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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think something isn’t a waste of money if you genuinely enjoy it?

64 replies

BreezyLemonShaker · 27/05/2026 17:23

I feel people label things as a “waste of money” quite quickly, but if you genuinely enjoy something and it adds value to your life, is it really a waste? Obviously this is within reason and assuming you’re not putting yourself under financial strain, but I do wonder whether enjoyment is undervalued when it comes to spending.

AIBU?

OP posts:
Flamingojune · 27/05/2026 18:08

Love eating and drinking out

NeedyLimeMember · 27/05/2026 18:13

YANBU - It depends what you value. And I also think pure enjoyment is undervalued by many. I went on holiday with family a few years ago and my husband spent around £200 to go spear fishing - it was a lot of money for him but I strongly encouraged him to go for it, as i knew it's something he'd really enjoy and would be a unique experience. Another family member, who had spent that much on a pair of designer sunglasses at the airport, thought he was mad and couldn't understand it at all.

Arlanymor · 27/05/2026 18:14

I shudder to think how much money I have spent over the years going to see Wales play rugby. I doubt that even a quarter of those were winning matches either! But it's about the camaraderie, meeting new people and a shared sense of culture. There's nothing like the Principality when everyone is singing their hearts out too - really spine-tingling in the best way. I guess people who don't like rugby would think it was a waste - but hey, they likely do stuff in their leisure time that I don't care about either. Different strokes for different folks, surely?

onpills4godsake · 27/05/2026 18:14

Unless you are asking for advice or borrowing from others it’s no one’s business what you spend your money on

i probably spend around £600 on gym / sport classes for me and my 2 daughters a month - not a waste of money, as it’s a priority

I buy fruit and veg at M&S and like a farm shop visit - not a waste of money

however, I would never buy something designer / couture and rarely go out out.

i see concerts as a waste (for me) but love a holiday - it’s all personal choice

Walker1178 · 27/05/2026 18:23

There’s a teenage girl on our local spotted site offering various styles of French plaits for £5. Some grown woman has actually commented that it’s a complete waste of money as you can watch a YouTube tutorial and do it yourself. Well yes you can, you could also watch one for how to change the brakes on your car but I think I’d rather pay someone else!

jsgahoencake · 27/05/2026 18:24

Walker1178 · 27/05/2026 18:23

There’s a teenage girl on our local spotted site offering various styles of French plaits for £5. Some grown woman has actually commented that it’s a complete waste of money as you can watch a YouTube tutorial and do it yourself. Well yes you can, you could also watch one for how to change the brakes on your car but I think I’d rather pay someone else!

It’s like when people say cleaners are a waste of money as you can clean yourself, completely misunderstanding the purpose of buying time. Same reason I always pay for a decorator, I have much more fun things to be doing than painting and they’ll do it better (and quicker) than me!

ThePeppyOpalScroller · 27/05/2026 18:28

Save all your money, you can always buy those nice things when you're dead.

Notsosweetcaroline · 27/05/2026 18:31

It’s weird, I see this too, plus an assumption everyone who can afford things must be in debt snd it’s paid by credit card. Some people think everyone is in the same financial situation as them, you see lots of how can they afford that stuff.

we like to go to a lot of concerts /gigs. I mean the big ones. Adele, Springsteen, capaldi etc. and we do a few a year, and we always get really good tickets. And we always get asked, by a couple pair of friends, how much did that cost then. Then a dialogue on how it’s a rip off. I always get the impression they are jealous, as they’d love to go, but won’t consider paying that sort of price. They could afford it. Then we get the dialogue on the cost of food and drink when there. I didn’t ask it’s not your money, so shut it.

we all recently went away for a long weekend, booked an air b n b. Went to the local supermarket. I put some lurpak in my trolley and got a dialogue about why would I waste money on a small pack of lurpak for 3 nights and have to leave most of it behind.

well because we like lurpak. And how much did your avalanche of wine cost.doris..

lastly clothes, I like nice clothes. I buy a lot on vinted, but also new, my clothes are clearly good quality and expensive. I get snide comments from one friend, about how they don’t need expensive clothing, with a look up and down. It’s like who asked you to buy some, there is no prizes in looking like a homeless dude. If I want to wear nice clothes I shall. I don’t ask for opinions, I don’t mention my clothes and don’t wish comments.

it annoys me in the moment. I’ve never ever looked at someone and thought how much did that cost, what a waste, it wouldn’t even occur to me to think about how someone else spends their money

JillThePlantKiller · 27/05/2026 18:35

Think of the grave goods you could decorate your pyramid with.

Felion · 27/05/2026 18:39

My dds go to a lovely sweet prep school where they look forward to going every day and as a parent I enjoy attending all the events they put on. So many unsolicited comments saying private education is a waste of money at that age, as if it needs to be measured as a financial return, or as if we're taking away other opportunities from them.

makemineadecaf · 27/05/2026 18:40

I’m one to say this admittedly but for the things like firework displays… round here it’s £40+ for a family of four to stand in a cold muddy field when you can catch some out your window. That to me is a waste of money!

Ibetthatyoulookgoodon · 27/05/2026 18:45

Whether something is value for money is completely subjective and I can’t imagine why anyone cares how other people spend their cash.

Familywhennc · 27/05/2026 18:51

Arlanymor · 27/05/2026 18:14

I shudder to think how much money I have spent over the years going to see Wales play rugby. I doubt that even a quarter of those were winning matches either! But it's about the camaraderie, meeting new people and a shared sense of culture. There's nothing like the Principality when everyone is singing their hearts out too - really spine-tingling in the best way. I guess people who don't like rugby would think it was a waste - but hey, they likely do stuff in their leisure time that I don't care about either. Different strokes for different folks, surely?

Agree, singing your heart out at the principality stadium is an absolutely fantastic experience 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

LaurieFairyCake · 27/05/2026 18:54

Nothing you enjoy is a waste of money as life is fucking literally for LIVING

toomuchfaff · 27/05/2026 19:51

What you'll find is its not the people who are enjoying the activity who are casting the judgement.

Another reason to not listen to a damn word other people say when it comes to your time, effort, energy, resource or money. You do you and tell them to keep their nose out.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 27/05/2026 20:53

My divorce lawyer actually said this, that in his experience there were possessions people and experiences people, and whilst neither was wrong it was often a recipe for trouble if they were married to one another!

MovedlikeHarlowinMonteCarlo · 27/05/2026 20:58

Notsosweetcaroline · 27/05/2026 18:31

It’s weird, I see this too, plus an assumption everyone who can afford things must be in debt snd it’s paid by credit card. Some people think everyone is in the same financial situation as them, you see lots of how can they afford that stuff.

we like to go to a lot of concerts /gigs. I mean the big ones. Adele, Springsteen, capaldi etc. and we do a few a year, and we always get really good tickets. And we always get asked, by a couple pair of friends, how much did that cost then. Then a dialogue on how it’s a rip off. I always get the impression they are jealous, as they’d love to go, but won’t consider paying that sort of price. They could afford it. Then we get the dialogue on the cost of food and drink when there. I didn’t ask it’s not your money, so shut it.

we all recently went away for a long weekend, booked an air b n b. Went to the local supermarket. I put some lurpak in my trolley and got a dialogue about why would I waste money on a small pack of lurpak for 3 nights and have to leave most of it behind.

well because we like lurpak. And how much did your avalanche of wine cost.doris..

lastly clothes, I like nice clothes. I buy a lot on vinted, but also new, my clothes are clearly good quality and expensive. I get snide comments from one friend, about how they don’t need expensive clothing, with a look up and down. It’s like who asked you to buy some, there is no prizes in looking like a homeless dude. If I want to wear nice clothes I shall. I don’t ask for opinions, I don’t mention my clothes and don’t wish comments.

it annoys me in the moment. I’ve never ever looked at someone and thought how much did that cost, what a waste, it wouldn’t even occur to me to think about how someone else spends their money

They are nasty comments to make to someone who's meant to be a friend. Do you like them because I'd be finding new mates?

jsgahoencake · 27/05/2026 21:14

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 27/05/2026 20:53

My divorce lawyer actually said this, that in his experience there were possessions people and experiences people, and whilst neither was wrong it was often a recipe for trouble if they were married to one another!

What if you yourself are both an experience and possessions kind of person…DH is as well for that matter 🙈🤣

Notsosweetcaroline · 27/05/2026 21:20

MovedlikeHarlowinMonteCarlo · 27/05/2026 20:58

They are nasty comments to make to someone who's meant to be a friend. Do you like them because I'd be finding new mates?

It’s difficult as we are a group, and yes normally they are fine, they are just weird about money, I’ve no idea why. Sometimes they spend prolifically then they go on these cut back moments and are weird and catty. Both of them,
.

notacooldad · 27/05/2026 21:22

I have just spent £5,000 on a second hand road bike and I bloody love it.

The number of people that have told me I am stupid and its a waste of money are the same ones that easy spend the same amount or more over the year on hair extensions, lip and cheek filler, bottomless brunches, shopping spree at Harvey Nicks on make up etc. They are happy with their spends and im happy with mine. At least I know I'll get a really good trade in price from the company I bought it from for my next one!

Squirrelchops1 · 27/05/2026 21:26

I'm shite at spending money, I'm a professional saver. However I decided to treat myself to a new car...a fancy one and on lease. Fuck it.

OMG...the absolute unadulterated joy i am getting from it. I look forward to the commute to work and rock up buzzing in the best mood! So a win on many counts.

Tinytwinle · 27/05/2026 21:37

If i want something i will get it end of.

Jc2001 · 27/05/2026 21:40

BreezyLemonShaker · 27/05/2026 17:23

I feel people label things as a “waste of money” quite quickly, but if you genuinely enjoy something and it adds value to your life, is it really a waste? Obviously this is within reason and assuming you’re not putting yourself under financial strain, but I do wonder whether enjoyment is undervalued when it comes to spending.

AIBU?

A lot of grown adults don't seem to be able to get their heads around the concept of other people getting enjoyment out of something they may not be interested in

If you like doing something and can afford it. It's worth it doesn't matter what it is.

IDontDrinkTea · 27/05/2026 21:44

I took my then two year old to Disneyland. I got a whole heap of comments from what felt like everyone about how it was a waste of money because she wouldn’t remember it. But I remember it, she had the best time ever as she was in the deep end of a Minnie Mouse obsession at the time, and for me it was money well spent to see how delighted she was

Hellometime · 27/05/2026 21:53

Walker1178 · 27/05/2026 18:23

There’s a teenage girl on our local spotted site offering various styles of French plaits for £5. Some grown woman has actually commented that it’s a complete waste of money as you can watch a YouTube tutorial and do it yourself. Well yes you can, you could also watch one for how to change the brakes on your car but I think I’d rather pay someone else!

She sounds very enterprising. A lady used to do hair at dance school for exams it was £5 or £10 but well worth it to me as I can’t french plait.