To ask if anyone else has this crap backwards thinking?

[TrixieThunder]

I don’t flinch at spending £30 on a takeaway but balk at the idea of spending the same money on a skirt (I could wear 100+ times). Why is this? I’ve had nights out that have cost me £100s but looking at anything I’ll actually get reuse out if I hold back and talk myself out of.

Why do I do it? And am I alone?

I'll spend £100 on a dress I wear once to a wedding but resent spending £100 in a nice pair of jeans that I'll wear twice a week or more for several years. No logic to it.

@TrixieThunder

Out of interest, did those who understand this come from poor backgrounds? My parents struggled with money and my mum I think was massively extravagant with ‘one offs’ but frugal with every day things like proper dinners (potatoes and waffles type thing was the norm).

Yes, I come from a poor background. I think I value "experiences" more than "things" so a nice meal out is more enjoyable than a new skirt.

I am exactly the same.

Begrudge spend 15 quid on something essential, 15 quid on a round of drinks, no issue.

Also won't buy my favourite branded soft drink unless it's on offer. Bottle of wine for more than double, not even a consideration.

I grew up poor but am not now.

I’m the same way with clothes and shoes, I feel bad spending money on anything for myself to wear, even glasses! Other things though, or expensive gifts for others, no problem. I can’t understand it either.

@BaronessBomburst

I think it's easier because if you buy a takeaway your akao treating your partner and family. It nice to spend money on them but it's frivolous to spend it on yourself.

Yes this is it for me. I'm a martyr and never ever spend on myself. A nice meal is for my DH usually, or DC. I'd never get the choice of where to eat and make everyone eat what I wanted. And likewise id never spend £20 on a skirt when I could buy something for DC instead. I think my DM instilled this in me - it's annoying!

I can refuse to buy myself things but can splurge unknown amounts on my kids.

I love food. It is definitely the thing I spend most on when I check my bank statements, but I pause at spending on other things.

I totally get it.

For me it's partly the thought I have to eat, food has to be constantly replenished so spending a bit more on a takeaway rather than going to Tesco isn't that big a deal. Whereas I don't really ever need new clothes so buying any clothes at all is already an unnecessary expense and that amplifies the amount they cost.

@plodalong12

I was going to say I don’t understand either but then again I’m the type of online shopper who wouldn’t consider spending say £15 with a £4.99 delivery charge but £19.99 with free delivery is fine

😂🙋‍♀️

You can rationalise paying for an experience rather than a material item. I’m often the same.

I will scrimp and scrape on food shopping - not buy things eg my favourite ice cream unless it’s on offer - meals are dictated by the yellow stickers - never buy takeaways
But I’ll spend thousands on jewellery

Yep I totally understand this. For me it's more il spend 100 pound on kids clothes or a household item that is needed but struggle massively if I had to spend even 30 pound on my self. it's the buying things for myself that I struggle with. I can spend 100 on a day out for the kids without thinking about it but I then I won't buy myself a takeaway on a weekend for me and oh that costs 20 pound without feeling incredibility guilty about it.

I am like that too.

Signing in for this. I begrudge paying 10 pounds for a t shirt that I will wear 50 times but I pay other stuff without blinking.

This is me, I can waste so much money on food because I can explain it away as "it's just dinner" but clothes etc are an actual purchase. I absolutely hate this about myself and I'm trying to change it but it's so hard.

Yes totally.

We are both decent cooks and if could bring ourselves to spend even half or 2/3 of a meal out on ingredients we could have you know. Fillet steak lobster etc etc

But yes OP it's s psychological illogical nope!

This used to be me. As a child my parents didn’t have loads of disposable income so I was always aware of how much clothing cost because we mostly bought from cheaper shops or second hand. My DH has encouraged me to buy better quality stuff and after seven years I think it’s stuck.

I never had any issues with paying for meals or drinks or though... maybe because this wasn’t something we did as children so my expectations weren’t yet set?

I'm exactly the same. I think it's something to do with the difference in 'experiences' vs materialism. Maybe.