Are DFWs "allowed" small luxuries?

mum2one

*Foolish* wrote: »

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.

Hope you dont mind me being cheely, just wondering what the rate is for horse riding - my DD would love to do it,but havent plucked up courage to ring.. xx

eyeopener2

I did the opposite and went cold turkey. No treats, nothing for 3 n a bit years, a sort of penance I suppose for being such a fool with money.

It meant my debt being paid off a lot, lot quicke but It's not for everybody though, cos it is quite hard to do.

System

eyeopener2 wrote: »

I did the opposite and went cold turkey. No treats, nothing for 3 n a bit years, a sort of penance I suppose for being such a fool with money.

It meant my debt being paid off a lot, lot quicke but It's not for everybody though, cos it is quite hard to do.

God knows how you did that!! Well done you!!

matttye

wegle wrote: »

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!

I'm the same. I buy the odd album (usually a compilation where I get lots of songs for a decent price), but I also buy about 2-3 individual songs a month.

I think you appreciate the odd treat more than when you just blast all of your money on crap

xJOJOx_2

I swapped girly night out, for ladies darts. Costs me £3 a week, meet new people and get to go different places. Never threw a dart before I joined, I now really enjoy it!!

Collages to do pedicures. But I book a spa day (in advance so I have something to look forward too) Keep a eye out for £10 deals, normally includes two mini treatments and use of facilities (pool jacuzi hot tub) They are always in really nice hotels and feels like you've spent a bomb haha

I do dvd nights (secondhand for £1) always something we've never seen,
do snacks to suit. rather than takeaway, I get similar from supermaket, ie curry meal deal, but serve in actual metal curry dishes candles etc. If you make extra effort, it is just as enjoyable.

Also, I make use of parks, free events, free entrance with picnic etc There is always something to do. I now have a much fuller life than I did before. I spend less than £10 a week on treats for all four of us. change it every week.

I think when you first set out dfw journey, it can be easy to think I deserve a treat, then you spend far too much. Treats are fine, but keep control of them. I struggled at first, i use to try and justify then, ive not spent anything so i can treat myself to a new top etc etc. I didnt need the new top, i just wanted to 'treat myself' cause I felt low. It never ended with the top. It took a while but then I got addicted to mse and changed my ways, slowly at first.

This year all my kitchen appliances have blown up!! I saved and replaced all of them with cash (a first) had a unexpected arrival, moved house and various other happening. Its been tough, but so proud that i still managed to lower may debt rather than increase it. Changing the way I thought about treats allowed me to do this xx

cottage_retreatist

Are DFWs "allowed" small luxuries? - gosh! I hope so!!!!!!!!

Although I have to admit I don't allow myself any luxuries -except getting my hair coloured once/twice at the most times per year - but the OH gets a 'spends' budget each month to stop him getting miffed about me taking all his wages and squirreling them into debt-busting programmes!!!!

Also keeps him normal!!!! :rotfl: bought him GTA V on Tuesday - it keeps me sane more than anything else!!!!! :D

And i also bought myself a pair of jeans - but I only have 1 pair of 'non work' trousers and last time I wore them they split!!!!!! :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: I have muscular calves! so treated myself to a 9.99 pair from H&M the other day!!!!!!!

if I didn't 'treat' us I think OH would have given up on this debt-busting thing only a week or so in!!!!!

xx

Weird_Nev

Surely if you budget for it and it's truly a "treat" it's not a problem.
£5 spent the right way can really cheer you up.

It's when "treats" become "I deserve it" every day, and you start buying coffees, sandwiches, hair do's and clothes weekly as "a treat" because "I deserve it" that you're in trouble and the money starts slipping through the fingers.