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Original poster

How much "mad money" do you have?

185 replies

DecemberGoneWild · 19/12/2025 13:38

Assuming that you are comfortable-ish. I know there are plenty of people who dont have anything. This is for people who are fortunate enough to have some.

By "mad money" I mean "pocket money" or "selfish money" ie money that is set aside for you to blow on whatever you like and doesn't have to be accounted for.

And what do you spend it on?

I get £400 a month. It's meant for haurcits, clothes, nights out etc but I currently fritter it away on crap and then have no money to buy things I need (I need new trainers but spent it all so am currently wearing trainers that are worn and give me blisters).

Sadly I also ran up £3000 on my credit card (mostly non-essentials) so most of my £400 going forward will have to go towards paying that off next year. So I'll still be (relatively) broke!

OP posts:
Crushed23 · 19/12/2025 14:22

I don’t set anything aside. I buy things as and when from my paycheck / current account (well actually I put everything on a credit card and pay it off in full every month).

I didn’t realise how common it is to have ‘pots’ for things, even when you’re comfortable / well off until I joined MN! I would find it very restrictive - what I spend money on each month varies A LOT, and my life is very unpredictable / spontaneous (which give me a lot of joy).

Junenights · 19/12/2025 14:20

InveterateWineDrinker · 19/12/2025 14:15

Why not just use plain English to ask people to validate the spendthrift lifestyle you cannot afford?

Thank you for this. couldn't have put it better myself

andanotherproblem · 19/12/2025 14:19

Around 400/500 per month at the moment but I rarely spend this on myself. From next month though I will be saving it all to buy a car

Minjou · 19/12/2025 14:18

No set amount. I can spend whatever I like, within reason. I don't have expensive tastes but I do buy too many flights and hotel stays 😊

sorrynotathome · 19/12/2025 14:16

I have as much as I want, thanks. What do you mean you "get" £400? Where from? If you haven't earned it that's sad. Anyway, you're clearly financially incontinent and perhaps should seek help. What is the big deal with wearing trainers that have been worn?

InveterateWineDrinker · 19/12/2025 14:15

Why not just use plain English to ask people to validate the spendthrift lifestyle you cannot afford?

FunnysInLaJardin · 19/12/2025 14:14

We have plenty of spare cash thanks to a couple of inheritances, however it is mostly invested.

We keep a buffer of available cash so we can buy what we need and treat the DC, but we wouldn't dream of spending it on stuff we don't need or frittering it away. The very thought brings me out in a cold sweat!

haveaword · 19/12/2025 14:12

£500 I don the same fritter

So I’ve recently started a DD to save £100 and am allowing that to mount up to do something v nice with

I sometimes try to spend £100 on gaps in my wardrobe due to weight gain

A lot is spent on eating out and Amazon bits

TheCountessAtChristmas · 19/12/2025 14:10

Well you have zero mad money because you should be paying off the CC!

Sillysoggyspaniel · 19/12/2025 14:08

You're being unreasonable because you clearly can't afford £400 money to waste on things when you need to deal with that credit card. You're not as well off as you need to be for your lifestyle.

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