Frivolous things you used to spend money on?

[Lemon221]

What did you used to spend your money on that your now seems completely extravagant and frivolous? I’ll go first, jo malone candles ridiculous how much I spent on wax!

Magazines-at least £100 a month
Shoes-at one point I had 739 pairs
Takeaways-at least £30 a month
Make up-I’d only ever buy on a 3 for 2 but at least £10 a week (sometimes £50 a week)
Perfume-I buy £2 roll ones and nobody has commented-before it would be £60 every couple of months

Now-clothes are my weakness but I’ve limited myself to eBay or charity shops
I am trying to cut down but old habits are dying hard

@MurmuratingStarling

No of course people shouldn't spend money on things if they do not have it, but for those of us who can afford services like hairdressers, beauty, cleaners, taxis etc it's helping the economy. We are still going out etc because it's helps keep people in jobs and we can afford it (obviously with the increase in the cost of living we save a bit less)

We used to eat out a lot- mostly casual places a few times per week- since Covid we haven’t really done it and if I’m honest I don’t miss it one bit.

I also stopped our Diptyque candle obsession when we realised during the first lockdown spring clean we had almost £1000 of them (and Cire Trudon too) sat unopened in a cupboard. Our home has a constant draught so the fragrance disappears fairly rapidly out the bloody window what a waste!

I dont regret a single penny spent on kid’s birthday parties/boden outfits/lelli kelly shoes… but i was under no illusions at the time i did it for me nobody else, my memories

Magazines and sable make up brushes

@halfpasteleven
Brow & lash

Coffee and pastries... Used to spend £6-8 a day every working day when I earned £20k. About 10% of my salary!

Spent probably 20% on booze and nights out too, but art least I have some memories to go with that.

Designer bags. Well into the thousands per bag... Will have them forever though but I go through stages where I can't believe I ever spent that on bags and suddenly I'll get back into it.

I haven't owned anything that needed dry cleaning for a couple of decades!

I don’t buy books new anymore. Every book I get is now from world of books or abe books and occasionally I’ll find one I like in a charity shop for 50p. It’s been much cheaper this way. The library is only open two half days in the week so I’m not able to go very often, it’s nice to still have ‘new’ books to read despite that.

I have never in my life regularly bought coffees, magazines, cigarettes, booze to drink at home, nails/facials/brows or designer clothes - this is not a boast but to say that I kind of wish I had so I could save a huge chunk of money by stopping! It's almost a bit depressing when you don't have anything too frivolous you can stop. Although I bet I buy stuff people would consider ridiculous.

I did used to go out drinking a lot which I don't any more (makes me feel crap, which is a shame because it was really fun) and I have in my late 30s starting to have decent hair treatments and more expensive (but reliable) skincare etc!

Interest!
I used to stick things on cards all of the time without thinking, then pay minimum payments so that I wasn’t “giving away my cash” which just meant I paid more in the long run. Now I only have my car on finance and no other debts.

Magazines too. Country Living, gardening or Home Style. I bought about two a month when I was working. Stopped now and just have one weekly which DH treated me too in lockdown and hasn’t stopped the subscription. To be fair he likes the puzzles and crosswords we do together and I make some of the recipes and do some of the crafts. I upcycled a set of steps and a chest of drawers for the Summerhouse. I do miss Country Living though.

Weed. Uni was in a coastal area. Coke. Charlie. I'm dead normal now 😆 🤣 😂

High end stupidly - and I mean really stupidly - expensive skincare. I no longer pay over £100 for a pot of moisturiser.

As pp lelli Kelly rock

@Horaceandgus

Magazines-at least £100 a month Shoes-at one point I had 739 pairs Takeaways-at least £30 a month Make up-I’d only ever buy on a 3 for 2 but at least £10 a week (sometimes £50 a week) Perfume-I buy £2 roll ones and nobody has commented-before it would be £60 every couple of months

Now-clothes are my weakness but I’ve limited myself to eBay or charity shops
I am trying to cut down but old habits are dying hard

739...how?

[quote gogohm]@MurmuratingStarling

No of course people shouldn't spend money on things if they do not have it, but for those of us who can afford services like hairdressers, beauty, cleaners, taxis etc it's helping the economy. We are still going out etc because it's helps keep people in jobs and we can afford it (obviously with the increase in the cost of living we save a bit less)[/quote]
@gogohm

Some people CAN afford it but still choose not to squander the money!

I have spent my fair share on this kind of stuff over the decades, and lined many a hairdressers pocket. Ditto taxi drivers, beauty spas, restaurant owners, pub landlords, and takeaways etc etc.

I choose to do it a LOT less these days.

That's my prerogative and I don't have to explain myself or feel a single shred of guilt. You knock yourself out spending your money on stuff you don't actually NEED. I choose NOT to.

It doesn't make you a better person, because you squander money on restaurants, cleaners, taxis, beauty spas, and hairdressers etc. And you saying 'those of us who CAN afford it WILL spend!' makes you come across as rather arrogant. Especially in this day and age when many people barely have a pot to piss in.

Your job must be awesome.

Magazines

Manicures, taxis

New bar tops weekly in university

Nails. I used to spend a fortune on my nails but now I work permanently from home and the only person who sees my nails is the Amazon delivery guy and I'm pretty sure he doesn't give a shit 😂

This thread has made me realise why I am so good at saving money... I don't buy any of this stuff 😂

Cigarettes
Full price clothes
Brand new baby / child clothes and equipment
Gardener
Painter
Expensive full price furniture

I'm keeping my hairdresser highlights and cuts because I look in the mirror every day. Also my clothes-buying habit as I only buy in good sales and wear everything to death.

Also I'm not giving up occasional Takeaways and meals out because we REALLY enjoy them.