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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask who else just isn't spending AT ALL!?

341 replies

junebug21 · 14/05/2020 18:35

Just that really... is anyone else noticing their bank account numbers rising!!? Due to being home on full pay and not spending on childcare, petrol, kids clubs, coffees etc etc all my pay is stacking up and I'm mind blown by how much I normally would be spending!! We are very lucky to not have many bills (no mortgage) we literally only pay insurances (life, house etc), electricity, Netflix and phones! I feel like I have been wasting A LOT of money beforehand! (I am aware that there are many not in this position etc and we are v lucky) but I also feel like I'm missing something and I owe someone/something a lot of money!!?? Anyone else??

OP posts:
SmithfamilyRobinson · 15/05/2020 09:32

I am in support of the different experiences expressed here.
Myself and DH are in a fortunate position both in fulltime employment: DH works in retail and his employer has topped up the 20% he doesn't get via furlough. My employer is exemplary (I am main earner x2). We have teenage boys so no homeschooling. We have saved loads and waiting for refunds (although if TFL could hurry up; I am still paying a season ticket loan to the tune of £220 per month via work and TFL haven't refunded me yet)
How different this would have looked 10, 15 years for us... I am very concerned for my BF who is a SE childminder whose experience reflects those mentioned already.
BTW I had already reflected on my circumstances and donated to our local hospital directly as staff were struggling. Incidentally I discovered that hospitals have their own Amazon wishlist- I only found out via MN. I have learnt a lot from MN over the years and one for sure is to be very discreet about personal circumstances and any sight of 'luck'. Many of the issues which have surfaced from this crisis is the extreme societal injustices which appear to have become even more cryllstalised now. These should be tackled through democratic processes ie. Vote with your heart/feet.
PS to the Nespresso addict up thread, Sealpod do recyclable pods (they are metal pods with aluminium replaceable lids so you fill with favourite coffee).
PPS I am very indebted to the preppers thread which is excellent for thinking about emergencies).
All this courtesy of MN!

ssd · 15/05/2020 09:38

I'm saving £16 a week train fares and maybe £5 a week on lunch bits.
But food shopping has gone up so that probably balances out.
What I have noticed is, since being furloughed, I have time and inclination now to use up everything in the cupboards.
That's probably saving us a bit.

But other than food and petrol and the occasional 2nd hand amazon book we aren't spending a thing. I don't know what the future holds and don't want to spend.

TheHarryFormerlyKnownAsPrince · 15/05/2020 09:40

I’ve been buying a lot of home ed resources, books and garden toys. But I do have more money than usual!

Ardnassa · 15/05/2020 09:46

Always been a saver but lucky enough to be saving still more now.

Though very conscious of the paradox of thrift and how lucky I am. So doing best to give some back and support charities, local shops, my cleaner and so on.

While I am WAH and on 100% (and I have good levels of savings), I will continue to do so.

Elphame · 15/05/2020 10:39

@Chicchicchicchiclana

I've had to cancel all my charity dds too. I was very reluctant to do so but with no money coming in until at least Oct/Nov it was an outgoing that had to go.

Livedandlearned · 15/05/2020 11:02

Agree with the poster who said that many who are saving money will be those working on the frontline. For all the times I've seen colleagues anxious about working directly with queried covid or confirmed covid patients, I feel we are allowed to take some positives from the situation.

mrpumblechook · 15/05/2020 11:55

For all the times I've seen colleagues anxious about working directly with queried covid or confirmed covid patients, I feel we are allowed to take some positives from the situation.

Exactly, most people on this thread are just trying to see the positives to lockdownand I'm a bit Hmm that someone is complaining that it is insensitive considering all the posts on COVID lately that are incredibly insensitive towards those that have lost loved ones and/or are at high risk.

flirtygirl · 15/05/2020 13:47

This is not a bragging thread. The people who have lost out are projecting their feelings onto the thread. Fine but don't click on it and read it. People are posting their experiences and should be able to.

I am still on £66 per week carers allowance. I've been on the losing end for over a decade. So what? that should not mean that others cannot talk about their gains and wins.

I'm happy for them.

Other people saving does not negate people who have had misfortune. It's good that these ones have finally learnt to save when most had that capability anyway but frittered money away.

Also I have had a parent die of covid 19 but these threads make me happier as it proves that it is not all doom and gloom out there. Just like the achievements in lockdown thread. I have been ill, tired and grieving but I can still read about others achievements.

AgeLikeWine · 15/05/2020 13:59

Almost every penny I spend that isn’t a household bill goes on my credit card, which rewards me with points. My April bill just landed. £397. I haven’t spent so little in a month since I was a teenager.

Enchantmentz · 15/05/2020 14:03

I had a no spend April but this month is dc birthday so bought some stuff for her and I have been doing a garden project requiring spending. But I have saved in other ways by not living the normal routine as before so don't see a negative.

I have automatic savings which are still going up.Grin

zingally · 15/05/2020 14:08

Currently not spending, because no choice!

Sole income has been more than halved. The money we do have is going exclusively on food and bills. Since lockdown started, the only "extra" thing we've bought is 1 jigsaw and 1 book!

dibble15 · 15/05/2020 14:08

@flirtygirl that's a really good way of putting it, thank you. Sorry for your loss, I had a relative die of Covid & I felt so scared & bleak in April, not helped by the long wait for the funeral. I like trying to find the positives as it makes me feel lighter.

Coffeeandbeans · 15/05/2020 14:17

The downturn in the markets will hit pensions. Indirectly most people will be affected by this if they have a private/company pension. Also savings rates are so low so again this will hit people. It isn’t all about saving on the household budget.

Fefifoefum · 15/05/2020 14:28

We’re worse off.

Myself and my husband are both frontline (nurse/homelessness outreach).
We’re both working full time. Still commuting 24 mile round trip, so petrol is still a huge cost, as is childcare, we’ve obviously been unable to access family/friend support to work around shifts, so my DD has been in nursery more than ever, our bill was almost double this month.
It’s crippling but we don’t have a choice. We’re managing, just, saving on luxuries we’d normally have (meals out/coffees etc).
I’m glad people will have some extra money. I’m only slightly irritated I’m worse off despite being in contact with positive patients every single shift.

cyclingmad · 15/05/2020 15:08

I'm only saving cos I have a job but that might be in the case in 6 months time and I'm very worried

cyclingmad · 15/05/2020 15:08

Might not be there*

adag · 15/05/2020 15:39

@coffeeandbeans - exactly... monthly outgoings are a bit less for us (nursery fees, dh commute, coffee lunch etc) but we have just had pension statements through and that looks pretty grim. Plus we've just moved to a project house that will be worth a lot less than we paid for it and we still need to have extensive work done...

BorsetshireBlueBalls · 15/05/2020 16:16

I think this is a good thread for sharing thoughts about how this experience has changed habits around spending. We're spending more on groceries, partly just eating more, partly because of shopping in more expensive places (Co-Op!) than previously (Aldi) but I've knocked that on the head now - I go in the evening, and there aren't any queues. I gave up drinking a year ago, husband has cut right down for weight control, or I'm sure that bill would have soared! We've added NowTV to the Netflix sub but entertainment costs are down because nothing open. We're all reading more, I'm writing more, these things don't cost money. No holiday or leisure travel costs. No salon haircuts and colour. No clothes shopping (not that we did much before, beyond replace what really needed replacing). Still buying birthday presents, but because we can't get together, the costs of big celebratory meals don't come up. No A levels, so no costs for extra tuition and crammer. Gym subscriptions suspended, everyone exercising at home or running/walking/cycling more. Husband WFH and that will continue indefinitely now, so saving on commute, but offset by better equipment for home office (decent chair, large monitor, will be getting a better desk and lighting). I can't get hold of new plants yet so I'm learning how to propagate from ones I have.

So yes, we are saving, and I am saving a lot; but I'm doing so in the expectation that my income is likely to fall over the next year, and my son is likely to take longer to find financial independence given the state of the economy, so I need to build up a buffer.

I think we will be changing some habits permanently and for the better. I'll give up my gym membership, because I've realised I can do as much for myself with home workouts. I'll go back to the hairdresser, but probably a third as many times a year, and I'll continue cutting my husband and son's hair. I'll double my hours volunteering. I'll be using my bike for more journeys. I'll be even less likely to buy new clothes or be extravagant with food. I'll continue to read, write and study more, and where possible I'll be doing these things for free, online.

But we will eventually be paying someone to do our bathroom, and fix the leak in the chimney breast, and do some electrical work, and I hope we'll be increasing our travel to visit family and just get out of the city and eventually, maybe, get on a ferry or the Eurotunnel and visit France again.

ADayAlwaysHasToEnd · 15/05/2020 20:26

I've now donated to some local hospices. So I'm hoping my good fortune does some good.
It was mentioned up thread that people who are doing well could help people less well. However everyone i encounter that aren't doing so well that aren't family would probably be offended if offered them money.

flirtygirl · 15/05/2020 21:49

Thank you dibble15
Sorry for your loss too.

dibble15 · 15/05/2020 21:52

😊

Soen · 15/05/2020 22:17

I'm spending a fortune on food, seriously I dont know where my kids put it all. Saving on childcare and fuel though. I've been putting the extra money into my mortgage. Fixed term us up in 2 and a half years and I would love a good deal when I switch so I'm working towards that.

Midsommar · 15/05/2020 22:24

Not me I'm afraid. Too much free time plus a lot more money = an addiction to online shopping

Whoopsmahoot · 15/05/2020 22:40

What we’re saving on petrol is going on food and wine. 🥴

Giffgaff99 · 15/05/2020 23:10

Only spending on food and bills. One large shop a week. Saving a small fortune, both of us still working at home doing same number of hours. Gym memberships on freeze, no petrol, no going out, no work lunches, no car parking fees for work no school dinner fees, no hairdesser/beauty salon trips, no beauty products to buy as not using what I've got.

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