Share the things that you love to save for - £200 voucher to be won

[GraceEMumsnet]

This sponsored discussion is now closed

Saving might not be easy at the moment, but putting away a little each month now means that we can start looking forward to ‘sunny days’ treats or trips when times are brighter. Whatever they may be, Nationwide would love to hear about the things that you’ve missed and can’t wait to do again.

Here’s what Nationwide has to say: “While life after the pandemic may still feel some way off, we’re looking to the future and encouraging people to talk about what they’re looking forward to being able to enjoy again. As a mutual, we feel it’s our role to get the nation saving and we want to inspire people to keep building their savings pot as they look to the future and their own sunny day plans.”

All savings, big or small, are important. Whether it's accidental saving on your train fare while working from home or consciously saving the pennies that were once set aside for a daily takeaway coffee. From a once in a lifetime holiday to gigs and pub lunches with friends and family, what are you looking forward to being able to do post pandemic?

All who post on this thread will be entered into a prize draw where one lucky MNer will win a £200 voucher for a store of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw!

MNHQ

Insight T&Cs apply

[alwaysataldi]

We have saved several hundred pounds - but ofset against the heating bills due to being at home 24/7 - through not commuting to work, the accidental savings on 'office lunch/coffee/nights out/cinema trips.
If we are unable to holiday this year - I don't intend to save - and am planning on purchasing a hot tub (the blow up version) for our staycation.
I don't see 'normal' life starting until 2022 - so will continue saving my 'accidental savings' for a holiday abroad !

[BristolMum96]

We are saving as much as we can to complete our home renovation, spurred on by a large increase of wfh. We are trying to bank money saved from commuting and other costs associated with working in the office.

[Theimpossiblegirl]

I'm saving on petrol as only using the car for work, but that's about it. I'm trying to squirrel as much away as possible so we can go on holiday once it's allowed. It's nice to have a goal, something to look forward to.

[ginabrett]

I'm saving for new furniture when we buy our house Autumn onwards but I am also saving towards a really lovely hotel stay to celebrate the sale of my partner's rental property. This will enable us to buy together :) :)

[Asuwere]

I always have a savings fund for 'fun' - holidays, meals out, cinema, bowling, day trips etc. Obviously haven't used it much in the last year so just means we'll have a bigger holiday and more days out when we can.

[RugsEverywhere]

I'm very boring, it's stuff for the house and building work.

[lovemyflipflops]

I have always saved, and managed to have several hundred pounds in a separate bank account - 'my rainy day fund'.
Since lockdown, no holidays to save for, no outings, less petrol, I have added significantly to this fund
When my boiler died unexpectedly last week, I was able to pay for one, as well as the installation costs - I would not have been able to do this before - it would have been a credit agreement.
I will continue to save, and open accounts for DS1 and 2 - something i has only dreamt I could do - and save for their future.
My OH and me are WFH for the forseeable, so the extra cash we save would mean we can save for more luxuries and emergencies and maybe pay a chunk off our mortgage.

[WalkiesAndBiscuits]

I’m saving up for a holiday, it’s going to take a while but I’d love to take my family on a safari in Africa!

[EvilHerbivore]

I'd love to take my kids to Disney. I went as a kid and it was a horrible experience (my parents, Disney itself was amazing) so I want a do-over with my own children

[suzieduh]

We're saving every spare penny as DP has had his hours cut. It's brought home just how close to the wind we've been sailing these past few years.

[WowOoo]

We are saving for a holiday. We haven't decided yet, where we will go but want it to be a bit more special than usual.
Also, can't wait to go out for a lovely meal. Have saved loads by not eating out.

[CupboardOfJoy]

I really want a day out with my best friends - a train ride to a large city and then spend the day shopping and a meal out.
I'd like to use some of the money I've saved this last 12 months to just have a good splurge on new clothes and shoes, internet shopping doesn't have the same appeal.

[Thimbleberries]

Saving to travel, saving for music lessons and courses, and maybe even an upgrade to an instrument that I've taken to practising during lockdown!

[TechnoDino]

We are saving to build up a rainy day fund, and to pay for a couple of big house repairs that we need to do.
We save a small amount regularly for each of our children.
I save a small amount each month into my secret fuck off fund

[maisietoo]

I'm saving up for replacement garden chairs because ours have gone brittle in the sun and are dangerous!

[PetrovYelyenaAndMe]

Saving for daughters going to university.

[voyager50]

I can't wait to go for coffee with friends, have Sunday lunch at my mum's and go back to my Groovefit classes! I can't really afford to do them all since being made redundant but I will splash out as soon as I'm allowed.

[KeyboardWorriers]

I am saving to buy my son a boat. He.was really.getting good at dinghy sailing before the pandemic so I have a separate savings pot for his first dinghy. He has no idea! I would love to surprise him with the news once lockdown is over. Just need to find a 2nd hand boat at a good price

As a family we are putting money aside for renovations and a holiday. And building longer term savings for the children's university etc.

I like keeping different pots in separate accounts so I can see clearly how they are all doing.

[Stargirl84]

We’re saving for a holiday, once it is safe to go! Can’t wait!

[MargosKaftan]

We're saving but wish we weren't, j wish I could be spending time out, having fun with friends and family.

[EmNix]

Saving for home improvements. Its a good feeling when you can totally update a room and have the money available to buy nice things. Plus i have a small change pot which accumulates nicely for days out (not that its bern much use in the past year!).

[sharond101]

Experiences and holidays. They make the memories and are enjoyed by all of us not just the individual an item is purchased for.

[yesyoudoknowme]

Last year we should have had a 30th birthday (DS), a 60th birthday (me) and our 25th wedding anniversary. None of that happened so all the money we are saving by not commuting and all the coffees and meals out will go towards a big party!

[DowntonCrabby]

Our eldest completes higher education next summer when our youngest will be 9.
We’ve planned and saved for years to take 6+ months out as a family and travel around Australia & NZ (on a budget!)
We’ll be keeping our fingers crossed things go according to plan with any continued COVID restrictions but we may look at doing the USA & Canada or Europe instead.

[HandlebarLadyTash]

I love putting a little bit away as soon as I get paid & watching that turn into a decent lump. It then meant I can spoil myself and the kids. Pre covid it would be a trip to a london sight or two, food that we would have researched, & premier inn hotel to prolong the experience. Last time it was sea life centre, london eye street food nr the southbank, icecream at coledrops yard.
Cant wait to spend time with them out of the house & for us all to be relaxed.