Is £100 too much for a day out with kids?

[Worriedandscurd]

So this is a silly question but I recently got a new job. I was a single parent and struggled for many years. This new job pays a lot more, something I could never of dreamed of and things are seemingly falling into place.

I took my two kids out today, we went to an activity had food in a nice restaurant and spent £100 including travel. At the time I just thought how nice it would be to finally treat us. But now I feel anxious, I have the money spare. It just seems so so excessive. Is this excessive? I could of saved a bit here and there but they had such a lovely day. Honestly this isn’t me bragging. I had some months before where I genuinely didn’t know whether to heat my house or feed my kids. I just need to know from people who do this regularly if it’s too much?

Op you are looking at this all the wrong way around. firstly without doing DIY food etc and paying for entry - then 100 is about right sadly for a day out.

However you need to organise your spending so tuck all bills money and essentials like food to one side, whats left - then divide that up into holiday fund, bday fund, xmas fund, emergency savings - dc savings - then you know what you have to spend each weekend on days out - an if you dont spend it - roll it over.

Then - you wont feel guilty about spending whats allocated as you KNOW you are not robbing from elsewhere. I know very rich people who cant relax about spending X on a take away or blah on a spur of the moment drink out!
I often wonder why they dont sort their money like this and it takes out the anxiety because bills nad needs are taken care of and this is ring fenced for FUN.

When we started to do this system years ago we had the grand total of £20 for fun at the weekend! HOt chocs or treats after a walk money or ice creams or back then swimming money or the cinema/

NOw we have more to spend each weekend and that is for fun.

• if it wasnt for tesco clubcard we would have gone on very few days out - it was only tesco points that got us into expensive attractions and now getting to london with sadiques awful car tax makes it less do able for poorer families.

It doesn't sound excessive as you've said you can afford it. I massively get the freak out though. Up until even 2 years ago, days out with the kids were few and far between, and heart stopping when we could make them happen. Now with both myself and my husband working, we budget a few months ahead for everything including days out/holiday/family fun money. We're going to longleat in the summer and thats almost £200 just for tickets. I spent WEEKS back and forth on the site wondering if could really blow that kind of money on one day for just tickets. In the end my husband booked them.

Sounds fine to me if you can afford it.

I spent £100 taking us all to the theme park the other day. It's not an amount I would spend regularly but I figured the kids have had a pretty boring year so why not treat us all.

I don’t think it’s an unreasonable amount to spend on a day’s activity and food.

I do understand the mindset but please also think about how hard you’ve worked in the difficult times and I’m sure continue to do now. You’ve earned that money! As a result, you now have the opportunity to use it for treats like this with your family. Kudos to you!