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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:
Charlize43 · 08/08/2026 16:42

A cocaine habit.

Is it ageist of me to think that an over 50s (I'm 59) woman taking social cocaine habit is just plain old tacky.

GreenCaterpillarOnALeaf · 08/08/2026 16:42

Tbh we could definitely afford to shop somewhere that’s not Lidl but it’s so conveniently located and sometimes I go with my dad and we do our big shop together which is nice.

Could afford a fancier car but I love my Fiat! It’s very inconvenient, and we do have a big 7 seater as the family car but I love Fifi and I won’t give up my cool car just because I’m a mum, I also don’t want to upgrade because I’m very emotionally attached to her.
We could probably get the kids more toys but tbh I really don’t want a house full of crap. Doesn’t mean I love them less.

TV subscriptions/ packages. We only have a TV in our room don’t have one in the living room (I never had one as a kid). Our TV is just basic free view with on demand iplayer ect. I’m not a big TV person to be honest apart from The Real Housewives (judge all you want I love it) but I watch that on my laptop.

cityliving99 · 08/08/2026 16:42

AImportantMermaid · 08/08/2026 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!

My nails cracked n the menopause. Having natural looking gel nails has prevented a lot of discomfort. I don’t need to worry about them splitting and causing pain.

Ineedanewsofa · 08/08/2026 16:42

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!

100 percent agree with this, I’m the same! Although I do think that the quality of everything has gone down a lot since 2020 so most things don’t feel like value for money any more which makes it easier to decide not to spend.

JaceLancs · 08/08/2026 16:40

Takeaways
Going to pub or wine bar
Anything new that I can buy second hand
Cleaner and gardener - but that’s mainly because it’s hard to find a reliable one
Newer car than my old banger

SoScarletItWas · 08/08/2026 16:40

Spendy skin care / Botox / lashes etc
A cleaner
The Maldives and suchlike
Designer clothes and bags
Watches
Takeaways / Deliveroo (I DO spend on nice restaurants)

Supersleepysheepy · 08/08/2026 16:38

Botox or lip fillers - horrible stuff and definitely never an improvement.

Branded weetabix - dd prefers Tesco own brand.

Private school and associated vat - happy to pay it if we choose private but not something we are choosing at the moment.

Hot tub - horrible.

Cruises - not my thing, but dd and dh would be sick the whole time anyway.

flippinnorastights · 08/08/2026 16:35

I have zero interest in tech. I’ve never. Bought a tv, never owned any gaming things, we have sky but to me it’s literally the biggest waste of money, I buy the cheapest SIM only contracts I can find. My phone is 7 years old and I’ll keep it until it dies. Couldn’t interest me less. Don’t have Spotify or any music channels just a waste of money.

canuckup · 08/08/2026 16:32

Expensive skin and hair treatments

RaraRachael · 08/08/2026 16:30

Designer label anything

Dancer48 · 08/08/2026 16:24

Kitchen roll

Happyjoe · 08/08/2026 16:23

So much. Don't do designer, don't have nails, brows, hair done (cut my own, have done for years), holidays because of having animals, posher car. All my cars have been old and finally bought a new (cheap, no street cred) one 3 years ago, that will see me out.

Only thing I tend to spend money on is nice things for the house and the garden. Love the garden.

hattie43 · 08/08/2026 16:22

Designer clothes
Porsche or a n other expensive car
Tech
£100+ skincare
There’s lots I do spend on but not the above

Swissmeringue · 08/08/2026 16:21

Designer labels
Expensive/newer cars
Gadgets and tech, our TV is one DH owned when we met, in 2007. 😂

But we spend loads on travel and nice food. Happy to spend where we get genuine enjoyment out of it and save where it's of no interest to us.

GoodkneeBadKnee · 08/08/2026 16:21

Handbags.

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.

Hedjwitch · 08/08/2026 16:20

Takeaway coffee
False nails
Colouring my hair
Latest tech

Happyjoe · 08/08/2026 16:20

ToadRage · 08/08/2026 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 :-)

AImportantMermaid · 08/08/2026 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!

youalright · 08/08/2026 16:18

Designer labels
New car
Bigger house
Long haul holidays

ToadRage · 08/08/2026 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.

LlynTegid · 08/08/2026 16:16

Starbucks coffee

LlynTegid · 08/08/2026 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).

JulMay6 · 08/08/2026 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.

Gingefringe · 08/08/2026 16:14

A cruise

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