Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to save less and spend more enjoying life now?

59 replies

windywhale · 13/03/2026 01:46

I do all the sensible things; pay extra into my pension, save additional money to bridge the gap between retirement & pension. Save for my dcs uni costs/deposits.

However with the current economic strife my money just isn’t going as far & I can’t afford as nice holidays, days out, renovations etc.

Sometimes I think fuck it, I should just save less but then i’m very conscious that uni costs keep going up & up, the state pension may not exist when I’m older, it’s likely I will need private healthcare etc.

Obviously I’m lucky I have money left over to save but I thought once I got over the childcare years I would have more money in my pocket & be able to enjoy my hard work more.

I feel like even with savings life is getting more & more expensive so perhaps I should enjoy it more now

OP posts:
Beetlejuice3 · 13/03/2026 06:33

I’m with you OP. My mum spent all her life saving and died at 52. When we found out it was terminal she went on some great holidays and bought a new car etc and wished she’d done it sooner. I have enough in the pot for a rainy day and milestones for my DD but as long as I’m sensible and have a back up, I’m of the mindset of enjoying the rest because tomorrow isn’t promised

Original poster
windywhale · 13/03/2026 06:33

it’s good to be able to contribute, but if they decide to go, they need to shoulder at least some of the financial responsibility…

But parents are expected to contribute today as my income impacts how much loan they get & have you seen the interest rates? Most people I know are paying £500 a month minimum to support dc with accommodation costs, their dc also work alongside study.

And you’re not only saving extra into your pension, you’re saving even more for the period between your retirement and state pension!

Because my work pension is the same age as my state pension; 68. I’m not sure I will be able to work till then.

OP posts:
Original poster
windywhale · 13/03/2026 06:28

Pigeonpoodle · 13/03/2026 06:17

And I think you’re being alarmist if you think Government will abolish the state pension (especially for people of your age) and scrap the NHS.

Really? I definitely think the state pension will change either the age will move out again. the triple lock will be removed (for younger people) &/or it will be means tested. There will be changes as the demographics just don’t stack up.

The NHS will exist but accessing it may be the hard part. I am already having to use private healthcare for an issue as the waiting list is so long. Again that won’t improve with more older people.

We do not pay anywhere near enough tax for a state pension & free healthcare.

OP posts:
Pigeonpoodle · 13/03/2026 06:17

And I think you’re being alarmist if you think Government will abolish the state pension (especially for people of your age) and scrap the NHS.

FiveShelties · 13/03/2026 06:15

Most people run out of life before they run out of money.

Someone said this to me years ago and it is so true.

Pigeonpoodle · 13/03/2026 06:13

It sounds like you’re already very financially prudent. You don’t need to pay for your children’s university - it’s good to be able to contribute, but if they decide to go, they need to shoulder at least some of the financial responsibility… And you’re not only saving extra into your pension, you’re saving even more for the period between your retirement and state pension!

Without seeing your finances it’s impossible to say, but it sounds like you’ve got the balance wrong… Life is for living today, as well as for living (hopefully) tomorrow.

ThePerfectWeekender · 13/03/2026 06:08

I'm probably an outlier (life limiting condition), but I wish I'd lived and travelled more. I was forced to medically retire in my 40s. Whilst I'm financially comfortable there are so many things I can't do now and wish I'd taken more opportunities when I was healthy.

Original poster
windywhale · 13/03/2026 06:02

@MyCheekyEagle Im so torn though because I know I may not even reach old age but i’m scared to stop saving. I guess it’s also an awareness that even if I save every penny I likely won’t have enough for everything.

OP posts:
MyCheekyEagle · 13/03/2026 03:57

We've just reached 60 & are in a position financially for me to give up work, so I have.
Apart from any necessary repairs to the house & a quick, minimal decoration we're not going to throw money at it anymore either. We'd rather enjoy our savings than spend it on a house which could end up being used for care home fees.
You just need a balance between saving for old age & living for now if you can. Life is too short to save every penny & not enjoy yourself along the way.