Do you still have your treats?

MrsSave

I'm just wondering how other people who are paying off their debts live? Do you budget for the odd takeaway or meal out or do you not have them at all and throw any extra pennies off your debts?

dazla

MrsSave wrote: »

I'm just wondering how other people who are paying off their debts live? Do you budget for the odd takeaway or meal out or do you not have them at all and throw any extra pennies off your debts?

Hi

I'm in dmp with Payplan but have no spare cash for any treats. I've been paying £650 a month for the last 3.5 years and to be honest its hard going. I haven't really been out for three years and have no treats whatsoever.

moohound

I used to do overtime for small treats when I was paying mine off.

in_need_of_direction

I used boots points to support my perfume habit. I tried doing without but it really dragged me down

MrsSave

We've decided to budget in a small amount for personal spends and 'entertainment', to keep us sane, but at the same time I want to be paying our debts off ASAP! We do use tesco vouchers for eating out, which helps. Clothes will be bought from Christmas/birthday money x

[Deleted User]

Even when I was in debt big time (~ £15k, and spending nearly half my salary on repayments), I'd still buy the occasional DVD or bottle of Cider.

Muhren

I personally thing you need to treat yourself from time to time, you do only have one life after all. Others will disagree but it is down to the invidual. I could have my debts paid off sooner but I still don't want to put my life completely on hold.

moohound

I used my OT money for days out and experiences rather than 'stuff' there is always time later to buy 'stuff' but once an event has gone then you have missed it.

I did extra 'on call' to pay for us to go and see CATS for example, and to go to the motor show

backinbusiness

I would try and get "treats", whatever they were for the lowest possible outlay (and enjoy them all the more for that).

I think if you deny yourself completely, there is the danger of saying "sod it" and splurging.

You have the one life agreed - a balance must be struck.

Good luck op.

BiB x

Willowpop

We still have treats, but we changed how we have them...For example we used to have a pizza delivered on a Saturday night for the family....around £30 a time. We still have pizza but we get 2 large pizzas from the pizza counter in Sainsburys for just under £7 and have a bottle of Lidl own brand cola for 35p if I remember correctly. Anyway, same food but for under £8, instead of £30, and we still feel like we're having a special Saturday night tea.

GettingOrganised

moohound wrote: »

I used my OT money for days out and experiences rather than 'stuff' there is always time later to buy 'stuff' but once an event has gone then you have missed it.

I did extra 'on call' to pay for us to go and see CATS for example, and to go to the motor show

I totally agree with this - I used to buy DD those really expensive kids magazines (for the c**p free gift on the front) and odd bits that would cost a fiver here and there (I think this was also out of guilt for working full time and not spending enough time with her). Now, I don't buy these things, instead, we spend on family days out and experiences. A lot of the time, the days out are relatively low cost, but our DD will remember these more than having a pile of magazines when she's older.

We could live without any treats and pay the debts off quicker, but I think I would be more likely to fall off the wagon this way. I definitely spend more wisely now, and get more pleasure when I do buy, especially if I've got a good deal.

I also sell things we no longer use and then use this money for extras - I love spending without dipping into the bank balance!