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AIBU?

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Original poster

Spending £32.99 on my boys new trainers?

103 replies

LiveLoveLaugh87 · 15/03/2018 10:00

So was chatting with my MIL last night, sent her a pic of some trainers I ordered for my little boys. Stupidly the price was on there 32.99 (2 pairs at that price, and a pair for £21 for my youngest) her response was ‘bloody hell love they’re expensive, that’s a bit much to be spending on trainers isn’t it? I’m sure you could’ve found something much cheaper!’

I felt pretty insulted by this and laid in bed last night justifying it to myself, the boys desperately need new trainers as there’s are bordering to small now, and they are the only other shoes they have other than their school shoes, they should hopefully see them through the summer at least. I work hard and earn my own money, we don’t live a luxury lifestyle and aren’t in a position to splash the cash on unnecessary items as she well knows, I see spending a little more as an investment in what will hopefully be a decent pair of trainers that I’m not going to be replacing a month down the line. They were only from Sports Direct, and these days I’d say £30 for a pair of trainers is pretty cheap.

I really wish she would think before opening her opinionated mouth sometimes!! Have I spent too much? Is it excessive? What would other people spend on trainers/shoes? TIA

OP posts:
whampiece · 15/03/2018 10:03

Nobody cares. Literally nobody.

We all spend different amounts on things. One person will spend a fiver in primark, another will spend £50 in JD.

mumgointhroughtorture · 15/03/2018 10:03

She better not look at the price of JDs now ! Trainers and footwear in general are getting expensive . Branded trainers prices are going through the roof ! It's your money , you are happy to buy them. It's your business .

Ohforfoxsakereturns · 15/03/2018 10:05

I really wouldn’t worry about it. It’s fine.

Trainers take an absolute battering and are worn constantly. They will get their wear out of a decent pair. If you buy very cheap ones, youcould we’ll be buying another pair in a month.

Camomila · 15/03/2018 10:05

I would spend less so I could buy a few pairs as DS is still at the jumping in puddles stage but I wouldn't think twice about someone spending £30 odd on trainers, it seems a reasonable/average price.

ThePinkOcelot · 15/03/2018 10:05

I wouldn’t give it another thought tbh.

PrettyLittIeThing · 15/03/2018 10:06

I spend more than that on my kids trainers. Non issue.

araiwa · 15/03/2018 10:06

Remember this when its her birthday/ christmas and buy the cheapest thing you can

Gruach · 15/03/2018 10:10

Whatever did she want you to do with the money she thinks you should have saved?Confused

She thinks you’re ‘getting above yourself’.

She’s intimidated by your independence.

She wouldn’t have spent the equivalent in her son at that age so feels shown up.

Whatever. It’s not her business. And nobody cares.

Lweji · 15/03/2018 10:10

It depends on your budget, but I don't think that's particularly expensive.

Perhaps she lost track of how much children's shoes cost.

I'd probably reply along the lines of it being an average price and of cheap shoes not necessarily being the best for children's feet.

Handsfull13 · 15/03/2018 10:10

I'm guessing you don't have teenagers yet. She'll have a shock when you do. My SS15 tried to argue he could have the £80 trainers he liked because what he really wanted were the £150 ones and he knew we wouldn't agree to them.
Hopefully you'll forget she ever said anything in a few days time.

Lweji · 15/03/2018 10:11

Also, stop discussing your purchases with her.

FlowerPotMum · 15/03/2018 10:12

Don't even worry about what anyone else thinks or spends. As long as you can afford them and they fit then all is well.
I spend around the same, maybe more, maybe less.
My mil is lovely really lovely but is so out of touch with modern prices and labels. She'd have a shock at JD prices!

impressedneighbour · 15/03/2018 10:13

Are there good quality trainers for less than £30 these days?

I really doubt it.

Imsosceptical · 15/03/2018 10:15

Its not particularly expensive these days! its your money, your child, your decision. Let it go over your head, so not worth worrying about!!

Onlyoldontheoutside · 15/03/2018 10:15

Depends on how old your children are.If they're very small then yes it's a lot also not the best for growing feet.If teens then about right if they are not having a growth spurt.

LoopyLoo92 · 15/03/2018 10:16

My son has cheap trainers for school pe... they were new in September. He had pe 1x 1hour a week until feb half term....brought them home and the soles are all peeling.

He has more expensive trainers at home (think they were around £30 so not even top of the price range at all) and they lasted about a year and were only replaced as he had a growth spurt and shot up 2 sizes.

The difference in quality is plain to see. and £30 for trainers isn't too bad if they last.

randomsabreuse · 15/03/2018 10:18

Sounds cheap to me! My 2 year old has 4 pairs of shoes in her size. Wellies, party shoes, (both cheap) everyday shoes (not cheap) and snow boots because we had loads of snow and she was cross about cold feet. I am looking forward to her growing to the point where she can get trainers worthy of the name and that cost £30+ because I expect she will live in them!

Purpledahlia88 · 15/03/2018 10:18

I guess when she had young kids trainers were cheaper?

HappydaysArehere · 15/03/2018 10:21

Sounds as if she is in a time warp.

IWouldLikeToKnow · 15/03/2018 10:22

Hmm, my 3 yr old has trainers for that price. And his shoes tend to be €50+. And he always has 2-3 pairs to wear at any given time. Kids shoes are expensive unfortunately

BluebellCockleshell123 · 15/03/2018 10:22

Sounds reasonable to me. I spent £20 yesterday on a pair from the Nike discount store for my 6 year old. I thought that was a bargain.

Original poster
LiveLoveLaugh87 · 15/03/2018 10:24

Thank you! I did look on JD and as lush as their trainers are, I couldn’t justify spending quite that much as they’re not within my budget so feel I went for the middle ground ones. I just don’t like her making me feel like I’ve got to justify myself but as one of you has just said I will avoid discussing my purchases with her in future and that will solve that. I did point out that decent branded trainers aren’t cheap these days so perhaps that is all it is she’s not aware of prices for these things these days. She did say that she wouldn’t of spent that on her kids back in the day as it’s unnecessary. Obviously is just the difference in generation, I’m happy with the ones I got them I’m not kicking myself for over spending today as I probably would have if I’d of got the JD ones😂

OP posts:
gamerchick · 15/03/2018 10:29

Meh I spend more than that on any kind of shoe. 80 quid on my own trainers alone but I only need to buy 2 pairs a year. That’s cheap what you’ve spent.

Just ignore, life isn’t cheap these days.

RideOn · 15/03/2018 10:36

They are expensive, but it is also your choice and if you have the budget for it, why not.

DullAndOld · 15/03/2018 10:37

tbh you are lucky to get a pair of trainers that your boy will wear for such a low price...
The prices for 'acceptable' teenage trainers start at about £70 (in the sale) and go up to about £140.
Tell your MIL that and watch her suck a wasp....:D