At what age/income/savings do you start to feel less guilty spending money?

[huggybear]

Just that really.

Recently we invested in a new washing machine and I just feel so guilty about it, we can afford it so I'm not sure why I feel like this. I think it stems from being a student and living very frugally after graduation.

Can anyone relate? Does it get easier? I never see someone else buying something and think anything other than 'good for them!' so why do I feel this about us?

Is there an age that I will feel less of an imposter?!

I think it is a personality thing rather than an age or income thing. I grew up in a comfortable (though not rich) household in which we never had to worry about money for day to day expenses too much. But I am very frugal and I am wracked with guilt when I spend money - exacerbated by a few years of being on a very low income after I left university.

Even though I I have been earning well for the better part of a decade, I still shudder at the thought of spending money on myself. DH once said that he knew I was feeling flush when I ordered juice instead of tap water in a restaurant. I still feel guilty about it....

I'm totally with you on this. My parents were always careful with money, it never showed but they had to budget very carefully. Then I was careful as a student and graduate and have never lost this mentality. In particular I hate wastage, whether food scraps or putting up with something a bit broken.

Our dishwasher recently broke and we found a 'new' one on gumtree rather than buying new. Despite being very fortunate to have a comfortable 6 figure family income and very decent savings.

I'm trying to change the mentality as we are finding it hard to keep on top of life admin, house maintenance and enjoying time with our daughter, and one easy solution to this is to use money to free up time by getting professionals in rather than DIY, ordering new goods delivered and fitted rather than hiring a van to collect etc.

But it's hard! For me the best way I've found to change my mindset is to remind myself that time with our daughter is more important than money!

Just laughing so much at Labour and Wait. Those items are meant to be austerity items, but they're so expensive. Customers are really being taken for a ride.

Er what do you mean sugarplum fairy? Why is it a strange ratio? We live in the south east so life is quite expensive. Salary is in the early 6 figures not £250k or anything and has only been so for the last couple of years. No post grads here - neither of us went to uni we just worked hard over time. Plus we have done loads of work on our house in the last 5 years so have been paying that off rather than saving.

Sorry you deem it to be unacceptable . I think we are in a pretty good situation!

At the risk of derailing, how can "a household income into 6 figures and about £10k savings." be acceptable?

Unless it's an unusual situation like 2 adults who both got post-post-grad jobs last year or have a 10 year mortgage, this seems like a strange ratio.

I was thinking exactly the same!

I think it’s a state of mind not an income bracket unfortunately!

We have a six-figure household income and DH still got his soldering iron out to fix the washing machine when it broke (a couple of years ago, still has plenty of life in it). I recently sold my 15yr old car (moving overseas, would have kept it until it died otherwise). And getting a taxi seems like an unimaginable extravagance when I can walk or take the bus. I darn and mend clothes wherever possible.

When I do buy, I buy quality. But then I use it until it literally falls apart. I feel terrible throwing stuff out that isn’t completely beyond use.

Minimum wage! When I worked two jobs at minimum wage, I buuurned my wages without a care in the world. Properly enjoyed my money. Lived in pretty rough shared digs, but with good friends. It felt lighter when I couldn’t have/do something because I didn’t have the money - now I choose not to have/do something (which bums me out) or yeah, I feel guilty about spending.

Early 30s, reasonable salary, about £5k in savings and I’ve never felt more anxious about money in my life. I also can’t see a time when I’ll feel better about it.

25, more than reasonable savings (in my opinion- around £40k and €15k-used to work abroad), own home so no rent/mortgage. I still feel guilty if I spend a lot, but I am trying to think I deserve a treat. When it comes to a washing machine I believe this is a necessity so no guilt

I dont feel guilty spending as long as my bills are paid.

I never feel guilty, about anything really and certainly not about spending money.

I'm not a spendthrift though. I buy things to last and don't replace anything that isn't broken generally. My last car I had for 20yrs, we only have one tv, the ikea furniture in my living room came from eBay and I had for 15 yrs until I sold it again recently. I buy 2nd hand when ever possible for environmental reasons.

Until last year when I had a bit of money come to me and I replaced all the living room, conservatory and dining room furniture, had new flooring laid and replaced kitchen worktops. I still looked for bargains and recycled stuff but enjoyed spending the money.

My teens are great. They find something they like then set about finding it free or cheap elsewhere, they are already great bargain hunters.

Guilt is a completely wasted emotion and is utterly pointless.

I definitely think it’s a personality thing. I’m not a spendthrift but neither would I agonise over spending £3. That’s definitely not normal.