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AIBU?

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Original poster

What’s one small thing you could give up that would save you a LOT of money long term?!

382 replies

early30smum · 10/08/2025 22:12

Coffees in London are around £4 now. I definitely don’t get one myself every day, but between me and my husband we definitely average out at spending this per day just on coffee. We just worked out, spending £4 a day on coffee every day, is almost £1,500 a year. Just on takeaway coffee. Insane. Over 20 years, that’s just under £30,000…

OP posts:
LillyPJ · 11/08/2025 22:47

WalkDontWalk · 11/08/2025 22:27

Alcohol : gave up three years ago. £1000

Is that per year? So you were spending about twenty quid a week on alcohol? And you felt that was worth giving up?

If we gave up, we'd probably target an aspirational idea of reducing our alcohol expenditure to twenty quid a week.

I mean, if that's all you're spending, why give up?

Edited

£20 could be 5 bottles of cheap plonk! And alcohol isn't necessary and it's actually bad for you. Anyway, it's £20 spare to spend on something else which some people might prefer.

whymewhyme · 11/08/2025 22:38

WorriedRelative · 10/08/2025 22:46

Horses

Not going to happen though

Same

Zezet · 11/08/2025 22:32

arcticpandas · 11/08/2025 20:51

I do my colour at home, about 4 times a year. 5£ × 4= 20£. I spend more on chocolate in one month 😅 but we all have our priorities in life🤣

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Yes, it is crazy expensive. I had never died my hair before and this hairdresser specializes in blonde and she was the only one I dared to try with. And then the result was amazing, and incredibly low maintenance (I mean I changed shampoos but that's it) and grows out supernaturally, and so I stuck with her and with it.

On the plus side, I literally think about how much I love it every single time I look in the mirror so it is definitely worth it to me. But it's the only thing I do or buy where I told my DP we are going to do "don't ask don't tell" on the cost.😅

WalkDontWalk · 11/08/2025 22:27

Alcohol : gave up three years ago. £1000

Is that per year? So you were spending about twenty quid a week on alcohol? And you felt that was worth giving up?

If we gave up, we'd probably target an aspirational idea of reducing our alcohol expenditure to twenty quid a week.

I mean, if that's all you're spending, why give up?

GlitteryUnicornSparkles · 11/08/2025 22:14

Pets - I’d probably be rich!

Followed by:
Chocolate / snacks, I spend far too much on this. I’d not only save a lot of pennies but be skinny too - bonus!

TimothyIsNotAnArmardillo · 11/08/2025 22:08

Holidays - we spend between 10 and 15% 0f our income on lovely holidays.

I have given up buying lunch everyday - saved a fortune. When I start wavering I remind myself of how much I enjoy a stay in a beautiful hotel.

okydokethen · 11/08/2025 21:54

Buying drinks and snacks from petrol stations

helenatroy · 11/08/2025 21:53

You sound like me!

arcticpandas · 11/08/2025 20:54

Lilyhatesjaz · 11/08/2025 16:57

Meeting friends in coffee shops is my main method of socialising and I wouldn't want to give it up, but buying a cup of tea rather than coffee can sometimes save as much as £1 a time.

How about meeting up for a walk? (With waterbottles with you ofcourse)

arcticpandas · 11/08/2025 20:51

Zezet · 11/08/2025 06:57

Being blonde would be the easiest one for sure. £300 at the hairdresser (though only twice a year) and the products to keep blonde dyed hair healthy are also £££££.

I do my colour at home, about 4 times a year. 5£ × 4= 20£. I spend more on chocolate in one month 😅 but we all have our priorities in life🤣

OliviaBonas · 11/08/2025 19:49

cumbriaisbest · 11/08/2025 17:26

How does that work for people who have no extra money?

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They typically get into debt.

iamnotalemon · 11/08/2025 19:36

Lilyhatesjaz · 11/08/2025 16:57

Meeting friends in coffee shops is my main method of socialising and I wouldn't want to give it up, but buying a cup of tea rather than coffee can sometimes save as much as £1 a time.

It winds me up how expensive tea is out. 🤣 I have to be desperate to get one.

Rosscameasdoody · 11/08/2025 19:32

SaladAndChipsForTea · 11/08/2025 19:08

😆 I know what you mean, there is just something so decadent and relaxing about a physical magazine!

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Yep. And when you swat flies with them the screen doesn’t shatter !!

SaladAndChipsForTea · 11/08/2025 19:08

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 11/08/2025 09:25

Local library is only open when I'm at work sadly, and is very small and run by volunteers. I have thought about getting the digital versions of the mags on subscription, but it's just not the SAME! I do pass them on to others when I've finished reading though, and tell myself that it's getting my money's worth.

But then I don't smoke, don't drink, don't go out much, don't have many hobbies that cost anything - I can't work out why I'm not a milliionaire, when magazines are my only real spend!

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😆 I know what you mean, there is just something so decadent and relaxing about a physical magazine!

NoPaintedPony · 11/08/2025 18:33

Financing my mother!

I used to take her shopping every week for her groceries & pay; pay her utilities; choose/pay/wrap every present she got her grandchildren; take her on day trips and longer holidays. Never to even be bought a cup of coffee.

Due to her abusive behaviour, not just involving finances, we now don’t have anything to do with each other. I have more money, and at more peace than I’ve ever been.

cumbriaisbest · 11/08/2025 18:05

More info needed @ Hedjwitch !

Hedjwitch · 11/08/2025 17:37

Wine. I spend far too much on alcohol.
Don't smoke,do drugs, buy takeaways and very rarely eat out or buy coffee on the go,so I might as well have one vice.

cumbriaisbest · 11/08/2025 17:28

TaborlinTheGreat · 11/08/2025 13:59

Gave it up altogether or just made it less 'Greedfesty'?
I'd never give up Christmas - I love it! I don't see the need to make it last for weeks and spend a fortune on presents though. Some of the lists on here of what people have bought are unbelievable!

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I hate it, thankfully the kid years are behind me now.

I hate that it starts soon, it involves a sickening amount of waste, people fall out, there is no natural light. Love the 26th December.

cumbriaisbest · 11/08/2025 17:26

KaitlynnFairchild · 11/08/2025 11:51

Impulse buying and dopamine chasing!

Damn ADHD costs me a fortune.

How does that work for people who have no extra money?

FullOfMomsense · 11/08/2025 17:13

The money I spend on my aesthetics- filler, botox, hair, nails, skin treatments, lashes, brows, tan. It's definitely in the thousands PA.

Going for long drives- that would save me a lot of money.

I bought myself a very expensive coffee machine and an ice maker to save money on takeout coffee- the upfront cost was a lot but I do save money day-to-day. It's also improved my quality of life having amazing coffee at home anytime! I still do buy coffee if I'm out and really fancy one, but I used to buy one everytime I'd leave the house- sometimes multiple times a day.

Lilyhatesjaz · 11/08/2025 16:57

Meeting friends in coffee shops is my main method of socialising and I wouldn't want to give it up, but buying a cup of tea rather than coffee can sometimes save as much as £1 a time.

Purplebunnie · 11/08/2025 15:44

Cinaferna · 10/08/2025 22:38

DH does this. It drives me nuts.

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We do it as well. I bought plug plants on line as it was supposed to be cheaper, biggest waste of money ever. Ended up buying fully grown plants.

TaborlinTheGreat · 11/08/2025 13:59

cumbriaisbest · 11/08/2025 10:58

Gave up the annual Greedfest of Xmas, years ago.

Gave it up altogether or just made it less 'Greedfesty'?
I'd never give up Christmas - I love it! I don't see the need to make it last for weeks and spend a fortune on presents though. Some of the lists on here of what people have bought are unbelievable!

Whizzgosh · 11/08/2025 13:48

I could save a load of money by meal planning and then sticking to it. I’m not sure I have it in me though, I hate thinking about what to cook let alone doing it in bulk. This would save on wastage and little top up shops from expensive local shops.
A couple of years ago I was running late to a hairdresser appointment, she could only fit in a dry cut, I’ve never bothered with the wash or blow dry since. I’m not sure I knew a dry cut was possible before, this must have saved me plenty!

malificent7 · 11/08/2025 13:04

Fizzy water
Vinted
Holidays
Festivals
Netflix

But you know what...These things bring joy. You can't take it with you and we are here forsuch a sbort time...id rather have less savings and more fun!
IfI was rich I could have both!