month. How do you manege on £50 a month!!!

Ember999

eunja wrote:

My goodness I feel ill just reading thsi thread. I allow myself £400 a month for 'treats'!!! That includes going out, clothes, gifts for occasions. And I usually spend more than that too. I would be so interested in finding out WHY I spend so much on crap I don't need. Am v annoyed with myself, and am often amazed at how much people survive on. I am very lucky, have a good take home pay but it's all gone at end of the month. How do you manege on £50 a month!!!

Makes me feel guilty too I buy treats as and when I need or want them....reading the DFW thread, keeps my feet in the real world

spud30

OMG £400 :eek:

Here's me excited by a free hand cream sample - how bad is that !!!

**purpleprincess**

I just mostly get freebies too as my treat!!! I allow £10 a week for emergencies and if I don't spend it it goes towards the next week and whatever I haven't spent I pay off my debts. Woweee!!!! £400!!!!!!!!!

lynseydee

I only give myself £10.00 a month as I feel I can't not have something in my purse.

Spud30 - where do you go to for the freebies. I fancy taking a look.

wigginsmum

I like your logic, purpleprincess I might adopt the same strategy myself.

Imelda

eunja and ember999,

I spend about £300-£400 a month on going out and presents etc, I find it impossible not to especially living and working in London. I have tried cutting this down but it's hard when you have a OH and friends who want to go out and do nice things. I haven't bought myself any new clothes for 3 months though (which is a HUGE difference). With the help of MSE I no longer spend more than I earn and have managed to budget (pretty) effectively so that I have cash in the bank for those annual bills such as car tax, insurance etc.

spud30

Lyndseydee,

I dont know how to do links, but if you go to the left of this page towards the top, you will see some red boxes. One of them is shopping, and in there at the bottom of the page is the Freebies board.

Have a go, we got some free dog food this morning, and two England pint glasses at the weekend !!