What’s an “unpopular” spending or money decision that actually works well for you?

Yep, we do exactly the same, I have no idea what he earns either, or spends...most people frown at it, we've been married 33yrs

Hello Fresh once a fortnight..actually saves me money.

Spending on credit cards. I know how much I have left over from pay after bills each month. So spend on the credit cards up to this (minus any savings i set aside) I get cashback from credit cards, put all pay in an instant savings account and only pay the card off in full each month just before the due date. I earn quite a bit each year basically doubling my interest on money that if spent from a debit card as I go, I wouldn't earn a penny off.

Not good advise for someone who isn't good with controlling their spending as I can see how some people could end up in a hole with this. But works for me

I don't believe in fixing my interest rate on a mortgage. I have always got discounted floating rates or trackers.

That is because dh and I are in a strong credit position and can pretty much get the lowest rate tracker in the market. Hence, we take the risk that the interest goes up mid-term because if it did, it should within reason be affordable.

The reasoning behind this is to take the bird in hand of current lower rates. If interest rates were to subsequently rise, we would already have had a period of low rates to offset the rise and hence we could still come out quids in before the end of the discount period.

You only do well on fixed rates if at the time you fix, interest rates happen to be relatively low. Otherwise you will be stuck with a high fix for up to 5 years!

I STRONGLY believe in giving away a minimum of 10 percent of my income! Practiced this for over 3 decades!!!

I've been fortunate in never having HAD to budget. But I have quite frugal tastes. I never throw anything out while it's still working, even if it is a bit tatty!

It doesn't make any difference what the actual figures are

If the % return is higher, you make more through investments than you lose in mortgage interest

It's not just about those percentages though, actual figures matter.

As well as that, whatever % you're paying to a mortgage provider, is still money going to them that could be invested to grow an investment portfolio instead.

It’s not about being “convincing”, it’s just different people having different priorities. The mortgage is not my priority, and my advice to others who have young children is to prioritise living and memories; I’m not trying to convince you or any one else of anything, completely ignore it or relate to it, your call.

Finance gurus will likely be advising from the point of viewing of paying down the most expensive debt of which it might not have been the mortgage the last few years, or savings/investment was a better use of money, again it’s not about “convincing” you, they’re just being factual, if you’re someone who feels burdened by the mortgage, you’ll have a different priority.

So your Tesco or wherever refuses cash?

Are you in the UK?

This just doesn’t work where I live. I used to do it pre Covid now there are only 3 places I can use cash - the car wash, barbers and local pet food supplier.

My mortgage was 0.68%, my investments earned 14%.

Yes many finance gurus online dont advise it either, but I have yet to hear a convincing reason as to why not.

It is quite suspicious isnt it!

I ask for jewellery for Birthdays and Christmas presents from people! It holds its value, lasts a lifetime and could be liquidated into cash in an emergency.

I mostly wear silver jewellery (I am allergic to 9ct gold) and in the last year it’s doubled in value.

It will also be a nice collection to hand down to my Daughters, and each piece holds a special memory!

We came to the same conclusion as you on pet insurance. As you say it’s a gamble, but we’ve also saved thousands and reckon that if something serious came up we’d probably still be quids in or break even over having paid out on years of pet insurance.

I don't buy or join in rounds of drinks as a general rule.

If there is only two of you then it's different obvs, that's not a "round".

Purchased an ex-council house on the edge of the local estate when our first child was 5 months old. 4 bedrooms and 80 foot garden was £58,000 in 1996. Mortgage was paid off within 20 years and we’ve never moved as we have all the space we need. People just can’t understand why we’re still here and haven’t moved to a ‘better area’. However, we’ve both just retired (aged 54) and have lots of disposable income for fun, meals out and holidays. Won’t touch our pensions for at least another 12 years 😊

I don't spend money on holidays. I am quite happy to stay at home. Parents never had much money when I was growing up, so we only ever went on holiday three times (all in the UK). First DH loved a holiday each year, so I went to keep him happy, but I wasn't that bothered. Second DH and I went on holiday when DC were small, but only for three or four night UK breaks. When we split up, I just didn't have the money for a holiday. It's 30 years since I last went away.

The thing about budgeting/searching for deals etc is that they do all take time.

You can reduce your expenditure a bit. But you can increase your income a lot lot more.

(We're time-poor at the moment, and my six figure earning husband pissed me off the other day by going out to earn £25 in his lunch break.)

The Roller might get a puncture.

I try and stick to two days no spending, and then every third day I spend money, if I think about something I want to buy, normally by the day I can spend money, iv changed my mind and don’t actually want it. Helps me not be wasteful, and iv actually managed to get a few ££££ in saving that iv never been able to do. I still buy myself things, iv just thought about them for longer and not been impulsive

Instead of selling our first property ( got it 15 years ago, small mortgage - big equity), we waited and saved enough to get a second house which is now a large enough, but smaller family home than we could have gone for if we opted to sell and own just one property.

Some places near me literally won't take cash. I tried to pay in cash at my local dry cleaners the other day and he wouldn't take it because he doesn't have a cash register any more - just a computer screen and keyboard linked up to a tap pay device!

A lot of my spending is unpopular on here. I have a part financed car. It means I can drive something comfortable that doesn’t hurt my back and has a lot of nice features making driving more pleasant and safe so it works for me. It’s not a luxury brand or owt, just a nice model that I couldn’t buy outright.

I also spend a lot on food, mostly for convenience. I rarely shop in Aldi or Lidl as I can’t get close to a full shop there (I have ND teens with quite specific food aversions). I also hate the faff of supermarket shopping so am happy to pay for it to be delivered.

Im generally happy to spend money on things that make my life easier now.

I only buy expensive clothes and shoes because the fabric and cut are better, so look better, I will wear them more and they will last longer. Same with make up - the more expensive stuff has better pigmentation and formulas so it looks better and lasts longer.

I also really value my time above everything. If taking the train will cost me £5 but take 50 mins or taking a taxi will cost £15 but take 20 minutes, I'm taking the taxi. Likewise things like DIY and decorating. I could spend my precious weekends and evenings painting coving and caulking skirting boards, but I value my off time more, so to me it's worth it to pay someone so I can keep that time protected.