To say that my hobby is spending money?

[ThatTipsyMaker]

Some people have hobbies like painting, knitting, or hiking. Me? I just love spending money. Whether it’s shopping for clothes, trying new restaurants or booking a spontaneous trip, I genuinely enjoy the act of spending. It’s not even always about what I buy - it’s the thrill of it, the experience, the little rush of excitement.

Obviously, I don’t spend beyond my means and I make sure my bills are covered. But is it really so bad that my main source of joy comes from parting with my money? Or should I feel guilty about it?

As long as you aren’t in terrible debt, or leaving your family without basic necessities, then crack on. Nothing wrong with spending one’s hard earned money on treats!

I think it depends. If you buy things and enjoy them and treasure them great. If you buy things and after you have them they just get in the way no.

A lot of hobbies involve spending money. To varying degrees.

All hobbies involve an initial spend on equipment - knitting needles, paintbrushes and paints, hiking boots and hiking coat. Then there is the continued cost of replacing equipment as it wear outs or buying materials needed or slowly upgrading your equipment. Knitting - buying yarn and patterns. Painting - buying paint and canvas (or other mediums). Hiking - car parking, maybe a pub lunch.

You're just cutting out the middle man of having that stuff for a specific purpose.

No need to feel guilty, but it seems like a bit of an empty kind of a hobby iyswim. I am a bit excited if I buy something I really want or go somewhere or eat somewhere I really want to go, but it's about the item / experience, not the spending. I wouldn't call it a hobby at all. I have hobbies and they are a completely different thing.

I mean, I like buying things as much as the next person but to say it's your hobby is really quite sad. Maybe spend money on some counselling to explore why?

I'm the same OP, love browsing, planning, wandering around the shops, love checking things online, love ordering stuff, i don't see it as any different to any other hobby or pastime that people get enjoyment from, and to add it wouldn't occur to me to feel any guilt about it!!!

God me too. Love it when I have an excuse to buy some house decor etc, not a need but a want!

Or maybe I just enjoy myself differently than you do - not everything has to be pathologised. I spend within my means, I’m happy, and that’s enough for me.

Dopamine seeking. It’s common. It’s also a total waste if you don’t actually enjoy the thing you buy.

My suggestion, understand happiness. Look at the research. Which basically says that things don’t make us happy, experiences (and memories) do. So spend less on stuff, and more on travel and restaurants. Also, try to look at what gives us dopamine without spending money and buggering the environment.

You could do some thinking on why you are seeking dopamine like this. In my case it’s the ADHD, but I spend it all on travel and I think it’s worth it.

OP - Do you spend money on things that bring you pleasure and happiness for a long time or is it just the immediate thrill of splashing the cash?

Bit of both, to be honest. Sometimes it’s something that brings longer-term joy - like a weekend away or something for my home. Other times, it’s just the fun of the moment, like trying a new restaurant or treating myself to something small. It’s less about the object and more about the experience or mood it creates.

I do exactly the same - so you make me feel more normal lol. I like spending money - on nice things that will last for ages and being me pleaseure everytime I see them/use them - nice things around the house etc and also 'experiances' which I can look back on. LIkewise I can afford it and pay bills etc.

it's your thrill @ThatTipsyMaker that is enough.

No other opinion matters, at all. 💐

Yes same here, I'm always on the lookout for a new restaurant or bar and usually have around 4 or 5 holidays booked up and waiting, as soon as I get home from one i add another to the list!!

There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a weekend away or trying a new restaurant.

The fact that it’s the spending money aspect you enjoy rather than really being interested in the restaurant is kind of pathetic. It’s dopamine seeking. It’s the exact same as someone saying their “hobby” is scrolling social media. That isn’t a hobby. That’s instant gratification behaviour and it isn’t psychologically good for you.

I’m an interior designer so I love spending on interiors and I’d consider myself someone who enjoys fashion. But I love researching the items I buy and finding joy in them, not the spending money part. That’s just a bit of admin.

That’s not really a hobby though.

I love spending money too. But I always make sure expensive purchases are (as much as they can be) ‘forever’ items.

It’s fine as long as you are saving for your old age and don’t expect the state (taxpayers) to step in and support you.

I think a lot of people kid themselves that they have hobbies, when in fact they just enjoy buying all the stuff. My theory is that 90% of hobbycraft purchases are never used, or used once only.

Get a better hobby. Seriously.

What if you get to a point where you hardly have any disposable income? Do you really want to look back on life and see that all you’ve done is added to landfill waste?

It makes me feel sorry for you tbh. To live a life in order to consume. If it wasn't for the climate crisis being driven forward by overconsumption I wouldn't have anything morally against it. Just thinking that you're probably not an interesting person to talk to.

I do it myself, I have a hobby that I do in a club, but have the fun of being the purchaser for the group, so get to browse and sometimes buy all sorts of materials and tools, that I would never use at home.

Very shallow.

Shopping as a hobby is mindless acquisition of "stuff" which is killing the planet. You need to find something more constructive to do with your spare time.

This year has been the first I’ve not brought anything online or from the shops…. No dress shoes homeware etc etc. only essentials.

money is tight and the recession is biting.

Is that you, Joanna Lumley?