Do you go out everyday?

[incognito1991]

I Have a 2 year old and work only two days per week. The rest of the days I just can’t seem to stay home, when DH is off we will stay in one day and I will do deep cleans, besides that I can’t sit home all day. I will take DD to playgroups/park usually have a look in a shop or supermarket, go to see my family etc. Many times I tell myself I will stay home tomorrow and always find an excuse to go out. I feel I’m wasting money unnecessarily due to this, is anyone else like this or is it just me?

Answered just above, forgot to tag you :)

I don’t have young kids or kids. I love staying home and enjoying my mortgage haha. I am crafty and have a lot of hobbies and often will spend time with husband doing a project. I include sitting in the garden with a book, puzzle, or a crafty activity as a part of this. I do get out for a walk around the block or to the park but I don’t really class this as ‘out’. I’m not always booked up is what I take this to mean. I know some people may find this boring but I chat to people all day for work and travel loads for work. Proud homebody!

Those who don’t go out regularly -how do you build physical movement/exercise into your days? Do you not think about how many steps you’ve done/what you’ve done to get your heart rate up/how you’ve stretched yourself physically? Or do you build this into your ‘staying at home’ routine, or save it for your going out days?

I go out once or twice a week on average. I can’t afford to go out anymore then that.

Exactly.

There's no moral superiority to staying in - trips out are important for socialisation and exercise and all sorts of incidental learning. However there's no need to spend much in most places, especially if the weather is not too terrible. Walks and playgrounds and basic church hall playgroups are all ideal if you can do those things where you live.

I feel I’m wasting money unnecessarily what are the costs? If you find the right places you can often go out but not spend anything.

Yes. I go out yet much every day. I especially did this when I had a small child but it's also just a normal feature of my life. Every now and again I might have a day when I don't for out. This would be noteworthy, thougg, I'd likely be ill or the weather very bad

I do leave the house most days, but have the occasional day where dh walks the dogs and I'm WFH where the day just flies and I haven't gone out. We have a home gym and on those days I'll generally do a pretty long stationery bike ride or a run on the treadmill. In addition, if I have breaks between meetings and calls I'll often jump on the treadmill for a quick 20-30 mins brisk walk with a weighted vest. Weirdly, I often seem to rack up more footsteps/burn more calories on those days than the days where I'm out all day or the ones where I do reformer pilates or strength.

@incognito1991 When my DCs were little we were out all the time. I think we would have lost our minds if not. We spent lots of time in parks, doing music groups, swimming, having playdates, picnics, museums. My best friend's DCs are roughly the same age, so we'd take them all out with scooters, bikes, roller blades and just run them around. I often pass by Jaego's House and feel envious it wasn't around then!

I don't know which way to vote, as we would go out of the house every day so that neither I, nor the dc would go stir crazy, so YANBU to do that. BUT going out the house doesn't = 'spending money' as far as I am concerned.

The first reply has it spot on. There are lots of things you can do with a two yr old that don't mean you need to spend money. Also, things you would be spending money on anyway - like taking them to the supermarket - occupy a 2 yr old for quite a while as well as teaching them all sorts of skills and language .

I had a full-on job for 35 years. We all left the house early and had lots of evening activities. I now work from home with some flexibility and love the peace and quiet. We live in the middle of nowhere but the children and their partners and gc visit frequently. There’s someone here nearly every day and we can relax outside at this time of the year as we have no neighbours within half a mile. I can stay at home easily for a whole week.

Dont you do free stuff?
Rhyme time at a local library, a walk in a woodland, local playgrounds, feed the ducks, popping to a friends house for a cup of tea

Or very cheap stuff - church hall playgroups, cheap/kids go free sessions at local pools?

I can stay in for 2 or 3 days easily most weeks.

Agree it’s not for everyone but it would stress me out now to have to leave the house every day, especially in winter.

I have a history of depression and anxiety which probably plays a part in how I feel but I’m content enough and wouldn’t want it any differently to be honest.

I do weights, yoga and Pilates at home so I still keep very fit.

Sometimes when I am out I feel almost desperate to get back to my own space!

I can't push my manual wheelchair more than a few meters and I was denied funding for a power chair. Since my OH died a couple of years ago there isn't anyone to take me out most days now.

I visit family every Sunday as they can pick me up and bring me home but outside of that I only really get to go out when someone has a day off work.

I can go days without leaving the house. It’s my haven. And most of the time if I go out money is being spent and I can’t afford that. I have to drive to the nearest park and that’s too much fuss to do every day. I do sit outside a bit most days which is enough for me.

I can honestly say it has never occurred to me at the end of the day to wonder how many steps I’ve done or how I’ve got my heart rate up?!

No, not every day. I love having a day at home playing in the garden amd baking etc. Despite travelling and living in different countries in my 20's, I'm now quite homely.

I love a day in the house. I do it regularly. I work 12 hrs a day though so I like being home

Yes most days even if it’s just a quick walk. I find it harder being home with them to be honest.

I’m glad it’s not just me, I really was starting to think it wasn’t normal, I have neighbours either side of me with children the same age and they both only seem to go out 1/2 times per week even in summer. My DD loves going out and always asks to, I tend to waste money as wherever we go I always stop to the retail parks on the way there or home and just buy things unnecessarily and then once we’re at soft play or wherever coffee, lunch etc all adds up, I don’t mind as such as I’m fortunate enough to get all this time with my DD in the week so I’ll always cherish that I got to do these things with her I just feel like I could be saving more with limiting my spending, I’d say I’m spending around 100-120 per week at the minute but that does include petrol too.

If you receive the enhanced rate for mobility on PIP, you could look into getting a powered chair, if you think that you would benefit from that.

OP it's great to get out and good for your child too, but it sounds like you're worried about the spending. Maybe for a month make a conscious effort to really cut back. Take a coffee out with you, and snacks etc if necessary. Try to go to places that don't charge in. And force yourself to drive on past the shops rather than needlessly buy things. Also maybe just bring a small amount of cash and leave cards at home so that you're not tempted to spend more.

I think most people, particularly with children leave the house every day. That’s hardly abnormal. But having to go to a retail park on the way most of the time is quite excessive.

If you have the space in your budget to allow for £200 a week on coffee and impulse spending then I guess crack on, but if you don’t have savings or own a home it’s a crazy amount to spend.

There are definitely cheap/free things you can do if you’re worried about the money you’re spending. It definitely does add up. Coffees, entry fees, snacks, lunch, ice creams, gift shops…and most places massively overcharge. Have you tried visiting different parks, walks in the woods, picnics etc?

I'm aware but I wouldn't be able to afford my rent if I did that as you have to give up some of the money. I'd also need several thousand for building work to change the entryway as I wouldn't be able to fold the chair to get it around a corner and up a step like I can with the manual.

I looked into moving but I can't find anywhere less expensive (I've been here over a decade and rent didn't go up much) and I'd be reluctant to move anyway as this is the home I shared with my late OH and I'm not ready to give up that connection yet.

I am a sahm to a 4 and 2 year old, we dont go out everyday. We have some days just pottering at home, playing in the garden, I catch up on housework and once they get started they can play independently quite well. I also dont drive so going out involves planning around bus times and takes a lot longer than by car. We do go out of course but can't just be nipping all over the place for quick outings.

Pre kids I loved days at home just chilling doing my hobbies, playing games and watching tv - it's not so relaxing now though!