Spending now makes me feel guilty!!

ceridwen

It's time I feel guilty about wasting - more than money.

I don't let myself spend much money I don't need to (though I know some people would dispute the necessity of some of my purchases...).

Time - on the other hand....:eek:

Thats not to say that I dont waste time - because I do...

I've just got this thing in my mind that goes "Time has to be spent either doing something I have to do - like my job or my housework and the like" or on something "useful" (which in my case means voluntary work type stuff or learning something about Life - MSE is good for that....). Got to get that little "Protestant Work Ethic" monster in my head under control....:)

vouchersrme

Don't feel guilty , you have saved the money and you are using it to make your day to day life better. Pat yourself on the back you have used the money wisely and have not gone into debt to do it. What a star!

[Deleted User]

I don`t feel guilty because I know I am not extravagent, I don`t buy designer clothes and have no designer bags or shoes to my name. I am as frugal as I can be with my hair, whilst keeping it nice. I use liz earle moisturiser and it lasts for ages. Our holidays are non existent just now as we love the area we live in. If I want to spend then I spend because I know I have a good sensible attitude. If I feel like buying something a bit luxurious, like a trug for example, then I sleep on it and I have slept on it and still want a trug but may go for a plastic one and not a beautiful handmade one from sussex because the pracrical side of me knows that it will get muddy

I am old enough to have earned my wings and as long as we have enough saved for emergencies, including healthcare, then I will spend if I want

GreyQueen

Oooh, I know that feeling. Been scrimping so long that I've got out of the habit of wanting things, too. It helps that my flat (aka The Shoebox) is minute, so it's strictly one-in-one-out or there's no room to move. I find it easier to spend on other people than myself but have decided to do a craft class as a) can afford it b) will enjoy it and c) hopefully it won't add too much clutter to the Shoebox.

Penelope_Penguin

rosieben wrote: »

OS isn't about not spending money though is it? its about getting the best that you can for your money

Correct :T As Nigella once said "I may be extravagant, but I'm never wasteful". That's exactly how I feel - i may spend £100 on something for the kitchen or home, but will save a lone leftover potato to use for another meal :rotfl: (usually my lunch at work ).

As this isn;t Old Style, I'll move this to the How Much Have You Saved Board once you have more OS replies.

Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this in these circumstances: I’ve asked Board Guides to move threads if they’ll receive a better response elsewhere (please see this rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board, where it should get more replies. If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]abuse@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL].

Hermia

I never feel guilty about spending money on myself! I leave for work at 7.30am and get home knackered at 7pm so I feel I deserve to spend some of the money I have earned. I feel as long as I am not in debt, save some money and don't fritter my money on rubbish then I am entitled so spend any spare cash as I wish. I try to evaluate purchases on a 'cost per wear' sort of basis in that I don't fret about the price, but judge it by how much I use and enjoy the item. I have friends who are far more MS than me and actually live quite miserable lives because they have got to the point where they just can't bring themselves to spend any money.

startagain_2

Please don't feel guilty.....
I am also someone who finds it hard to spend anything on myself. Previous debt has been through buying things for and "treating" others. A sign of low self esteem on my part.
My philosphy now is if I can afford it and it is something different and not a newer or different version of something that I have already got, I go for it. It seems to be working and it is so nice to have new things from time to time.
SA

irishwexford

I feel the same
We just boiught a 37 flat screen tv and a laptop but OH pointed out that we could afford it. I gladly help out any of my children that need it but feel guilty about myself. OH reminded me that our children will enjoy spending it when we are gone so we deserve it.

[Deleted User]

I would probably only feel guilty about spending money if I couldn't afford it .When I save up for something I am very pleased when I can buy it.
I get a cheque each year from my late husbands Masonic lodge which is very acceptable .He was a member for nearly 40 years, and in his time had helped many widows and pensioners himself.The almoner said in his letter to me when I received the first one ,'Think of it as a Christmas gift from Alan (my husband ) that he would like you to treat yourself to what ever you fancied '
This I have done over the past 7 Christmas's. I always go out and buy something for me,not the kids or the cupboards but me .This year I bought a very smart new red handbag and gloves that I had had my eye on and I will enjoy using them.

lostinrates

Extravagant but not wasteful is me too. we rented places smaller than we could afford and lived ith my parents for a while so we could keep our saving up....my parents were supportive of this...and last year bought a house together...and its not a typical ftb purchase. Soon, the building work will mean my kitchen is relocated. ome people are horrified we don't intend to fit the new kitchen immeadiately, but we'd have to extend our mortgage or put other work on hold to do that. I'd rather wait a few years, using the old cupboards in the new room if possible, or other furniture as benches (e have a tattyoak sidebboard for example) and then get the finished kitchen we want when we can pay for it, instead of have a kitchen and the burden of more debt.

Similarly, rather than eat cheap meat daily we eat meat less often and buy the meat that is produced in a way we feel more comfortable with.


I am a strong advocate of living within ones means and taking time to save for things....but equally...it can't be taken with us, so presuming higs like bills and pension savings aren't being igored and the purchase is within affordability then...buy.