Page 10 | To think budgeting culture has become joyless?

ByNattyFinch · 2025-12-18T11:03:06+00:00

Budgets are good. Financial literacy is good. But AIBU to think some people treat buying a hot drink like a moral failure? Life shouldn’t feel like a spreadsheet.

R1nt1nt1n · 19/12/2025 10:27

AstonUniversityPotholeDepartment · 19/12/2025 10:23

Hello ChatGPT

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And?

Either way I’d rather spend 25/50p per cup than £4-5 for less/ same quality

TidyCyan · 19/12/2025 10:28

AstonUniversityPotholeDepartment · 19/12/2025 10:23

Hello ChatGPT

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Yeah. I don't engage with anyone who spits out ChatGPT slop like it means anything. I don't care what coffee they drink.

AstonUniversityPotholeDepartment · 19/12/2025 10:33

R1nt1nt1n · 19/12/2025 10:27

And?

Either way I’d rather spend 25/50p per cup than £4-5 for less/ same quality

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You didn't even have the integrity to acknowledge it wasn't your own work without being prompted!

This is a site and community for humans to discuss and exchange ideas. Post what you think, not a AI text generator. If we wanted to see what ChatGPT would generate in response to prompts, we'd be there instead of mumsnet.

R1nt1nt1n · 19/12/2025 10:35

AstonUniversityPotholeDepartment · 19/12/2025 10:33

You didn't even have the integrity to acknowledge it wasn't your own work without being prompted!

This is a site and community for humans to discuss and exchange ideas. Post what you think, not a AI text generator. If we wanted to see what ChatGPT would generate in response to prompts, we'd be there instead of mumsnet.

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Of course it’s not my work that’s obvious, that would be an opinion- a selection of info from across the web is far more relevant.

Dollybantree · 19/12/2025 11:43

R1nt1nt1n · 19/12/2025 09:10

I think not

Lavazza and Nescafé differ significantly in their primary product types, flavor profiles, and approach to coffee, making direct quality comparisons subjective and dependent on the user's preference for instant versus ground/whole bean coffee
.
Core Product Differences

Lavazza: A traditional Italian coffee company focusing on ground coffee and whole beans for use in espresso machines, Moka pots, and drip coffee makers. Their expertise is in creating specific blends of Arabica and Robusta beans, sourced globally, to offer an authentic Italian espresso experience. They also produce their own pod system (A Modo Mio) and Nespresso-compatible pods.
Nescafé: Primarily known for pioneering and dominating the instant coffee market (e.g., Nescafé Original, Gold, Azera). They also offer proprietary capsule systems like Dolce Gusto and Nespresso, which provide consistency and convenience.

Quality and Flavor Profiles Feature LavazzaNescafé Primary Format Ground/whole beans, pods Instant coffee, pods Flavor Profile Focuses on classic, strong, rich Italian espresso flavors, often with bold and intense notes. Blends often feature specific regional bean characteristics (e.g., floral, chocolate, fruity). Varies widely by product line. Instant coffees can range from mild and weak to balanced and full-bodied (e.g., Azera). Capsule systems offer a variety of consistent, pre-defined profiles, including many non-coffee options (e.g., teas, cappuccinos). Strength Generally perceived as stronger and hotter in capsule comparisons due to more coffee content per pod (7.5g vs. Nespresso's 5g). Offers a broad range of intensity ratings; instant coffee can sometimes be perceived as weaker or having a "classic instant coffee" taste, though some lines are highly rated. Quality Perception Considered a reputable, quality Italian coffee brand with a focus on traditional coffee expertise. Quality can be superior with proper brewing technique. Quality is heavily dependent on the specific product line. Nespresso is praised for consistency, while some instant lines receive lower ratings. Summary

If seeking traditional, authentic espresso from beans or ground coffee, Lavazza generally offers a more robust, classic Italian experience.
If seeking convenience, variety in drink types, or a quick cup of instant coffee, Nescafé provides a wider range of options, though quality varies significantly across its product lines.

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Oh my Lord 🤣

Crikeyalmighty · 19/12/2025 11:53

thebabessavedme · 19/12/2025 09:48

I'm a spender but I'm finding the older I get the more cross I feel about being ripped off. Its a rare meal out now that I think 'that was wonderful and worth every penny', most places seem to be very expensive for something I can make at home and do it better. I can buy a bottle of very drinkable wine for the same price as a large glass in a pub, now, I love going to the pub and enjoy the social side of life but I'm no longer insensible to the cost of even a small 'treat'.
I've noticed that our friends are sort of going back to the 'dinner party' of years ago, still sociable but a great deal cheaper, still a lot of fun, ( and even later nights!)

As to clothes, don't get me started, so much over priced, badly made tat out there I'm not even budgeting, just not buying.

I also hate the way coffee chains are all over the high street, If I do have a cup of tea out I like an independent with a nice piece of homemade cake, so much nicer.

I do agree with this - I admit I do get coffees , not everyday, but I sit in and check emails/ mumsnet etc , meals though I definitely have a lot less, do have the odd breakfast/brunch stuff but meals out at night -way less, tend to save for special dates and holidays - stopped takeaways, and Friday night date night tend to get a large glass of something decent and pick up a bottle on way home along with some fresh sushi and fresh soup

Fupoffyagrasshole · 19/12/2025 11:55

na couldn’t be bothered to waste money on a hot drink

i keep my cash for an evening out/cinema/ drinks / tickets to things/ a babysitter

the less little treats i spend money on the quicker i have money to do bigger worth while things

winterbluess · 19/12/2025 11:59

I think i know what you mean. For example people that can afford to heat their homes but "would never put the heating on before november!" Even though it's freezing cold. I find is so strange

spottybaghottyhag · 19/12/2025 13:38

Fupoffyagrasshole · 19/12/2025 11:55

na couldn’t be bothered to waste money on a hot drink

i keep my cash for an evening out/cinema/ drinks / tickets to things/ a babysitter

the less little treats i spend money on the quicker i have money to do bigger worth while things

the less little treats I spend money on the quicker I have money..

From my debt relief job, this is where do many go wrong. They do not see this at all, everything is "but it's only a fiver!" but those fivers quickly amount and you don't feel it. We have little interest the way of delayed gratification, so everyone feels they deserve what they want when they want it.

taxguru · 19/12/2025 15:38

Redragtoabull · 19/12/2025 01:13

I get an absolute kick out of budgeting as a single parent for many, many years, I had no choice back then. My spreadsheet saved me and takes a couple of minutes every few days to update. I'm now on a 6 figure salary and still have my incoming / outgoing spreadsheet with pay dates and every important calendar date. I have many friends and family who call or message me before buying, especially bigger purchases, as I will find loop holes, codes etc. In 2025 I estimate that I have personally saved around £12k (no spreadsheet for this, I'm not that sad ... 🤔) This is on holidays, travel, weekly shop, appliance purchases, gifts etc. If I 'have' to pay full price for most things, I feel purse-onally violated. It's not for everyone but I love my spreadsheet 🤗

I've found my tribe! I do the same, and, yes, have saved thousands this year alone, not just searching out discounts/deals etc., but also selling a couple of thousand pounds of stuff on Facebook and Marketplace - stuff that's been sat in cupboards/loft that I could so easily have taken to the tip or a charity shop or just left to rot. It's years (actually decades) since I "needed" to budget, but it just becomes a way of life, and like you say, it takes me just a few minutes to update my "book-keeping" (I use book-keeping software rather than spreadsheets!!).

taxguru · 19/12/2025 15:41

spottybaghottyhag · 19/12/2025 13:38

the less little treats I spend money on the quicker I have money..

From my debt relief job, this is where do many go wrong. They do not see this at all, everything is "but it's only a fiver!" but those fivers quickly amount and you don't feel it. We have little interest the way of delayed gratification, so everyone feels they deserve what they want when they want it.

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It's the old saying "Look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves". It's the mindset that matters, which you get from be careful with money, whether small nor large amounts. You just get into the habit of shopping around, thinking about spending, thinking whether you'd derive genuine value from spending/buying something, etc.

I know so many people who can't be bothered shopping around even on easy comparison sites for car insurance, utilities, phone/broadband/TV, etc., so end up tens/hundreds of pounds too much every month which soon adds up to thousands per year. I just can't fathom why people simply can't be bothered. And yes, it's usually the ones who constantly complain about having no money - not surprising really when the freely waste it!

Crumptes · 19/12/2025 16:40

Time is money though. My very frugal parents frittered less money than I do because they only ever bought food on BOGOF, shopped at several different supermarkets and made packed lunches for every occasion. But my mum didn't work, which is arguably a much greater frivolity than paying for a coffee rather than organising a flask before you go out for the day. Not that coffees are something I buy other than when meeting friends, but I do make choices in life to spend money to make things easier because I'm not able to do the job I enjoy if I cut my hours. Overall, I'm better off working and wasting a bit of money than not working and using that time to save it.

Bluedenimdoglover · 19/12/2025 17:54

Your money - your choice. My money - my choice

AzureFinch · 21/12/2025 06:30

My freind's husband tracks every purchase they make on a spreadsheet and it's boarderline financial abuse to the point she has to hide getting the kids an icecream in holiday because "it wasn't in the budget".

ThatsCute · 22/12/2025 07:45

£13.70 a day on things you “don’t need” is £5000 per year. People are free to make these trade offs to reach big goals—house deposit, car, holiday, etc. It’s not my job to judge them.

IDontHateRainbows · 23/12/2025 08:04

Crumptes · 19/12/2025 16:40

Time is money though. My very frugal parents frittered less money than I do because they only ever bought food on BOGOF, shopped at several different supermarkets and made packed lunches for every occasion. But my mum didn't work, which is arguably a much greater frivolity than paying for a coffee rather than organising a flask before you go out for the day. Not that coffees are something I buy other than when meeting friends, but I do make choices in life to spend money to make things easier because I'm not able to do the job I enjoy if I cut my hours. Overall, I'm better off working and wasting a bit of money than not working and using that time to save it.

Absolutely. Income generation> Saving although there is room for both.

SoulSearchBeHonest · 23/12/2025 08:08

DisappointingAvocado · 18/12/2025 11:24

You do you OP, I'll do me. I enjoy keeping a budget and we're a pretty high income high savings household. A couple of years ago we made a conscious decision to cut back on frivolous local spending so that we could increase our holiday budget, and it's been great. We've had some fabulous trips with the kids that we'll remember for a lifetime. When I realised we were spending a couple of hundred pounds a month on coffees/lunches/takeaways it made me question whether that was really what we wanted to spend it on, and we decided it wasn't. It's never been a question of whether we could afford it, but about how to get the most enjoyment and value out of our money. The only way to make this change was to track spending. This had had the knock on effect of me being able to plan finances throughout the year, as I know where the natural peaks and troughs are.
For what it's worth, I would never want my budgeting to affect us socially, so I'd never turn down the invite to meet a friend for coffee or a drink out and I don't discuss my budgeting habits with others.

This.

I prefer to spend money on other things than say takeaway coffee. My choice. Others spend differently. Some will spend differently and mean they are stretched financially.... 🙄