To feel justified getting a taxi back from the shops sometimes -DH seems IABU

[ladyattheback]

How many of you do this - especially if you have pain issues and don't run a car?

I've been happily married to DH for 28 yrs. Neither of us either run a car nor have a driving licence, neither of us ever got a driving licence, so not had anything confiscated (could be part of his concern but he won't say).

We live in Greater Manchester, with really great bus connections (probably because of that and budget plus we never learned), so never been a worry getting the children about (no Mum and Dad taxi service with our DC). Supermarket groceries are no issue - we largely have those delivered.

During the last few years, I'm finding it harder physically to get about as soon as I have a few bags of shopping I would usually manage on the bus. I'm not especially large - a size 14 though approaching 50 it would be nice to lose a bit of weight.

I've chronic pain issues - spine, hips, shoulders etc. Once or twice I've felt like giving up and getting a taxi back part way. I'm then wasted for the next couple of hours after getting back. It's not the walking that bothers me so much, it's as soon as I'm bearing weight. So far - no cab until last weekend, and I never heard the last of it from DH - what a waste of money etc.

I've been thinking about getting the bus out lately, doing the 20 min walk out, then about in the stores and coming back in a cab. For example, tins of paint and bulky items can be on the heavy side. The retail park that has all I need in one fell-swoop has many of the places I would visit in one place, but it's a 6 mile trip home in a cab.

AIBU to 'treat' myself on occasion to this, or is DH right it's too much? Is he afraid I will be judged getting into a cab and people will suspect I must be getting into a cab because I've had a licence taken away? I've never been able to drive due to a sight restriction, but DH has never been inspired to learn. We are entering our 50's now so that is unlikely to change.

I'm sick of ordering online and getting 'unpredictable' quality delivered by Amazon - I'd like to be able to bring some purchases home from in-store.

DH will rarely be seen out shopping - can't stand it. I'm not the biggest shopper, but sometimes we need to get it in?

I do have friends that drive, though don't want to ask - they don't go in for the same items as me - I also prefer not to spend all Saturday shopping - if I can get out on a weeknight and do click/collect I'd rather do that.

The quote changes if it's edited. I think the editing point has passed now though.

DH and I are in our 30s and only run one car, DH needs this for work. I mostly work from home and mostly walk everywhere but get the occasional uber home from work on my office day if the rain is bad and I have my laptop with me, or I’m going a longer distance. It’s much cheaper than running 2 cars overall. I would never think someone getting a taxi had lost their license as there may be lots of reasons someone gets a taxi instead of drives.

“Running a car would cost 1 to 2k a year so put that amount to taxis.”

And the rest. it’s not unusual for the insurance to cost that Alone!! Add in the cost of the car, petrol, maintenance and its cost to 3-6k a year.

do I judge you op for getting a taxi with bags of shopping? Absolutely not. But I do judge a man in his 50s who couldn’t be bothered to get a driving licence, dictating who else can use taxis ( especially when they have shopping bags arms are sing Alone as he simply doesn’t want to as he dislikes it). Believe me, it’s not you that comes out of this looking bad.

on a slightly separate note but still related, have you considered a shopping trolley? Makes life so much easier.

I often see people getting taxis with their shopping at retail parks or outside supermarkets and I don’t think twice about it.

There’s so many other reasons why someone might not be driving to the retail parks that I’ve never once considered that one of those shoppers might be a banned driver.

It is absolutely not an issue in the slightest! No one will judge you, no one will give it a second thought. Your husband is being totally ridiculous. You could be totally childish one day and and go shopping and bring back one or two light bags of shopping on the bus and when he moans that you haven’t got all the essentials you need you say well I can’t manage it all back on the bus. Point made. Moaning git.

I can’t believe you’re 50 and still give a crap what other people might think.

Do what’s going to make you comfortable.

You could also consider buying bulk tinned goods, pastas, rice etc for home delivery which will save carrying heavy items. Then just do your fresh shop you’re comfortable on the bus with.