Are DFWs "allowed" small luxuries?

Legacy_user

I'm not long into my journey, and was wondering if people still allowed themselves small treats to stop them from going insane!! I'm not talk big shopping sprees or anything... More along the lines of a take away night, or a pedicure, or a trip to the cinema (all once a month). Or do most people not bother because they're so desperate to clear their debts?

I guess I'm a spender at heart & am finding it really tough

sourcrates

Yep ! bottle of cava 3 nights a week lol,.........but I have just finished a 5 year IVA were the purse strings were well and truly tightened, cheers

unimaginative_user_name

It must vary from person to person depending on individual circumstances. If the debts are fairly small and could be cleared within months an individual might be able to go without all luxuries for a short time just to clear the debt ASAP. If someone is in it for the long haul they might choose to allow themselves the occasional treat just to keep themselves and stop themselves giving up and going on a spending spree. They might also change the type of treat they allow themselves. The take away might become a supermarket one or be fish and chips rather than Indian. Before going to the cinema on a Saturday night they might find out if there's a cheaper night midweek. You also mention a pedicure. I know people can save on haircuts by being a model for a trainee hairdresser. The same might be true for a student pedicure. It would be worth investigating local FE colleges.

misterbarlow

we are only 2yrs into our 9yr DMP but we still allow some treats, mainly by being careful with our food money.. where we can we try to go under budget each week on food, then with the over we sometimes can afford a bottle of wine/few cans, a takeaway, or a night out with friends etc....

*Foolish*

I think you've got to give yourself a treat now and then. We'll have the odd takeaway or go for a meal, but only if I've got vouchers! We're lucky that my OH's parents buy us a box of lager and a bottle of wine every week! Don't really know why, it's just become a regular thing! Definitely not complaining!
My one and only hobby is horse riding, it can be expensive but without it I'd mope around the house feeling sorry for myself, it's something I really can't give up, mainly to keep me a level head.

System

How much would you say you spend a month on treats?

wegle

We have Friday night chippy treat which is £4.80 for 2 of us and I always have a choccy bar too!!

Other than that though our budget is sensible enough that we can still afford the occasional night out for a birthday or a new pair of jeans.

Material things aren't really my favourite treats so I'm not fussed on buying myself something new but I do miss going to gigs. Used to go loads but for the next year it's no gigs and only 1 festival. I can do it because it's only a year. If I was going to be doing this for longer then I would allow myself something like 4 gigs a year, just to keep me sane!

You can do treats in a MSE way. The marks and spencer dine in for £10 always looks lush, that would be a nice treat, or Orange Wednesday's, or do surveys and use the money you make for treats. A lot of it comes down to finding the pleasure in the simpler things in life.

wegle

loopybecs wrote: »

How much would you say you spend a month on treats?

Probably about £30.

matttye

I'm already DF but saving every penny for a mortgage deposit so in much the same boat...I try to allow myself small treats once or twice a month, whether that's going out or buying something.

This month I just bought an iPhone charger and dock...sounds silly but just spending a bit of money on myself makes me feel a bit better

wegle

matttye wrote: »

I'm already DF but saving every penny for a mortgage deposit so in much the same boat...I try to allow myself small treats once or twice a month, whether that's going out or buying something.

This month I just bought an iPhone charger and dock...sounds silly but just spending a bit of money on myself makes me feel a bit better

That's really true that small things can be treats. I've got a list of music I want to buy but there's no way I can afford to splurge on it all so I'm scraping a bit off the top of my entertainment budget each week so come the end of the month I can buy 1 album. I'm really looking forward to it. All this money saving really makes you appreciate things, it's like being a kid again!

mum2one

I wouldnt be without my treats, I'm in for the long haul, 12 months in about 9 yrs to go (although when finances change - want to pay more money off), but yes I have treats, but they've become mse treats.

Cinema - I have a bogof card - makes a difference, and I have learnt to say yes - where before if a friend offered to go halves previously would have felt guilty saying yes, but they know that i am on a DMP so say yes.

Ditto for my local theatre - accept half price of tickets.

indian meal - We have one restaurant that does fixed meal deal for £10, otherwise my posher indian that now bday treat or a take away (not tempted by drinks).

I have treats for £1 shops, refuse to pay normal shop prices, its cutting cloth according. If I could have got debts cleared in 12 months, I would have lived like a hermit - (or if the CSA did there job and got 11 yrs arrears!!) but life hasnt dealt that set of cards...

So yes to a treat, but it has to be accounted for out of the budget xx