Adult 'pocket money'

Any

paulineb wrote: »

The wine Im currently drinking, costs me 49p for a 250 ml can from home bargains. Actually Ive been off wine lately because Ive been losing weight and I do and have had other more expensive wines, but really from my point of view, going from someone who could take out 20 quid from the cashpoint and not think about it, to a lifestyle where every single penny counted, yes, sometimes I get fed up. Not because I cant spend loads, but because Im always skint.

But Im happy and when I was earning more I was miserable, not the money, but my job was horrible. I have friends who are on benefits and they dont have much either and when we go out for a night like we are tonight we might spend £5-10 each.

But thats ok. Because no one ever died from not spending 100 quid on a night out or not having a tv or not being able to afford a 6 quid glass of wine in a wine bar.

Ive actually spent the last couple of years looking for ways to save more money. I used to get my hair cut and coloured for 35 quid, thought that was cheap, now ive found somewhere that will do it for 20 (home dye kits and my hair colour do not mix well).

Some people might look at me and think, god her lifestyle is terrible, shes skint and yes I am, but compared to millions of people, I have a lot and thats something I dont forget.

Its possible to do a lot of things cheaply and if you do have the cash to do all of that and pay more, then no problems, you cut your coat according to your cloth as the old saying goes.

I don't hink it is horrible lifestyle, when I was very young and lived in Prague I had next to nothing. I don't spend a lot, but having done the keeping spending diary challenge I found that my 'spending money' is around £150. That is actual spend if I went out-meal, wine, tram fare, hairdresser, cinema ticket.
Then there are things I could cut down on, like paying for craft courses, no need to have a nice car, no need to meet up with my sister at Sainsburys and have £5 fish and chips before our class starts (well if I didn't pay for the class then I wouldn't be out at dinner time I suppose) or organising dinner parties with Indian/Thai/chinese meals that often need trip to foreign supermarket (another one of my passions). I also love to travel. I spend on that too, but that is not in spend, that is when I have money saved up (from not spending all my spare cash).
When I had nothing, I coped with it too, but now I like not to have to think about money in the purse constantly. I've been there, done that. It's lso about where you live I suppose-in Prague the social life was 'out', now I live in a village any outings have to be organised and so spend kind of is too.
I don't think I spend frivolously, but I do like my hobbies and meeting up with people. I save, but I also spend within reason.
I still look for bargains-my lovely Montepulciano I am drinking right now was £3.20 a bottle after combined offer, so not too bad either!!
I am sure if I didn't have it, I would cope again. And as you say-as long as you are happy.. that is what matters most!!

OrkneyStar

Any wrote: »

And as you say-as long as you are happy.. that is what matters most!!

:T:T:T For me that's the crux of it, adapting to what you have, and being able to have a level of happiness and enjoyment. I didn't mean to sound judgemental at those who spend a lot more, just couldn't (still can't) see what I would spend it all on! I suppose I could spend a few £100 on wool if really pushed, but definitely not every month. Some hobbies do cost more and if you really want to do something then you'll find the money, within reason of course.

maman

lovely-cup-of-tea wrote: »

Afternoon/evening all. Good to see lots of discussion here. It really does go to show how different we are in how we deal with spending money. I've just done my SOA which, unless I've got my sums entirely wrong gives OH and I about £100 each per month spending money. I'm putting aside quite a chunk as we're only just getting ourselves back on our feet after having to ditch our business and starting salaried jobs again. We had to borrow from our local credit union as the gap between payday and rent day couldn't be bridged any other way. It was a humbling experience but I'm their number one fan now and that's why I want to get rid of of our overdrafts and debts.

Now I have to share the news with OH, I think I'll do that over a beer though!!!

Hope discussions with OH went well.:)

I think we all find this an interesting topic and agree what matters is happiness. What I think jars is that those who feel they really need to spend hundreds of pounds a month on themselves don't fit well with a mse thread. It really goes against the spirit of mse to be spending loads on wants rather than needs particularly as some of these people appear to have debts and no provision for the future. But as I said in another post: their life, their money, their choice.

I'm in the fortunate position of having no debts and plenty of disposable income. I choose to be mse as I hate being ripped off and any money saved I can choose to spend on meals/drinks out. I don't need those meals but I enjoy the socialising.

P.S. I do take gifts when I go to friends' homes (generally booze or flowers). It's a lifestyle thing I suppose.

P.P.S. I wish we had Home Bargains where I live!;)

lovely-cup-of-tea

Hi all, this is fascinating stuff. I too wish we had a Home Bargains in our area, I think this must be a Midlands/Northern chain. I despair at the sad pound shops that litter our high streets. They're mostly full of cr*p not worth the pound they're priced at. Having said that I've found one or two gems among the dross but you have to look very hard!

OH was absolutely fine with my suggestions and I'm looking forward to next Friday, his pay day, when I can start putting all my saving plans into action.

The SOA is a brilliant tool and it's made me realise that putting a little away each month with make things like the MoT and tax less worrying when they come round each year.

I had two amazing bargain moments this weekend. I've been lusting after a pair of leather brogue shoes for ages but couldn't justify paying £50+ for them. Then on Saturday I went into Shoe World and found just what I wanted for £14 and this afternoon I found a pair of suede lace-up shoes, brand new, in our local charity shop for £4.50! The pleasure to be had in finding a bargain and supporting a local charity beats the guilt I'd have been feeling had I 'treated' myself. I do love a MSE moment.

G'night all.