Money Left After bills - *New thread*

FBaby wrote: »

I've always been quite fascinated by people's spending habits and what they consider 'normal'. The disparity between what seems similar household is quite surprising!

Whatever disposable income one is left with, I find it shocking that anyone would spend £750 a month doing the weekly shop for only 4 people, one of which being a toddler.

However, that explains why when I queue at the checkout, I see trolleys with tons of alcohol, expensive meals, and indeed, 5 or more items of clothing.

Nothing wrong with this if you can afford it, but ultimately, it is a choice and you can't expect much sympathy that you might not be able to save much at the end of the month.

My parents used to spend an equivalent amount on the weekly shop. My mum was a spender and fell for every temptation. It used to drive my dad mad. Even now they are retired, he is horrified on how much is spent each week, but bad habits are hard to break.

I would feel massively guilty if I spent that amount, and yet there are definitely improvements that I could make to my current spending. It really comes down to how much you want to reduce your weekly shop for more disposable income compared to the freedom and excitement of buying what one wants.

Pollycat wrote: »

I'd add "for the future".

It's all very well living for the present but some people come down to earth with a bang when that high salary is no longer there - either because of redundancy or retirement.

OH & I both had good, well-paid jobs.
Whilst our contemporaries were driving round in Audis and BMWs, we had a less expensive (but still nice) car.
etc.

Whilst our contemporaries were holidaying in 5* All Inclusive spa hotels (which we would have hated) we were exploring the Greek Islands, Turkey etc and hitting 'new' destinations. We were amongst the first to go to Goa on a package holiday back in 1994, Mexico in 1991, Sri Lanka in 1996, Cuba in 1997. Everybody thought we were paying a fortune for our holidays but we weren't.

Whilst our contemporaries were running up huge credit card bills, we were living well within our means.


We planned for our future.


I've been (early) retired for 15 years, OH for 12.
We have 3 or 4 holidays per year and have no money worries.

I suspect this is what the OP's family could do if they sorted their finances out.

Pollycat wrote: »

We planned for our future.

Gavin83 wrote: »

That's fine but it's a balance. I know people who have gone without to save for their retirement and then have never had the chance to enjoy it, either through early death or illness.

I've got a good pension but also enjoy myself now as much as possible too. Instead of putting a deposit on a house I went travelling for a year. Don't regret it for a second. I would however regret getting to 60 and getting a severe life limiting illness that meant I was basically housebound at best, requiring 24/7 care at worst sitting on a giant pot of money. Spend it while you can.