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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to spend £160 on a 'curiosity?'

109 replies

FrogInTheFog · 12/09/2023 21:30

I collect little antique bits and pieces - mainly jewellery, ring boxes and dolls house furniture, letters and postcards - interested in anything Georgian period through to about 1910

I've seen a diary that I'd love. It's from 1822 and contains hand written poems, newspaper clippings and personal drawings.

But it's £160 and more than I usually spend on this sort of thing. I can afford it I suppose but it just seems like a frivolous purchase tbh and I can't make my mind up if it's just a colossal waste of money or if I'd like to own it

It's hardly a practical or useful purchase

WWYD?

OP posts:
Original poster
FrogInTheFog · 12/09/2023 21:30

Oops. Posted in wrong topic - meant to post in AIBU

I've reported my post and asked for it to be moved

OP posts:
IslandAngle · 12/09/2023 21:31

“I've seen a diary that I'd love”

Buy it!!

WhatWouldMrMannersSay · 12/09/2023 21:32

If you can afford it, buy it. If it brings you joy that's great.

It's not like most diaries from 1822 are £15 from Primark and you're wanting a £160 one. It's a one-off item and special to you.

Sunshinebuttercupsrainbows · 12/09/2023 21:32

Treat yourself as an early Christmas present to yourself!

continentallentil · 12/09/2023 21:33

Give yourself a cooling off period then buy it if you want. It sounds a lovely thing and if you’ll treasure it that’s money well spent.

RJnomore1 · 12/09/2023 21:33

Honestly if it’s not going to put you in debt buy it. Life is too short not to do things you can.

Vallmo47 · 12/09/2023 21:33

Life is short - why not ✨🥰

MindPalace · 12/09/2023 21:33

Much better to spend a bit more on something you’ve fallen in love with than spend less on something that is quite nice. I always make that mistake end up buying more things but don’t feel satisfied.

Go for it!

Greenfinch7 · 12/09/2023 21:34

Sounds like a beautiful thing to spend money on- lots of people spend that much on a meal out or a dress they don't need...

It will mean a lot to you and it is unique

SisterMichaelsHabit · 12/09/2023 21:34

It's not like most diaries from 1822 are £15 from Primark
I'm dying! 🤣

FettleOfKish · 12/09/2023 21:35

Just the other day right here someone was pondering paying £7k for someone to put their Christmas decs up, so I'd say £160 for something that will bring you joy for the long term is a comparative bargain 🤷🏻‍♀️

Do it OP. There's a lot to be said for a little joy.

fairyfluf · 12/09/2023 21:35

If you love it and can afford it then go for it. People spend more on perfume than that

CeeceeBloomingdale · 12/09/2023 21:36

You're still think about it so there's your answer. I think you regret the things you don't do more than the things you do. But it.

Butterkist8 · 12/09/2023 21:36

Buy it.

It will bring you much joy.

And what, exactly is the price of joy, eh? Bet it's more than that diary!

Original poster
FrogInTheFog · 12/09/2023 21:38

Ugh you're all encouraging me here!

No it won't put me in debt and I won't have to eat bread for a week or feed the kids beans on toast but I would 'feel' the purchase a bit for sure!

And this book is not about deftly on its first flush of youth as you can imagine! It's tatty with a busted spine and foxing on the pages and probably smells a bit!

But I would love to have it. One of the poems is brilliant! All about how being 'in my 36th year' is in ' the yellow leaf of my years'

So it's kinda depressing too Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
FrogInTheFog · 12/09/2023 21:39
  • exactly not 'about deftly!'
OP posts:
Whatsmyusername1235 · 12/09/2023 21:40

Wow a diary from 1822! That must be so interesting. If you can definitely afford it then buy it. I would love to own that.

Gnomegnomegnome · 12/09/2023 21:41

And this book is not about deftly on its first flush of youth as you can imagine! It's tatty with a busted spine and foxing on the pages and probably smells a bit!

Sounds amazing! Buy it!

FleawoodMac · 12/09/2023 21:42

Buy it!

Those kind of things hold their value, so you could always sell it in the future and you'd probably get the money back (or more). That's what I tell myself anyway, when I buy yet more old stuff... that makes me happy.

BellaAndDave · 12/09/2023 21:43

@FrogInTheFog buy it. You can’t say you’ve found a diary from 1822 and not share a snippet of a photo of it.

mistermagpie · 12/09/2023 21:44

Oh please buy it! It sounds lovely and like it would bring you joy. People spend more than that on a meal out that lasts a couple of hours. I don't think you'll regret it.

Original poster
FrogInTheFog · 12/09/2023 21:48

@BellaAndDave ha! Please see some little pics.

I also see a date .. 1792

So is it older?

AIBU to spend £160 on a 'curiosity?'
AIBU to spend £160 on a 'curiosity?'
AIBU to spend £160 on a 'curiosity?'
OP posts:
caringcarer · 12/09/2023 21:48

Sunshinebuttercupsrainbows · 12/09/2023 21:32

Treat yourself as an early Christmas present to yourself!

Yes this. If it brings you joy and you can afford it why not. I collect Royal Albert bone china Tea Pots in particular but whole dinner services for 24 people, tea services too. Storage room is the problem for me. DH is encouraging me to just focus on the tea pots as they take up lots less space.

BellaAndDave · 12/09/2023 21:49

It’s beautiful! You can’t not buy it now.

Fangisnotacoward · 12/09/2023 21:51

Buy it.
You will have it for the rest of your life and everytime you read it I'm sure it will bring you joy.
Would.you spend £25 on amazon for some old random crap that you wouldn't think too much about purchasing? Cause I know I would!
Don't do that for 6 months and you've covered the cost of the diary.

In 20 years will you say "I wish I hadn't bought that diary" if you do. Or will you say, "I wish I had bought that diary" if I don't.

Do it! But I'm a sucker for old books and you'll give it a loving home 😁