What's the most extravagant indulgence you buy for your DCs?

[peaceanddove]

Inspired by another thread over on AIBU, but just wondered what crazily indulgent treats have you bought your children?

Ever since she started wearing make up I've always bought Chanel foundation for DD because I was determined she wasn't going to have that dreadful orangey-chalk face beloved of so many teenage girls.

Boarding school for 6th form - their choice not mine - I miss them.

Cycling. We all cycle, but as he's now ridiculously tall he's had changes of bikes and bike shoes (plus clothing) regularly. But he cranks out the miles, never gives up, and doesn't moan much about going out on the bikes

When they were younger it was Lego. We had mountains of it.

Sold it all a couple of years ago and then it didn't feel like too much of an indulgence as we got good prices for some of it.

@tigertubbie

My 3 year old has a lush bath bomb almost every bath time. Sometimes I substitute for cheaper ones and mix them in the lush box.

I'm so ashamed writing that. It's literally money down the drain.

Every bath 😵😵😵 I can only dream of that level of indulgence 😂.

For DS (11) it’s his many expensive hobbies; BMXing, MTBing, snowboarding, skateboarding and paddleboarding. Each needs an expensive ‘vehicle’ and special clothes, shoes/ boots. Oh and Skye/ surf branded clothing and shoes. And Apple products... This is why I can’t afford to have a Lush bath bomb in every bath!

Uni
Our family holidays (about 3-3.5k per person)

Clothes for DD, she’s 11.

My own DM wasn’t in the slightest bit interested in ‘fashion’ when I was a child and I never owned anything ‘trendy’, ever. I go completely overboard with DD.

Lots of berrys and precut fruit as snacks/for breakfast - I feel positively frugal compared to you guys

I came on to say that I buy my son a magazine at least once a month - a character one with a "free" toy. The magazine is £4. My parents were very strict about such magazines being a waste of money so wouldn't buy them for me as a child, so I feel quite naughty doing so.

I have started to buy some Joules and Frugi clothes for my children now they're a bit older, and I get a lot of their other stuff from Next. When they were tiny and going through clothes quickly, I bought supermarket or Primark stuff mostly!

Good quality craft supplies)/equipment, I can't bear to buy them cheap wool etc as it is so nice for them to love the end result. They work hard on their projects so it is worth it imo.

I don't say no to books in charity shops. I can't afford bigger treats but if he asks for a book it's 50p or £1 for five and I can usually afford that. DS7 is really into science and non fiction books.

My kids get pocket money so I don't wince at buying tat . They both like a magazine with gift included. DD buys books. DS buys Superthings which I think are the biggest waste of money going, but actually he does spend a lot of time playing with them / lining them up in groups. Aside from that they are pretty cheap to run, especially for the past year.

Music lessons (3 instruments). Dance lessons (two versions thereof). Sports sessions. Of course I'm failing as a mother as I have not provided her with riding lessons. Lucy and Suzy go riding on Saturday. Not at 25 quid a pop you won't. Unless you want to give up all your other lessons? That ended that fairly swiftly.

@LittleOverwhelmed

Travel. DS has been to some amazing amazing places and rarely flies economy (generally only short hall). Had been known to ask “are we flying First Class or Business Class” (before the age of 11 )

Did you actually say that out loud? On here?

Or are your eardrums still suffering from jet lag from your last trip to another planet?

@NeedToGetOuttaHere

Uni Our family holidays (about 3-3.5k per person)

Where are you going to? Outer Mongolia, first class, one way?

No to a variety of places, South Africa, South America, Caribbean many times, lots of twin centre holidays and 11 cruises and lots more places. Going on holiday with our DC is our thing.

My teens got a taste for Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser hot chocolate, but I've since substuted that with a cheaper copycat.

Bloody hell I know MN is pretty middle class but there’s some money on this thread. honestly I’m not jealous at all

I would love to have the money to travel loads and to give my DDs all the hobbies and experiences possible as they grow up. At the moment still too young but that is my hope for the future.

For now, my main indulgence is probably books (although they’re second hand, we have way too many) and clothes (a lot also second hand but a few nice brands and also definitely more than we need).

Dance, singing and musical theatre classes. They're not eyes and teeth showbizz types but enjoy doing it with their friends and it's helping with their A levels etc. They have part time jobs so pay for a lot of their own stuff but I make sure they have really good coats, shoes, computer kit etc.

@Snuzzle Does that mean if the school year starts and another kid has the same coat as your DC’s new one, you’ll buy another new one?

@Rainallnight quite possibly yes 🙈 hasn’t happened yet but I usually buy her one that’s an unusual colour or from a shop we don’t have in town. Everyone else seems to go for black or pink and similar styles so haven’t had to think about it before.

Hearing aids, the NHS ones just aren’t as good.

Lego, why is it so expensive?!

A home to live in rent free.

Books, books and more books - the sheer quantity rather than the cost per tome is what makes it an extravagance. Pre-COVID, frequent trips to the theatre as well. For me, money spent on books or the performing arts never feels wasted (and I acknowledge I’m lucky to be able to afford to feel that way). DH is very techy so also insists on their devices, headphones etc being decent ones.