How do you afford stuff for yourself?

[Shouldhavegotthemeatmeatballs]

I remember once upon a time, floating around the shops buying myself clothes, shoes, bags, perfume etc. I work part time now but earn a similar amount and Dh is now on more money, but after I’ve bought everything for Dd (5) for example, this week all the winter bits-coat, boots, pjs, jumpers etc etc, plus getting a few Christmas bits in, there’s just never enough left over. I got myself two jumpers, but that’s it and I need much more. There’s just always so much to buy and that with just one child. I don’t know how people manage. Our mortgage has shot right up, but I have a degree and supposedly good career, do you have money to get yourself a winter wardrobe etc?

I have more clothes than I need tbh. I don't buy clothes that often, but I keep them for decades years!

Where are you buying the clothes from?

stick to places like Vinted, loads of stuff with tags on.

H&M, primark, supermarket clothing etc.

could you do the washing more often so your dd doesn’t need as many clothes. At 5, most of her wardrobe will be school uniform anyway.

I wouldn't work more hours (which would mean sacrificing more time with my children) just so that I could spend more on clothes.

I work full time, and have money to spend on myself. When the kids were smaller, I was part time, so there wasn’t as much left over for me to spend on clothes etc.

I have nice clothes but I don't buy them often. This week I was complimented on a coat that's at least 6 years old and a dress that's older.

Yes these are my solutions too. I keep clothes for years and years if I still
like them.

I don’t 50% of my clothes are older than my eldest (12) and 80% older than my youngest (5).

The OPs question was how do you afford things for yourself, and specifically mentioned clothes. The OP works part time so that is the answer. Obviously people have different priorities, and I’m sure it’s not just clothes.

I economise elsewhere!
I also buy most of my clothes from eBay, charity shops, outlet stores etc
Classic quality items last for years
I have numerous coats - one is over 30 years old - it still gets admired, wool cashmere mix camel from max Mara

When my kids are going back to school after the Summer holidays, I buy them each a warm, waterproof jacket to do them through Winter until the weather starts to warm up again after Easter; then in Spring I get them each a lightweight waterproof jacket to do them until the end of Summer. Around their birthdays every year I buy them their clothes in the next size up; usually 5 or 6 pairs of joggers or leggings, one pair of jeans, 5 or 6 T-shirts, a shirt or dress for parties, a few hoodies or sweatshirts, undies, socks, a few pairs of pyjamas, a dressing gown and a few pairs of fluffy socks, to do them hopefully the year or until they grow out of them. For my younger 2 I go through the hand me downs first to check what we already have, then just buy to top that up. Obviously throughout the year I'll occasionally need to replace torn trousers, holey socks and so on. Every few months I measure their feet with the Clarks gauge and if they need bigger shoes I order a pair of black trainers for school, a pair of casual trainers and a pair of wellies. Every 2nd month I book them in for haircuts. Coming into Winter I dig out the big bag of hats, scarves and gloves we've accumulated and check each of them have a hat, a scarf and a pair of gloves that still fit, are still in decent condition and that they're willing to wear.. and only buy more if needed.

All other income after bills goes towards their clubs and activities, the family sports centre membership, their birthdays, Christmas, Halloween, Easter, our annual Summer camping trip, our annual week or 2 visit to stay with family in the area I grew up in and occasional days out (I try to get them to the ice skating, bowling, cinema and pony trekking once each per year and get to a couple of historical sites each year, but mostly I take them to the beach and for woodland walks).

I'm in a lot of debt now after furnishing the house for the kids, putting some play equipment in the garden for them and just doing the above. There's nothing left to spend on myself but I don't mind as long as the kids' needs are met.

I buy only very good quality clothes on sales. Ditch the Zara, H&M, cheap things that follow the trends and buy from Max&co, Ralph Laurent etc they are often on sale on Brandally. All my jumpers are cashmere, not necessarily branded. They are classic pieces that last over ten years, I buy 1-2 per season max, last year I did not buy anything. I am always smartly dressed and I am sure I spend a fraction than my colleagues who have always new things but they are badly tailored, look cheap and by end of season need to be thrown.

I very rarely buy things full price. My youngest is just going into the next size up and I've had half his clothes since the last January sales. I'm not shopping in expensive shops either, get some lovely things from Next Outlet for a bargain and have had some lovely stuff for all of us from supermarket clothing and Primark. It baffles me why someone would put a toddler in design clothes just for them to spill paint and food on unless they are loaded and have the money to waste.
Nothing I wear lasts one season, apart from shoes maybe as I walk a lot so they don't often last long so I have plenty of clothes but only a few pieces bought this year.

Vinted for me and the kids if we need something. Except for shoes. I don't buy each year either, I just use the same clothes as last year.

No, our children are our priority and we reuse things year on year. We both earn above average salaries.

We each have £400 disposable each month. Sometimes it might go on a hotel for a last minute weekend away, but generally it’s just available for us to treat ourselves whether that’s a few coffees, dinner with friends, or clothing/ haircuts.
Clothes for DC or Christmas money is separate so one doesn’t impact the other.

I work full time though, I don’t think I would work part time if it meant there was little money left for enjoying things in life.

I'm in the fortunate position that we don't really need to worry too much about pinching pennies, but we still try not to spend money unnecessarily. I have a toddler, whose clothes are mostly either hand-me-downs (free) or very nice second hand from Vinted. Same with toys. I do occasionally buy bits for her new, but only when the equivalent can't really be found cheaper second-hand. Children do grow and need bigger clothes, but they don't actually need huge amounts of stuff.

I would have money to spend on myself if I wanted to, but I rarely do. I often consider it but then I look at my bulging wardrobe and it doesn't really seen right. I know it's fun to have new things occasionally, but it's a pretty modern/fast-fashion mindset to be honest. I try to only buy new stuff for myself when there is a clear need, and I enjoy the whole thing more as a result. Other than boring things like tights and pj's I'm not sure when I last bought something new for myself.

For DSs clothes I was in a chain of mums where he got second hand clothes from 2 older boys. I then passed them on to my friend who passed them on to her sister. Some of the clothes went through 7 boys before they went to charity.

I don't tend to buy many clothes as I wear stuff until it wears out. But Vinted is good for coats and outer wear.

Try charity shops if new is too expensive most of us throw out stuff we bought and never wore which means there are real steals available.

I can afford stuff for me, but I tend to spend on everyone else too.

My only real expense is my gym membership as I see this as my treat to myself. I benefit from a physical and mental health point of view. I don’t buy a lot of clothes but I have started using vinted and had some good bargains and sold a few bits too .
we have quite a high mortgage as we moved earlier this year but took out a short term mortgage because of our ages 49 and 55 so that means I don’t have a lot of disposable income.
I can work extra shifts at work which is something I do to pay for treats. holidays etc

We have a separate budget each for whatever we want to buy, whether that’s clothes or going out.
I don’t, however, buy a winter ( or any other season ) wardrobe every year.
I have clothes from last year etc etc

Charity shops, for me and the children. We have some lovely clothes.

No kids and with self-employer side work I often work every day in some capacity for starters...and not buying a 'winter wardrobe'

I have one coat that has an under layer for when it gets colder so I wear the coat nearly all year as it's also waterproof.

Same outfits, I tend to wear pretty much the same clothes all year bar ones that are really summery/really wintery (but those are only a few things) and just layer up as the seasons change.

I've bought a couple dresses since summer, I like them and am happy to wear them over and over.

I’m so surprised by how many people go to charity shops etc, I didn’t think so many people did this
With my Dd, she had two beautiful winter coats that lasted 2-3 years, she’s only just grown out of them, she seems to have suit up so needed a coat, leggings, jeans, some jumpers, boots, trainers, pjs etc etc

I'm also surprised how many people seem to be able to find the type of item they need, that fits and they like in charity shops, or on Vinted. That must be incredibly time consuming.

Why are you surprised re charity shops ?
I don't know anyone that buys everything new. If you are, that will be why you can't afford as much as other people