How much do you plan to budget for clothes & entertainment when debt free ?

Softstuff

findingmyownway wrote: »

I think the amount of money someone would 'like' to spend on clothes/beauty/looking good is entirely related to their self confidence and body image.

Through reading the posts on this site, i feel that many of the regulars have very negative opinions of their bodies and have little selfconfidence (maybe thats part of the reason they ended up here in the first place??) and so i think its unsuprising that these posters don't feel like they would want to spend £££ on looking good, even if they had the spare cash. Maybe if the OP rephrased the question to 'how much would you spend on clothes if you were your ideal weight and had the confidence to wear the clothes you could buy?' there maybe less people saying 'nothing'.

Well, afraid I do take a bit of issue with this. I'd say certainly for me it's the exact opposite. I don't need to spend a heap of cash on brand names etc. in order to look good or feel as though I do. I take an immense amount of pride in buying something from a charity shop, that is the current season, at 1/20th of retail price. I don't wear make up, yet have perfect skin. I use a brown henna mix to dye my hair, not because I can't afford a hairdresser, but because it makes my hair soft as silk and a beautiful auburn. I take care of myself swimming here, or walking which is entirely free. And as for me spending more if I weighed less, well, maybe I'd have to... on a padded bra and something to make my bum look like it does now :rotfl:

Mindy_2

crawley_girl wrote: »

But it's all relative! Is someone earns 10k and has no debts and small outgoings then their money is their own to do with what they want.

If someone earns 30K and has a high amount of debt, then perhaps most of their money goes on debt repayments and not the nicer things in life.

Just a thought!

:heartpuls CG :heartpuls

I think you are right about this, we are high income earners (actually DH is not me!), but all our money is being thrown at our debts. I haven't actually set aside money as such for the nicer things in life, but think long and hard before spending any money - like do I need this, what will happen if I can't buy it.

Once we are clear of debt then we will be trying to get as much off the mortgage as possible, but will have more available money for extras. We don't tend to go out much, maybe a meal once a month (which often seems to be a McDonalds!). We aren't great spenders on clothes and I can't see that changing either.

We all have different priorities in life, but it does make interesting reading.

rog2

Before I realised that I had money problems, I used to think I was being very clever by 'stocking up' on 'cheap' designer label clothes every time I visited an Outlet Village.
90% of these 'bargains' went straight into the wardrobe - where many of them remain to this day.
I am, though, forcing myself to wear them, and whilst never having been particularly 'fashion conscious' I now find myself wearing 'Balmain' and 'Yves St Laurent' shirts with my 'Pierre Cardin' jacket and 'Merril' trainers.
Wouldn't mind if they were 'last season's' range - but most of them date back 5 - 6 years. :rolleyes:

msmicawber

I budget £100 per month for clothes, shoes and entertainment for my two children and myself. Lately, though, it's all gone on the clothes and shoes with £5 for a DVD which was on sale as our month's entertainment! This is partly because I was so skint for so long that my clothes and footwear were all worn out, and both my children are growing like weeds at the moment. I'm sure the balance will go the other way in a couple of months. Separately from that, though, I'm budgetting £40 per month for a holiday.

The above comes from £525 left over once the rent, CT, utilities, insurances, etc. are paid, by the way, so is slightly over 20% of my monthly spending money.

Catseyez

It's an interesting question. Neither before my lightbulb moment, during my DFW journey nor since being debt-free have I ever planned on allocating a specific amount of money to clothes and beauty products.

I suppose now I'm debt free, I tend to buy things as and when I need them. Occasionally I'll see something I like and will buy it even if I don't necessarily need it.

bandraoi

Once the debt is gone, I'll spend pretty much what's left after my rent and phone bill.
but then I'm 25, I live in London, there's a lot of stuff I want to see, a lot of stuff I want to do, and a lot of places I want to go.

There will be a bit of saving too, the same as what I used to put aside before I did my masters.

I must admit that I don't look at the price of clothes that much. A top that fits perfectly and makes you look fantastic will always be better value than a top you never wear. If the top is £60 instead of £6 then so be it, I'll just buy less tops.

clarab_3

when i'm debt free, i will upmy savings, as i wouldlike to have3 months wages in the bank as a fallback. however, I look forward to having a carefree approach to money - its what keeps me going - and I hope my policy will be

As long as I have 3 months salary saved, and am saving regularly, and nothing is bought on credit - I can have what I want or need, and not feel guilty.

debbycatz

immoral_angeluk wrote: »

I could never spend that much money even if I was debt free! :eek:

Oops - I meant per month - not week Sorry

immoral_angeluk

debbycatz wrote: »

Oops - I meant per month - not week Sorry

lol in that case that's not too bad! lol.:rotfl:

debbycatz

I have to say that I am suprised at one or two posters who plan to just buy things as and when they need them once debt free. Not judging at all....but surprised that for some, sticking to a budget seems to be something that only needs to be done to pay debt off, whereas I see sticking to a budget as a lifetime thing really. Otherwise, it can be all too easy to end up back in debt 'cos one didn't realise how much one was spending and before you know it a couple of unexpected bills drop through the door and your back down the slippery slope.
I hope to stick to a budget as a form of self-discipline to avoid this happening. I have twice run up credit cards 'cos I hated saying no to a night out or no to a lovely 'bargain' outfit, but I have paid the price and now want to do it better.
If I have a budget and stick to it, it will teach me that I can have what I require within my means but I can't have everything I want.