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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Things you could afford but choose not to spend on?

107 replies

Netcurtainnelly · Today 15:55

Things you could afford but don't bother with/choose not to spend on.

Inspired by the cleaning thread.
What could you afford but don't have/do?

A cleaner, just do it ourselves.
A long haul holiday. No interest.

OP posts:
ChocolateCinderToffee · Today 15:57

Designer labels.
A car.
Costume jewellery.
The latest food fads.

TheyGrewUp · Today 15:59

I don't have shop bought lunches and coffees on a daily basis. I take a flask and packed lunch to work. Never have takeaways and eat out less and less and it wasn't much to start with.

We have all the other stuff.

RaraRachael · Today 16:00

A bigger house- 2 bedrooms is enough and it's in a beautiful location
A flashier car- ours gets us from A to B just the same
Expensive clothes - no occasion to wear them
Expensive skincare/makeup - absolutely no interest

Deuce26 · Today 16:00

Being smug

Samewrinklesnewname · Today 16:02

Replacing my 11 year old car
”designer” clothes

superchick · Today 16:04

Tech - we have one TV that is 18 years old, no paid streaming services - just the free ones, basic cheap smartphones. DD (15) has a laptop now for her GCSES and I use work laptop for anything I need to do. DS (11) happy with a switch and a couple of old games. No plans to upgrade anything.

Paradoes · Today 16:06

Cleaner- I wouldnt like someone in my home so I do it myself.

Takeaways- prefer cooking

Eyebrow tint just as easy to do at home

IronEverything · Today 16:06

Fancy coffees/smoothies/juices or pretty much any random drink that costs the best part of a tenner for no apparent reason. I once saw the lady in Costa get a carton of fruit juice and throw it in the blender with some ice, it was down on the menu as some sort of fruity creation and cost about £6. It's robbery.

I love designer clothes and accessories though so I suppose we all have our places to save or splurge.

ThankYouNigel · Today 16:07

Branded products- clothes, food, cleaning products, toiletries, etc.

Cold/hot drinks or ice cream out- I disagree with how much they now cost, so I’d rather take my own or have them at home.

LadyMacbethWasFierce · Today 16:10

Spa days/beauty treatments/make up/hairdresser/nails. It’s not because I think I couldn’t be improved! I just don’t enjoy any of that.

I had never even been to a hair salon (had had a friend of a friend cut my hair at home) until a few months ago, when my beloved daughter died unexpectedly and I just needed to look entirely different. Not like myself at all. I was 58 and had long reddish brown hair that was not as grey as some of my vintage and that I coloured myself. I’d have happily hacked it all off and bleached it at home, but for the sake of my other children and my husband and my father I decided to have it done professionally so I didn’t look a total fright (I wasn’t sleeping or eating and looked dreadful already).

I was a professional woman with a good income. I could have afforded salon treatments for years. I just could not be bothered. I have to say my fabulous daughter would love the new me. But for me it’s just about not looking like myself now.

JulMay6 · Today 16:11

Probably brand new clothes from shops. I’ve started to buy a lot of my clothes off Vinted. Sometimes I’ve found something I like in the shop, searched for it on Vinted and got it very good or new with tags for half the price.

FlapperFlamingo · Today 16:12

I do have a weekly cleaner and love travelling. But I rarely buy clothes, never buy makeup or other face products, don’t drink, rarely eat out.

SunnyRedSnail · Today 16:13

Clothes - we buy second hand as better for environment.

Any plastic tat that will end up in landfill.

Offherrockingchair · Today 16:13

Loads of things and the more money I’ve had, bizarrely, the less I’ve coveted things. It’s as though knowing I could if I wanted to is enough. I’m sure a psychologist would have an explanation for that!

the80sweregreat · Today 16:14

Jewellery , apart from a watch ( not expensive)
Designer clothes ( mostly because they wouidnt do my size as well)
Too many treatments , but I do like my eyebrows done as home tinting isn’t easy.

Likeiloveyou · Today 16:14

Bigger house
Better/newer car

Not interested in either. I prefer to spend my disposable income on holidays.

Gingefringe · Today 16:14

A cruise

JulMay6 · Today 16:15

Also high end make up. I used to buy a load, I just don’t want to spend £30 on a lipstick anymore.

LlynTegid · Today 16:16

Fast fashion, I am happy to be unfashionable if that is the result.
Flying when a train option exists.
If I do fly, not flying with Ryanair, even if the alternative costs a lot more.
Supermarket fruit and veg (have a local market).

LlynTegid · Today 16:16

Starbucks coffee

ToadRage · Today 16:17

I was so tempted recently to buy a bright pink, folding, motorised wheelchair. I didn't because i don't NEED one atm. I have a push along wheelchair and an orange mobility scooter. Hopefully when I do need one I can still afford/find one.

youalright · Today 16:18

Designer labels
New car
Bigger house
Long haul holidays

AImportantMermaid · Today 16:19

Nails. I hate the feel and look of painted nails. My Dd gets her nails done and it has ruined her actual lovely natural nails. Imagine damaging the real thing to get the fake thing put on top!

Happyjoe · Today 16:20

ToadRage · Today 16:17

I was so tempted recently to buy a bright pink, folding, motorised wheelchair. I didn't because i don't NEED one atm. I have a push along wheelchair and an orange mobility scooter. Hopefully when I do need one I can still afford/find one.

Yeah.. but PINK! Sounds awesome :-)

Hedjwitch · Today 16:20

Takeaway coffee
False nails
Colouring my hair
Latest tech

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