What is your monthly budget for non essential stuff?

[SarahJessicaParker3]

I'm trying to manage my money a bit better. I've been a bit spendy lately and savings have depleted.

What is a reasonable budget for things like coffee out, outings with dcs (one preschool age, one primary), clothing etc? I know it will vary, but interested to hear what others budget for this sort of thing

Personal fun/activity money pots - £200 for me, £200 for DH, £100 for baby.

Thanks pigeon. That is helpful

We don't have a set amount but things that really help cut spending is stuff like taking packed lunches, on days out, flasks of coffee to the park and I use vinted for clothes. I sell stuff and then use what I make to buy things with so I don't really spend anything on clothes anymore.

Thanks @Starynight282. Those are good tips.

I used to sell a lot on Vinted, but actually don't think I've ever bought from there

Ita brilliant for buying, I've had some absolute bargains. I'd never buy from anywhere else now. I've just bought a full outfit for my friend's wedding for £45 (dress, lk bennett heels, fascinator) would have cost £200+ brand new and its immaculate. I wish I'd know about it when DS was little, would have saved me a fortune. Lots of stuff is new with tags too.

Go through your bank statement and highlight all the additional spending, it really adds up and once you change your mind set it becomes easy to cut back.

Depends on how much money you have spare and what your priorities are surely?

If you don't have a lot of spare money, are in debt, or are saving for a house deposit, your budget would be a lot different to if you are mortgage free with good savings and pension provision. Also depending on income.

What you have to recognise is that these sorts of things are lowest priority, so it's what you have left after you've covered essentials including saving for annual and irregular expenses so you don't put yourself in a position where you have lots of coffees and bought lunches, but wouldn't be able to replace the washing machine without borrowing if you needed to.

I'm budgeting £300 for personal spends for myself per month from January.

This includes my nails being done x2 a month. Eyelash infills and eyebrow tint once a month= £85.00.

The rest goes on clothes and eating out and going for drinks/socialising.

This is a new budget for me.

My gym membership and phone bill aren't included this.

My daughters extra curricular activities come out of the joint account.

@BarbaraofSeville

Depends on how much money you have spare and what your priorities are surely?

If you don't have a lot of spare money, are in debt, or are saving for a house deposit, your budget would be a lot different to if you are mortgage free with good savings and pension provision. Also depending on income.

What you have to recognise is that these sorts of things are lowest priority, so it's what you have left after you've covered essentials including saving for annual and irregular expenses so you don't put yourself in a position where you have lots of coffees and bought lunches, but wouldn't be able to replace the washing machine without borrowing if you needed to.

Yes, this is after mortgage, phone, petrol, utilities, groceries, nursery fees etc are all paid for.

Currently I have some spare, but I tend to spend it all... so I want to replace some of my savings that I ate into last year when I was not working for a bit during lockdown and also some I "borrowed" from my savings for Christmas presents and treats, nights out etc.

No debt other than mortgage.