How to let go of the purse strings

Organgrinder

We tend to use either drop and go or meet and greet - the convenience of both is great. I don't tend to use the lounges now as they seem to have increased in cost quite substantially of late.

The main issue I have is trying to change my mindset - for a while now it has all been about building a retirement fund whilst at the same time ensuring that we have our holidays etc. Very much a balancing act.

However as I get closer and closer to retiring I'm starting to wonder how to choose which options will work best - do I leave my pension pot alone and live off my pension income and savings, do I purchase a short term annuity etc etc - it's tough trying to change how you approach things!

Albermarle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81988168#Comment_81988168

You used to be able to get complimentary access to lounges with some premium bank current accounts./premium credit cards. Probably you still can.

Although they were not the main airline lounges, but independent operators.

Vitor

Have clothes altered properly. A modest jacket, trousers or dress can look and feel much better when fitted.

Upgrade the chair you spend most time in. Buying a really good desk chair from Herman Miller, reading chair, or TV chair. If you use it daily, comfort matters more than most gadgets.

Pay for a subscription that removes irritation such as ads on Youtube, Amazon Prime, Spotify etc.

Buy excellent coffee equipment. Bean-to-cup Krupps machine, grinder, proper beans, or a simple but good pour-over setup

Book occasional fine dining lunches rather than dinners. Lunch menus are often better value, less formal, and easier to enjoy without making a whole evening of it.

Nebulous2

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81989268#Comment_81989268

I've been really interested in seeing your proposals for enjoying your money. I appreciate that you keep coming back with more as well, you've clearly put a bit of thought into it.

Quite a few of your ideas are not for me, I'm not a guided tour type person for instance, but like wandering in new places, and would rather have a few more days and miss quite a bit, than have a busy itinerary for fewer days. I've never got the idea of city breaks for example. If I'm going through airports and queues I like 10 days minimum.

Our local airport has short-term parking very close to the terminal building. Parking there and heading across to the airport on foot is great, but even better is coming home. A late flight, long queues for taxis, back to less pleasant weather, others queuing for the shuttle to the long-stay parking, and we fall out of the terminal and into our own vehicle. It isn't as expensive as I thought it would be if booked in advance, but it is generally paid early so there is a disconnect between the cost and the pleasant experience.

There are some things that I find are really worth spending on, and for me expensive footwear has been up there. We started with moderately priced boots and gradually worked up the price list until I found Meindl boots and they were a revelation. I had the same issue with shoes, chopping and changing between trainers and walking shoes, which never seemed to last very long, until I decided to lash out and try Meindl shoes as well. I can't quite understand why I didn't do it sooner.

annielyn

The sayings Buy cheap, Buy twice and You get what you pay for are certainly true. If you can afford it you might as well go for the best.

Martin Lewis, on his pensions special program this week, mentioned that for retirees who have a decent pension and savings that maybe we should just be be saying spend it.

Thats good enough for me!

Albermarle

The sayings Buy cheap, Buy twice and You get what you pay for are certainly true. If you can afford it you might as well go for the best.

But then you do not get that buzz from bagging a bargain, and instead get buyers remorse that you have overpaid/been ripped off . This is MSE you know ☺️

TELLIT01

I'm not a great fan of guided tours either. I'd rather spend a few quid on a good guide book for an area and then do things at my own pace. I have been on a few tours where there are only a few people, maybe half a dozen, and they have been ok, but expensive.

MarthaKL

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81989322#Comment_81989322

Meindl boots are by far the best and most comfortable I’ve ever worn. Completely waterproof too. I treat them with care and I expect they’ll last me another few years.

MayDogsandCoffee

Agree with the buy cheap pay twice, I hate shopping so want quality the first time round. I also factor in time, it is far to precious to be spent shopping to save a couple of quid if the money is in the bank losing interest to tax.

annielyn

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81989983#Comment_81989983

☺️I'm all for bagging a bargain, love a yellow sticker and a rummage in a charity shop.

I just think that with something that you want to last and use for a long time sometimes its pays to buy the best you can afford (after searching for the cheapest place to buy it of course).

In the long run that's also money saving.