Do you feel guilty for treating yourself?

[Treatyourself]

Does anyone else feel guilty when they spend money on non essentials.

We are ok for money but far from well off. Probably what people would described as the squeezed middle.

Recently I treated myself to a few bits. Some nice make up £50, a bag £40, some new bras £80.

Dh and I are quite frugal generally, shop at Aldi or use basics ranges, buy second hand or hunt for discount codes, use employee discounts.

I love treating myself but always feel quite guilty unless it's something absolutely essential. Does anyone else?

Absolutely! I'm a saver not a spender (grew up low income, think always 2nd hand, no name brand items, no holidays, luxuries etc). If I do want something, I consider it very carefully & I equate it to how many hours work it'll take me to afford said item.

Even things like getting a massage or getting my nails done... I'd like to do that stuff more often, I just can't bring myself to.

Always. I grew up dirt poor, no reliable income, phone was always being cut off, final reminders on the doormat. I’m always terrified to spend money. When I turned 40, after much persuasion, I bought myself a designer handbag on holiday which I had seen and loved and then got back to the hotel and sobbed for an hour over what I’d done. DH has been long suffering for 20 years over it and he says it’s the one thing he wishes he could change about me. For most purchases I get round the feeling by buying second hand or waiting for a discount then spending feels bearable. I can buy for others, just not myself. I wish I could shake it, I really do.

No not at all. I think earn my money, why would I feel guilty? I have a massage every Friday, I have my nails done. I buy what I want. Who would make me guilty?

I once spent an exorbitant amount of money on a designer handbag I purchased overseas. Said designer handbag then stayed in my closet for about a year, because I couldn't bring myself to plop it on a dirty floor (aka, use) if I went out anywhere. I do use it, now, but I certainly try & look after it more & don't treat it like a regular handbag, which would get tossed wherever!

I feel guilty if it's unethical — e.g. sweatshop-made, carbon-intensive, not fair trade, etc., or if it's spectacularly extravagant, but durable new bags and decent make up do cost lots these days and, though non-essential for survival, are part of a decent, as in enjoyable, standard of living. Definitely don't feel guilty spending within reason!

No, but I do make considered purchases. I don't buy just because. And I always buy in the sales, or from charity shops, as I can get clothes in natural fibres, for quite cheap where I live. Saying that, I really do not need any more clothes, or things, for a while!