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AIBU?

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Original poster

How much "mad money" do you have?

185 replies

DecemberGoneWild · 19/12/2025 13:38

Assuming that you are comfortable-ish. I know there are plenty of people who dont have anything. This is for people who are fortunate enough to have some.

By "mad money" I mean "pocket money" or "selfish money" ie money that is set aside for you to blow on whatever you like and doesn't have to be accounted for.

And what do you spend it on?

I get £400 a month. It's meant for haurcits, clothes, nights out etc but I currently fritter it away on crap and then have no money to buy things I need (I need new trainers but spent it all so am currently wearing trainers that are worn and give me blisters).

Sadly I also ran up £3000 on my credit card (mostly non-essentials) so most of my £400 going forward will have to go towards paying that off next year. So I'll still be (relatively) broke!

OP posts:
jannier · 19/12/2025 21:52

DecemberGoneWild · 19/12/2025 21:25

Shoving a top on a cc because it's pretty or getting a take away delivered c/o the cc because I cant be bothered to cook does not make me an addict.

I just need to be more conscious of what I am spending. It's a "oh I fancy a coffee" or "I cant be bothered" rather than "I need a buzz" eg buying lunches instead of bringing my own. I dont like going to the supermarket, I dont enjoy it so Im not getting a high from spending there.

I've been spending about £650 a month. A scary amount of that is on crap food eg buying work lumches take up aboit half my budget. Add in a £40 weekly Uber delivery and that leaves me with £40ish of my original £400 budget without anything else.

Add a hair cut (£50), a required replacement work bag (£70), concert tickets (£60), tea with friends (£30), a pair of required winter boots (£80), new shampoo/deodorant etc and a taxi ride and that's the extra £250 each momth of the banks money.

Obviously it's excessive because I've got into debt but it's not actually excessive dopamime chasing if you see what I mean? I'm not running into TK Maxx every day looking to buy anything I can.

Show quote history

I think someone has tried to tell you its a problem so your here for reassurance. Your list of excesses doesnt help

Hdpr · 19/12/2025 22:05

£500 a month each here, rest is joint

Original poster
DecemberGoneWild · 19/12/2025 22:07

jannier · 19/12/2025 21:52

I think someone has tried to tell you its a problem so your here for reassurance. Your list of excesses doesnt help

Show quote history

You what?

Actually, never mind. I dont care.

I asked what people spend their spare money on out of nosiness and clarified at the outset that I wont have much going forward and now Im somehow being accussed of being a shopping addict because I'm lazy and buy a meal deal at work everyday instead of making my own sandwiches? OK then.

I am very comfortable that I am addressing the short term debt that has never been of any concern and will be gone by this time next year.

OP posts:
HorsesDuvets · 19/12/2025 22:12

DecemberGoneWild · 19/12/2025 21:25

Shoving a top on a cc because it's pretty or getting a take away delivered c/o the cc because I cant be bothered to cook does not make me an addict.

I just need to be more conscious of what I am spending. It's a "oh I fancy a coffee" or "I cant be bothered" rather than "I need a buzz" eg buying lunches instead of bringing my own. I dont like going to the supermarket, I dont enjoy it so Im not getting a high from spending there.

I've been spending about £650 a month. A scary amount of that is on crap food eg buying work lumches take up aboit half my budget. Add in a £40 weekly Uber delivery and that leaves me with £40ish of my original £400 budget without anything else.

Add a hair cut (£50), a required replacement work bag (£70), concert tickets (£60), tea with friends (£30), a pair of required winter boots (£80), new shampoo/deodorant etc and a taxi ride and that's the extra £250 each momth of the banks money.

Obviously it's excessive because I've got into debt but it's not actually excessive dopamime chasing if you see what I mean? I'm not running into TK Maxx every day looking to buy anything I can.

Show quote history

I'm sorry but that's just stupid.

You're spending money you can't afford on crap such as "coffees", lunches because you can't be bothered and £40 Uber food deliveries, and it has to go on credit cards?

You need your head looking at. "Mad money" indeed...

RosesAndHellebores · 19/12/2025 22:49

@DecemberGoneWild I don't like going to the supermarket or making my lunch either. But I meal plan to avoid burning through £40 uber deliveries. Sainsbury and Tesco deliver for £4 if you book in advance.

MsVisual · 19/12/2025 22:51

I generally have £5k - £10k spare each month. Mostly spend it on wine, art and going out for dinner.

Backtorealityerr · 19/12/2025 23:04

HNRTFT but I used to have about £800/a month for fun money but am now redundant 🤦‍♀️Not sure what I am going to do for money. Cannot face working in NHS or Carehomes . The feedback from ex colleagues have been bloody shocking,robots expecting residents being neglected,
Care staff being timed to check they don’t spend too much time with a resident,nurses not allowed any interaction with their patients.

If an emergency resident staff not allowed to intervene …wait for crisis team .
Beyond my comprehension and professional responsibilities.
Am looking at certain corporate homes B and H springs to mind.!

xmasstress12 · 19/12/2025 23:13

It's sad how this place always turns into a lecture instead of a chat between women.

Particularly when money is involved, it’s so boring.

Anyway OP mine is around £400 but I struggle to stretch that to purchases and socialising now.

xmasstress12 · 19/12/2025 23:18

I miss the days years ago when I swanned around Soho on lunch eating wonderful meals. Now I’m like a student having soup & jackets! Food is just so expensive, our grocery bill is where my spare money goes!

OllysArmyRidesAgain · 20/12/2025 08:00

Currently from my salary around £1200 pm to spend as I want after household bills, in the last year I have used it for a long haul holiday, home improvement, WLI and then new smaller clothes. I am planning on retiring this summer and then my fun money ‘goes’ as my pension covers the bills only.

However, I have planned for my retirement, and have a reasonable savings pot, just need the government not to tank the economy completely.

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