I have £100 to spend, why can't I just spend it?

[Paq]

Over a year ago my employer gave everyone £100 in e-vouchers as a thank you. I still haven't spent mine. I have decision paralysis!

They can be spent in a huge variety of retailers - Amazon, John Lewis, M&S, major high street shops. Plus restaurant chains, hotels, cinemas etc.

I'd like to spend them on something I wouldn't normally treat myself to but I'm not finding myself drawn to jewellery for example. I'm also slightly fatter than I ideally would like to be so I'm not really buying clothes RN. I live rurally so the chances of getting to an actual shop are remote, making it harder to decide.

WWYD?

I would buy myself a nice perfume and then spend anything left over on some little housey bits, maybe a candle or something!

Can you spend it on any subscription things eg going ad free on a podcast you like or similar?

Or, if you are up to date with apple tech then I love my Belkin 3in1 magsafe charger for phone, air pods and watch. There's something luxurious about just setting them down to charge and not fiddling about with cables.

If you're not up to date with tech then towards a smart watch?

I got £100 amazon voucher in September and just kept it on my amazon account to use throughout the year, mostly used for kindle books, weighted blanket and wee bits throughout the year.

The cinema idea is genius I wish I had thought of that! I got a £50 token one of those high street ones and it took me about 18mths to spend it! So indecisive! Eventually went for winter boots for work...boring but have worn them almost daily.

This - have you checked when they expire?

I am lucky enough to get a voucher every year from my class usually. I always want to buy something memorable/ what I wouldn’t usually. Over the years I’ve bought: a sewing machine, a beautiful jewellery box, big garden planter, high end cosmetics, artwork, a lamp!

I think I’d go for something like the Neom Wellness Pod with some lovely essential oils. It’s pricier than many diffusers out there but gets great reviews and looks lovely. I imagine it on my hall table welcoming everyone in with a beautiful spa-like scent! 😊

I had a voucher like this, put it towards some Kin boots from John lewis- theyre doc lite in style, fit nice, go with loads and will last for years

I'd definitely buy hotel chocolat hot chocolate velvetiser... I have to wait until Christmas from the OH for mine

Maybe you just don't particularly want anything material right now? When I get this stuff from work I always spend it on treats - meals out or cinema, or when it's a lesser amount, costa. Then I can go out guilt free.

I hate vouchers because I find it hard to spend them too.

You could splurge on stuff for foodbank, I suppose.

I am eyeing up a security cap for my oil tank. It's £60-£70 and we never felt we needed a locking/swivel cap before, but I'm wondering if now's the time... except it's £60 we never needed to spend before.

That's what I'd blow shopping vouchers on.

Just spend it on groceries at Waitrose, M&S or another supermarket if can be used there and keep £100 back in your personal savings account until you do want something.

It doesn't have to go on a particular 'thing' but surely sooner or later you'll want something and be wavering about whether it can be justified so if you still have your £100, you've got the money so you can buy it.

Once you've converted away from vouchers that might expire, there's no rush and surely you'll spend £100 on yourself sooner or later. Winter coat or boots?

Right now l would get a nice new duvet to see me through the cold winter months!