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Original poster

Things you could afford but choose not to spend on?

191 replies

Netcurtainnelly · 08/08/2026 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:
Girlintheframe · 08/08/2026 17:30

expensive jewellery - I just don’t get it also see designer handbags/clothes

flash car - also don’t get it.

organic food

super high end skin care

I would however spend every penny I have on travel.

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 08/08/2026 17:30

@Paradoeshow do you do it yourself?

menopausalmare · 08/08/2026 17:24

A stupidly big status car- prefer my 14 year old fiesta.
Fake tan/lips/tits/nails/hair extensions/ lashes/veneers/ eyebrows.

DancingNotDrowning · 08/08/2026 17:20

A new car.

DH has two cars plus a motorbike.

i have zero interest. Mine is 7 years old. Does me perfectly well. Every few months he’s says why don’t we get you a new car but the idea of having to go and test drive options, wait for delivery and then get to grips with a new set of buttons is so off putting that I just can’t be bothered

squirrelchops2 · 08/08/2026 17:19

A million pound house.

WonderingAboutThus · 08/08/2026 17:16

Offherrockingchair · 08/08/2026 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!

Me too, 100%. We used to have twice the money, with no kids and free housing. Now we have a huge mortgage and kids and half the income, and struggle to break even.

I need to remind myself I never wanted (or did) the expensive holidays or expensive clothes or expensive restaurants, because not being able to have them makes me dream of them!

Pedant61 · 08/08/2026 17:15

Sparrowsandbudgies · 08/08/2026 16:20

A bigger house. A fancier kitchen. General home improvements unless really necessary.

We spend all our disposable income on eating out, days out and holidays.

All of this! On my deathbed, I want to remember all the fabulous places I have visited, not the fact that I had a conservatory or redecorated constantly!

RaraRachael · 08/08/2026 17:14

Any form of body or facial "enhancement"

DressOrSkirt · 08/08/2026 17:14

A car
Taxis (I'm a big fan of public transport)
Lip filler/Botox
Hairdresser
iPhone or other apple products

KookyFish · 08/08/2026 17:09

All the regular stuff, nails, new car, expensive clothes, beauty treatments etc

Completely agree with other posters that this happened when I became a lot more comfortable with money, I know so many people spending their last £100 on clothes whilst I could buy them 100x over and just don't feel the need to anymore.

Granted I walk around looking like a homeless person sometime but I have this internal peace of mind that I can afford it all if I wanted to.

Now holidays is where I spend my money!

havingoneofthosedays · 08/08/2026 17:08

Deuce26 · 08/08/2026 16:00

Being smug

🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

GrandmasCat · 08/08/2026 17:00

Takeaways, cocktails, takeaway coffees, branded clothing and bags.

Then, I spent it all on expensive adventure holidays as if I was not earning the peanuts that I earn.

godmum56 · 08/08/2026 16:59

Too many things to list.

waitinginwonderland · 08/08/2026 16:56

Brand new cars on finance. I could afford the monthly payment but why would I invest in something that loses value every day? I drive my cars into the ground then replace with another second hand one.

Charlize43 · 08/08/2026 16:55

A Brazilian bum lift.

I've never really understood why having a fat arse is something to aspire to,

Maybe it's because I'm French. I'm quite trim.

LifeBeginsToday · 08/08/2026 16:53

Holidays. I have no interest in them. I am on annual leave and kept being asked where I'm going. To the sofa - see you in two weeks.

Spidey66 · 08/08/2026 16:52

Definitely long haul flights. We’ve been to the US a couple of times but no interest in Thailand, Aus, etc. the idea of 24 hours flight and the jet lag puts me off.

AgnesMcDoo · 08/08/2026 16:50

Private education
Expensive cars
Designer clothes
handbags
make up

Newsenmum · 08/08/2026 16:50

More holidays longhaul and just holidays in general. Far too stressful with sen child, as sad as it is.

Busy places like theme parks that again we just avoid!

JacknDiane · 08/08/2026 16:48

I'm so very sorry for your loss @LadyMacbethWasFierce💐

ihadamarvelloustimeruiningeverything · 08/08/2026 16:48

@LadyMacbethWasFierce I’m sorry about the loss of your daughter

TVDinnerandwine · 08/08/2026 16:47

2nd home. Can’t think of anything more boring.

Minasama · 08/08/2026 16:46

I could afford pretty much anything I want (excluding larger things like a boat or a second home.)
I really don’t want anything much any more.
I don’t spend money on branded/designer wear as I am not interested in it.
One thing I don’t spend money on is new cars as they lose value so rapidly. I buy a top-spec second hand one 3-5 years old.

cityliving99 · 08/08/2026 16:44

Likeiloveyou · 08/08/2026 16:14

Bigger house
Better/newer car

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

Holidays have become so expensive. I have to go in the school holidays. My lovely home is my sanctuary and so I am now thinking I get much better value from my house!

PancakeCloud · 08/08/2026 16:44

Organic food (no evidence it’s any better for you)

General self-maintenance (I just don’t give a shit enough to do stuff like get my eyebrows shaped or lashes done … just not for me)

New furniture (so easy to get quality second hand)

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