To think that luxury is addictive?

I also believe that nothing is as wasteful as economy can be. By that I mean buy cheap, buy twice

I agree with this. I splurged on an expensive leather bag about 10 years ago- it's still going strong and looking great. Prior to that I'd buy cheaper bags and end up ditching them every few months when the zip inevitably got stuck or the lining came out etc

Buying cheap isnt always the "saving" you think its going to be.

Yeah, I’ll always drive a nice car, I’ll always have everything below my hairline waxed, I’m a shampoo snob etc. and I’m used to that level of living. I like to outsource, I rely heavily on my cleaner and we like M&S food.

Still buy my knickers and jammies in Primark though.

I completely agree.

There are things I will spend a lot of money on, e.g., winter coats, boots etc, BUT I look after them well and expect them to last a couple of decades, at least.

I've just put a pair of boots away for the summer, having had them resoled and heeled. They've been given a lovely leather treatment and a good polish and will have a nice snooze in their special boot box, with fancy boot trees and lavender sachets, until next winter.

They cost £300 15 years ago, which seemed like a frightening amount of money at the time, but they're still almost like new and I think they've paid for themselves.

Yes of course it can be addictive. Comfort, luxury, and buying yourself something great lights up the reward centres in your brain so you get a dopamine hit which feels good. That doesn't mean that everyone is addicted to buying stuff but it would be silly not to recognise that your brain's reward system plays a huge part in why people over spend beyond their means. They get pleasure from it- pretty basic really.

A mixture for me. Not hard up but still love hole-in-the-wall restaurants, supermarket picnics and cars that are straightforward rather than ones that "help" by beeping when your bag is on the seat/you're reversing/you're going over 20. I have to actively teach myself not to buy (most) clothes from the supermarket because frankly that's the kind of thing that comes most naturally and nicer things feel a con.

However - I am liberal in using taxis, buying experiences, solving problems with money and similar. Buying convenience is a big one for me - I'm on a health kick at the mo and bought weeks of a meal delivery service rather than faff with calorie counting.

I used to frown upon taking taxis and always spent ages getting places on buses and tubes and trains. Now I have a bit more income I have discovered the joy of Uber and it is very hard to be disciplined and not take them too often. Being taken door to door is a luxury I have really adapted to!

This can't be universally true or no one would ever go camping 😀

I know what you mean OP. Never been able to afford business class but one time when flying to Japan, I randomly asked (it was £15,000 each at time of booking return), and on the desk that day it was £430 one way each. I immediately handed over my bank card - same again on return but cheaper at £375 each. Since then, I always ask when checking in how much an upgrade is. Never been that lucky since lol. Hated flying economy last week, kept saying to DH “wouldn’t have had to deal with that if we were in business” lol

practically speaking, I think it’s mostly easier to get used to more luxurious things than to downgrade to less nice things.

Asking colleagues about the downsides of a new job where all business travel was in business class, everyone mentioned that it made holidays more expensive because it was hard to be content in economy once used to business class.

Hotels are more complex though. Again, when travelling on business I just want everything to work so that I don’t waste any time getting things sorted, international, anonymous hotels where if you woke up having forgotten where you are, there would be very few clues about the location are perfect when working.

On holiday I’m happier with something much quirkier or even eccentric for the sake of a wonderful view or. even better , charming hosts. I know i won’t be rushing out for an early taxi and will be able to linger over a second coffee and enjoy the view.

Having as a student made very long journeys by coach including North Sea coast to Greece nowadays I would never consider spending hours and hours in a bumpy coach. I’d much rather stay at home but then home is not a lot nicer than my student flat.

overall, though I agree it’s easier to have things getting nicer than deadline with reducing circumstances

.

This is me 100%,
I love luxury, especially restaurants and hotels.
luckily I can afford it these days.

Not me, I’m totally content with basic things. I live a simple life and am very happy.

Is everything ok..?

Definitely. I’d rather go without than have rubbish.

We have travelled loads and finally in our 60s/70s we've just had our first business class experience.

We have some short haul flights booked soon with EasyJet and that's going to be fine, but any long haul flights in the future will have to include business class or we just won't go.

I’m not sure of luxury exactly but I definitely believe in buying the best you can afford.

I also believe that nothing is as wasteful as economy can be. By that I mean buy cheap, buy twice.

@SpottedDonkey makes a good point. I would never compromise on flights, hotels, wardrobe, home groceries but cannot bear a stuffy tasting menu situation (unless it’s omakase). Those sorts of affairs always seem to be about the restaurant, not you: interrupting so they can tell you about a jus…don’t care…and I’m a miserable bitch so expect them to quickly read the room aka my face which is saying I don’t want the schmooze, which they inevitably fail to pick up on.

Hmm. While I agree, I don’t think k it’s particularly positive to accept you’ve grown accustomed to living well.
50yrs ago, a daily hot shower was not the norm. The greats of history achieved their greatness without being accustomed to the ease we enjoy.

I don’t think it’s a good thing to be unable to go back. Maybe holidays should be about roughing it again, to remain adaptable.

I mean, your dc… they’ve never known anything else presumably. They may lack empathy for the reality of other people’s lives.

It’s good old fashioned lifestyle creep. It’s why you get people on here trying to convince people they’re struggling on £100k. They can manage on less, they just don’t want to.

Quite. It’s nothing to do with flashy. It’s to do with what I consider to be a pleasant experience rather than suffering something. It’s a break away from home to do something lovely x

Definitely

For me, good quality food and ingredients has really made a difference, and I hate to buy cheap stuff now - things like tinned tomatoes or meat, spending a bit more really makes a difference

Also, tech - I'd buy the best quality or go without x

Hotels, no. I have stayed in proper 5* places, and they are great, but I’m still perfectly happy in a Premier Inn or similar standard chain hotel as long as it’s in the right location.

Restaurants, definitely not. When I’m in a different country I would much rather eat the authentic local food at a simple, popular local restaurant full of local people than go to some posh pretentious place full of rich tourists. I’m very much an omnivore though, so it’s easy for me to be adventurous than for someone who is a fussy eater or has dietary restrictions.

Flying, very much yes. I have been fortunate enough to fly long haul business class many times, and got an upgrade to first on one memorable occasion. It really is a completely different experience to economy. Being able to lie down, stretch out & actually get some sleep on an overnight flight is wonderful. Once you have done it a couple of times it makes long-haul economy feel like a form of torture. easyJet & BA economy are still fine for short haul, though.

I like nice things but then who doesn’t? I only stay in 5 star hotels because who wants to pay for a holiday where you have less than you have at home? Not the point of the “holiday” surely

I use the phrase “paying to suffer”. And, like the PP above, I’m sure I’ll be flamed and people won’t understand that two things can exist at once and life isn’t a race to the bottom blah blah blah, but let’s say my husband suddenly said to me we were flying economy, I’d probably say I’d rather not go. I’d have more fun and comfort and home, not blowing a cheaper airfare “paying to suffer”.