How do you treat yourself and what is a reasonable spend

Cwtchie

Hi, I've been trying to pay off debts for a while now, they are going very, very slowly. I try to spend nothing each month other than essentials. Trouble is we are all beginning to feel very down and low and I'm thinking that a regular treat to look forward to may be the answer. Whilst i realise treats are a luxury that may not be affordable, should they be factored in somehow? So what do you think is a reasonable amount to spend monthly on treats/entertainment and what treats and entertainment would that be? Or do you think everything should go on debt and treats are for when the debt is gone? Thanks Cwtchie x

northerner999

Depends on many factors, for me the important thing is you are making headway into your debts. Having 0% deals also gives leeway. - I'd suggest anyone who is able to save on interest by changing to lower or zero deals could spare some of that money for treats.

I treat myself to a monthly gym membership of £45PCM, I use it four or five times a week. It also includes access to a swimming pool. After cancelling Sky I also allowed myself to go back for £24 PCM after they kept offering me deals.

That is basically my entertainment budget, I get a takeaway maybe twice a month and an evening in the local every couple of weeks (under a tenner) but include that in my food planning. I think allowing some treats is absolutely vital for mental health, as is clear from this forum so many people get stressed out about their debts.

Tigsteroonie

Some treats can cost nothing - a walk in the park kicking up autumn leaves, going out to watch community fireworks (stay away from any fairgrounds!), picnic tea on a blanket in the middle of the lounge ...

Fmess

I've been debt busting for 2 years and I wouldn't have made it this far and stayed sane without treats. It depends on your budget but I have a set amount each month that I can whatever I want with - clothes, home decorations, going out etc. It's not loads but it allows me to pay off my debts whilst not feeling completely deprived.

Cwtchie

We've sat down tonight and worked out a plan of action. Walk to pub for drink. Walk to chip shop for bag of chips. Drive to local castle and take picnic. Visit museums - free. Visit family for free cuppa maybe cake if lucky window shop in local market towns. Car boot sales. Just need to get out a bit more and socialise cheaply. Each Friday we drive to the local seaside resort with the dogs for a walk and take a few rolls and flask of coffee. We are going to treat ourselves to cinema locally, much cheaper if we watch the films weeks after they are released, I'm in no rush . Thanks for your replies

freshcotton

I try to keep luxury spending to 2% of our take home pay, this would include clothes but then we are slightly relaxed on our groceries.

I'm not in debt anymore, but was on a DMP years ago.

January2015

We had a family treat recently - it was walking through park collecting chestnuts. We then had a great time roasting them up. Totally free and absolutely delicious.

I appreciate not all treats are free though and I think as long as you plan and budget for them, treats should be allowed on any debt busting programme

Naturalbornspendthrift

I treat myself twice a month to a cheap magazine (£2 or less) and a nice bar of chocolate. Sometimes it's an interiors magazine or a puzzle book, just something to give me some light entertainment. I don't tend to bother with fashion and beauty mags as I don't like the way they are designed to make us all think we are too fat/pale/old looking and spend more money to buy into a lifestyle!

I try and make it really indulgent so I will go home, put my PJs on and curl up under a blanket with a cup of tea, my chocolate and my magazine. It makes me feel very relaxed and like I've had a proper treat.

Jagraf

I always found that the enjoyment of spending wasn't there when I had lots of debt, so we did lots of bike riding, walking, spending tesco vouchers on meals with just water. We did have national trust membership so took sandwiches and made a day of it x

Jagraf

Oh and I started to read books 😊😊

moneycantbuyyouhappiness

Just before my LBM I bought a designer handbag. It wasn't put on a credit card but the money that I used to buy it with should have been paid off debt. It was one that I have wanted for such a long time and I was going to sell it on but would probably lose money on it now. I've made myself not use it. If I get to my DFD on April 1st 2016 then I can have it, if not its going on eBay that is my motivation at the moment. I know some people will think I am mad but its working so far.

I think it is so important to have treats whilst on this journey, at the end of the day unless the debt is crippling you, you need to live your life still.