When did you go way over budget but not regret it

[JaceLancs]

Have there been occasions when you have spent much more than you should but looking back are glad that you did?
In the 90s I was a struggling lone parent on benefits and splashed out on a small fibre optic Xmas tree - they were quite new back then
My small DC were enthralled with it - it’s still going strong nearly 30 years later and still gives us pleasure

A camping holiday to Scotland when we were first dating. Spent a months wages in two weeks and filled a photo album.

Camel coloured wool coat, it will never go out of fashion.

LK Bennet boots. They are warm and comfortable.
A decent waterproof jacket for walking the dog. I have had it for years now and it still looks as new.
Our car. We spent a large chunk of our savings on it but it is so much better than the previous one.

These days it’s always jewellery - last year at Xmas bought an Opal and diamond ring - this year it’s a bracelet
I buy secondhand vintage or real antiques and if I regret it can usually sell on to recoup my money

Our summer house, it wasn't supposed to be anywhere near as big or expensive but we love it. Chrome books for the kids, they were an impulse buy really (big money for us) but they made home schooling so much easier.

Our honeymoon cost £7000+. Amazing. Best holiday I’ve ever had. Will probably never have anything like it ever again.

One of our cars. Went to buy a mid range SUV, came home with a top end SUV that cost 6 figures. I blame DH but I handed my credit card over

Pair of knee high brown nubuck boots from Duo. At least 10 years on and still going strong.

Every Christmas.

No regrets.

Ski holiday in Dec 2019. Went over budget as paid for my best friend to come with too for their 30th. Was paying off the credit cards for months after but so worth it, especially as neither of us have been on holiday since...

Also £60 on a coat in a shop far too fashionable for me (but on sale!) and it’s a size 4 so i cant zip it up...but it looks amazing unzipped and so smart.

Holiday to Vegas. Put a lot on the credit card, took a year to pay off but don’t regret it.

My wedding photographers. They were amazing and I love the photos 6 years on

A holiday to the Maldives in 2015. For two WC people who grew up poor, it was the most expensive holiday we ever went on. And I think for many people it won’t be a big deal but it was for us at the time:

We paid £4,400 for us both for 2 weeks in a water villa, all inclusive, with flights to the Male and a sea plane to the resort.

Hand made rug from Bukhara on the Silk Road. Two ladies took six months to make it. The most I have ever spent on furniture/decor of any kind. It's spectacular.

My wedding dress. Double the budget. Never regretted for a minute!

There’s been a few things over the years.

A watch - I was looking for one around 500 quid as I’d had a surprise bonus but fell in love with a beautiful diamond and pearl one. It was 2000 (reduced from 4000!). It gives me a thrill every time I wear it.

In a similar vein, I bought a diamond pendant earlier this year. It’s an unusual style, and he following month I decided sod it, and bought the matching earrings.

My living room curtains- outrageous but perfect. A lamp. A table. The Christmas tree.

One I do kind of regret is the extremely expensive sofa. We’d hankered after it for a while, and when the old one broke decided to buy the fancy leather one. It looks great,
and is comfy to sit on, but it’s a bit too high backed for me. OH absolutely loves it- I swear he’d be running in to save it in the event of a fire!

My car this year. Have wanted one of these for ages. Finally managed to persuade dh to spend some of the savings. It’s beautiful and I love it.

Quite a few things..I'm not good with budgets!

My wedding is the main one. We spent a lot but it was my dream day and the memories we have are priceless, but I did stupid things like buy one expensive dress and then decide it 'wasn't quite right' and bought another. That was daft. But as I said, the wedding was incredible so no regrets.

Our house. It cost more than I wanted to spend but DH talked me into it, it's beautiful but when I think how much sometimes I think OMG!

I know DH spent a lot on my engagement ring, he wouldn't tell me how much as I would have disapproved but I know it's over a certain amount because I had to have it insured, but DH's philosophy was I have to look at it every day and so it should be beautiful, he was right, it was worth it as it makes me happy every day.

Redecorating our lounge and playroom. It cost £10k, but included a professional decorator doing both rooms, wooden shutters in both rooms, 3 sofas, new lighting and side tables, a Samsung frame tv and other bits and bobs to make the rooms cost.

Every time I go into the rooms I just smile as they are beautiful. And at the moment, I see a lot more of these rooms than I ever thought we would

My kitchen. Knocked through, blocked doors, total redesign. Worth every penny.

Employing a 'house doctor' for advice on my living room, then following that advice.
For £150 she recommended an arrangement of furniture, a paint and carpet colour and curtains for my living room with bespoke pelmets. I hadn't been able to work out how to curtain two very different windows that look straight onto the pavement. I had had Roman blinds made, then put up curtain rails and hung ready-made curtains. But the room just wasn't welcoming, and after ten years of sitting in the kitchen and avoiding the front room, I took the plunge.
I LOVE the room now and the curtains genuinely give me joy every time I look at them now 18 years later. More than I would ever have dreamed of paying but if I broke the cost down now by the number of days I have enjoyed the result - bargain!

A Terence Nolder Ball Gown in 1982 for £155.00. I had so many fantastic nights wearing that dress, including when I met DH some years later and when the frock was almost worn out.

More recently, well about 8/9 years ago a Caroline Charles velvet evening coat. Worn and worn and worn. And worth every penny.

This is a minor one, but fresh in my mind right now... Christmas decorations.

I was shocked how expensive the (upmarket) ones I fell in love with were. And they spend most of their time in the loft, right? And they are frivolous and unnecessary.

But I bought loads of them anyway (wincing a bit) and they are FABULOUS. They make the house amazing and Christmassy every single year and they still look like new. This Christmas is pants in so many ways, but they are really cheering me up. I've just been looking at them again and thinking "Wow!" My only regret is that I didn't buy even more of them.

Our bed!

Dh 40 has stage 4 terminal cancer and had been struggling to sleep in our old bed. When we went to the bed shop we didn't even look at the prices, just chose the most comfortable and the one we like with a new full headboard. I did take a big gulp of air as I handed over my bank card! Dh now sleep like a log and as he's sleeping more and more it was worth it.

A holiday to Mexico, we had only just been told DH's diagnosis and given his life expectancy of 12 months. We packed our bags, picked the most amazing hotel that was adults only with a swim up suite and a butler and flew 2 days later! The children 20, 18 & 13 stayed at home with my parents. We had the most amazing 2 weeks just being together. Lots of crying and talking about our life. Probably the best thing to do as we were more with it by the time we got home to help the children. Paid for it on my credit card thinking sod it.

Some very emotional posts on here
Big unmumsnetty hugs to all of you
It’s heartwarming to know I’m not alone in occasionally saying fuck it!
If I ever get access to large amounts of cash I could be seriously dangerous in how I spend it!!