Stuff - how much do you spend on yourself each month?

[toycar]

Obviously I know it depends on income and your expenses each month. I dont want to ask what your situation re your income is, more just how often you pick up "stuff" and your shopping habits.

DH and I are trying to save more and he is adamant that if i stopped buying "all the crap" i do, we would be quids in. I dont think Im excessive. An average month I spend about £150 on eg (excluding things like coffee out with friends, gym or hair appointments if I actually did those things):

• make up

-a woolly jumper from tesco -a book -fashion items like an oversized hair clip

• candles
• neom products

-body shop bath things -a scarf

Are you constantly buying shit you don't need? How do you stop buying?

Thanks!!!

thanks everyone- totally forgot about the budget threads even though im on here almost a decade.

really interesting thoughts and approaches on spending and saving.

my dh has been vegan for a year now, no leather and donating to greenpeace/poverty uk (changing our household shopping) and i see those ethics as important but even that hasn't stopped me spending on crap and buying every other day.

I try to only buy stuff I need or that I will use a lot/keep a long time/wear a lot etc. - and quality over quantity.

That said, I probably buy too much. I'm single and don't have (or plan to have) kids and recently I've been feeling like I'm perfectly justified to spend my money as I want to... I don't really go out for drinks or meals and prefer to spend on things that improve my daily life.

This month for example I've bought several items of clothing (but all organic cotton from ethical brands in styles I'll wear for a long time, not fast fashion), a couple of nice mugs because I fancied really nice mugs for my tea, a cushion for the sofa and new lovely socks to replace some that were past their best.

Honestly in an average month - 0
I do buy clothes occasionally, maybe once or twice a year. Shoes I probably buy 3 pairs a year tops and usually 1 or 2 pairs is running shoes which have to be replaced.
Treats for myself like candles etc just never happens, I have no interest.
Make up I buy only stuff when it runs out so very rarely, nothing this year.
I get much greater pleasure in over paying my mortgage than I would buying random crap.
I’m not a complete bore though, we spend a a fair amount of money doing fun things with the kids at the weekend.

i'm a marketing company's dream, spending like i'm rich.

we do over pay mortgage with an extra chunk (30% extra) but its savings and budgeting for a new car, a holiday in USA for a family wedding and a basic kitchen.

Feels like my random crap spending is a drop in the ocean of what we need to save and that's kind of how I justify it plus as a PP said, these spends make day to day nicer.

BUT it needs to stop as its excessive and not really needed. Its just changing my mindset.

Loads and loads. I'm always treating myself and I don't feel guilty about it either

No need to feel guilty if you can afford it polly.

@ssd that was actually a bit glib of me. I can afford it but the money would probably be better off invested! I've had a horribly tough year so spent more than I usually would. So maybe, on reflection, I need to cut back a bit!

We each get £100 to spend or save as we wish, no questions asked. Sometimes we use it to buy lunch out during the week, or take each other for a pub drink, or buy each other presents. Sometimes I save mine for a few months and buy clothes from some pricier brands I like.

Usually £0. But returning to work after mat leave and needed all new clothes. So about £150 on work wear, shoes & boots suitable for weather, replacing make up, scarf and gloves for when on the commute.

you could try other things like maybe have every other month be a frugal month, where you don’t buy any extras

I love this idea!

Quite a lot. Too much given my part time income and that the fact we are saving to buy a bigger bourse.

£60 nails
£20 waxing
£40 eyelash extensions, thinking about quitting these as it's so time consuming.

£100 on clothes

£150 on socialising

£20 random

£35 a month gym. I do classes five times a week. Worth every penny.

In my defence, I spend very little on hair and make up! £30 on cut and blow dry every three months and make up is all no 7 about £40 every three months.

I never buy lunch at work and eBay lots of stuff I no longer use.

Still...it's a lot compared to most.

So about £450 a month all in. Still never have anything to wear 🙄

Well I spend more than you but we have a good income and I'm also saving a lot. I probably buy less though because I buy good quality stuff, e.g. the last jumper I bought was £90 (half price) in the sale but is pure wool and will last years.

I think keeping a track of spending is a good way to look at the patterns in your spending so you can identify what you want to spend on. Is it more important to get your hair cut or buy a new tshirt? Would you rather go on holiday or have a new kitchen? There are no right or wrong decisions, just different priorities once you have paid for the essentials. But your DH needs to do the same. Does he have nights out with friends? Does he have a hobby?

I replaced my 20 yr old dressing gown which have been darned several times over the years (but still perfectly servicable) for a Scion hedgehog print one today. I walked away from it at the weekend but then thought, sod it, it's a bargain. (TKmaxx). I prised myself away from the tempting Scion & Donna Wilson bath towels though.

My house is full of things I don't need & fully appreciate.
So I spend very little (nowadays), I'm trying to reduce my possessions.
Sorry, but your pleasures would count as pointless clutter to me, fwiw.

I try to only buy stuff that's replacing something worn out or that I have thought long & hard (weeks) about getting.

99% of my clothes come from charity shops, because I love a bargain. I've bought two coats this week - and M&S current season faux fur for £9.99 and a MaxMara black wool ankle length one for £2.50. No guilt whatsoever, particularly as when I'm done with them I'll likely clean them and pop them on eBay and very probably get more than I paid for back. But I intend to use both for a couple of winters at least. I buy basics (tights, underwear etc) from Primark or similar.

I don't go to the hairdresser so that's an expense I don't have. A fiver a month for hairdye and a tenner or so for moisturiser, cleanser and my favourite peel from The Ordinary. No magazines because we have a shared household Readly account, ditto Spotify. I'll buy lunch out now and again but that's a couple of quid for a slice of pizza from the local Italian or a sandwich. Makeup probably costs about a fiver a month - I use The Ordinary foundation and I rebuy the same MAC lipstick when it runs out, about twice a year. Mascara is £3 from Wilkinson's and it's the best I've ever used. Kindle books (and books generally) are my treat - I read about 4 books a week so it adds up, but a lot of those are free review copies.

I don't tend to spend lots on a monthly basis but I do have a splurge a couple of times a year which makes up for it. This year I've bought a Mulberry bag (albeit second hand) and a new guitar. But I saved for both.

Are you good with rules for yourself?

You could have a rule that you can buy anything you like, as long as you leave it 48 hours. So when you’re in Tesco & like the look of the woolly jumper, leave it for 2 days and if you still really want it you can go back and get it.

Transfer over the money you’re going to spend on whatever that item is to a savings account. You can still take it back if, after 48 hours, you want it more than seeing your bank balance grow...

I buy things differently.
But so do love nice things! Like REALLY nice things. Things that you can’t really justify from your monthly salary. I could never afford to say, get paid on Friday and on Saturday to just go into town and buy a new outfit to go out that evening. However, I can easily justify a £200 jumper, day, if it’s perfect and if it comes out of the ‘Me Fund’, and I need it.

Hard to explain. But, say, my budget this month allows for Sainsbury’s knickers, I can afford that. But not a pair that’s £20. So I save, and only when I have the money, I’ll go and buy the £20 knickers.

£50 a month for the gym is a lot out of my monthly budget, can’t justify that. But paying a one off £250 for the whole year, yes, I can afford to do that.
I do save more than I spend though.

I have been in a position when there wasn’t enough to put food on the table or pay the bills and would have zero to spend on myself. Things are better now and I am loving the buzz of buying myself things - but still feel utterly guilty at “wasting” money.
This month I have bought two work dresses and a jacket in charity shops, £15 in total, some Boots No7 makeup (3 for 2), AND a pair or new shoes. Utter decadence. I have also been to see a show at the theatre, although the tickets were bought months ago. So, about £100 this month and I feel very spoiled.

I spend way too much. Am trying to cut down on lunches/coffees out because I end up spending ££ in places like costa and getting mediocre food and service!
Since last payday I have bought some boots in the sale and 4 jumpers and some ugg type boots from tkmaxx because my feet were freezing and I had no slippers. I did buy a bag but sent it back as I didn't like it once I saw it in real life. Oh and I bought a nail varnish yesterday. I don't spend much on make up as I have loads already. I don't buy expensive candles, and I got through phases with books. Most of my shopping is for Christmas now. But I do spend an absolute fortune on food, so could save a fair bit here!

I'm a charity shopper too. We could afford new but I enjoy bargain hunting and saving money. I don't like clutter or 'things.' I mostly buy clothes for me and the DC, probably spend about £20 a month on average.
I wear make up but buy high street brands, so around say £5 per item, and I replace once it's gone. I dye my own hair and rarely get it cut.
I occasionally buy a cheap scented candle for the living room. That's about it.

Probably about £80 a month. Sometimes more, if I need new boots or work clothes. When I was SAHM, and money was tighter, DH would question what I fritter money on. Now I'm working part time, he never says anything.

Too much. Currently about 150 a month but am working on reducing that by setting myself a strict budget and i have opened a monzo account which am transferring a set amount to at the beginning of the month. Mostly seems to go on hobby stuff (craft), clothes and occasional takeaway, toiletries etc. Am trying to get a balance as am having a really hard time health wise and mostly stuck in the house so crafting is a good distraction but also need to be balanced by being more careful with money and not wanting to accumulate more crap.

I think keeping a track of spending is a good way to look at the patterns in your spending so you can identify what you want to spend on. Is it more important to get your hair cut or buy a new tshirt? Would you rather go on holiday or have a new kitchen? There are no right or wrong decisions, just different priorities once you have paid for the essentials. But your DH needs to do the same. Does he have nights out with friends? Does he have a hobby?

This ^

Why don't you do what Francienolan does, and both give yourselves a set amount (£100 sounds as if it would be do-able, if you are now 'frittering' £150 pm) that you can spend on whatever you want but "once it's gone, it's gone" as they say. Or, if you are both agreed you want to save more - make it £80 or £75 or £50 - obviously this will depend on what your income and outgoings are and how strong your desire is to increase your savings. Whatever amount you choose, it is the same for each of you, and neither one has a say, or questions what you spend your own "pocket money" on, but, as a couple, you will be saving all the 'extra' you are no longer frittering.
You can put a standing order into a different account, or you could draw it out in cash each payday, but you have to be strict that whatever amount you agree on, is your spend for the month.

I don'tlike stuff and clutter either. I spend very little on myself, it doesn't rock my boat.
I like a minimalist streamlined approach not shelves of products.

Probably £15 a month, and that include clothes ( almost always second hand)

I don’t spend a huge amount on myself (a £20 candle this month), but I do fritter too much away buying the DC things they don’t need (today I bought two onesies, 6 pairs of tights and some ear muffs for my DD’s).
I find it hard to just stop spending too, so watching with interest.