"Spending Money"

[JustSittinHereChillin]

Hi alllll!

Reading through a few of these posts and it got me wondering how much people have or allocate themselves as "spending money" for the month. Money that, like, hasn't got to be spent on a bill or an outgoing or a commitment or something like that.

I have £400 but then try to save half of it, unless it's a birthday month or Christmas for the DH or there's some sort of event.

It feels comfortable and not over the top (particularly when I look at what some people do who earn a lot less than me - hair, nails, eyebrows, trips abroad with the gals!) but then there are others who've commented on here who have made me wonder whether that's actually quite a lot.

I don’t have “spending money “

if I need ( or want ) something I will think about the value ( is it need or want ) and what the other expenses have been / check the bank account

I don’t have spending money just to spend - I suspect you spend a lot more that way

£500 for me, £500 for DH and a joint float of about £1,500 - but that does include sending for food and petrol, so probably closer to £800-£1,000 joint of true disposable monies. That’s after savings.

I have 200 per month and now try to save most of it. When I was young, I spent foolishly here and there to cheer myself up. As I've grown older and had kids, I don't feel the need to do it anymore bar some online lipstick or a pair of shoes once in 3 months. I'd rather save it now for a dark hour.

£500pm each. Covers hobbies, hair (every 6 weeks), nails, weekly drinks at the pub and also lunches/coffees at work. I definitely fritter from this pot (huge Vinted habit!) but I’m happy with the level as we are high earners, no kids and have £2k a month to put to joint savings (holidays, home improvements or longer term).

Averages £250 a month - includes expensive gym membership that I use every day, hair, a few coffees with friends, occasional theatre trip. Don't do nails etc. Hardly buying any clothes, which is annoying.

Any socialising with DH comes out of joint account. Am in a quiet, head down, phase of life, very focused on saving at the moment.

Based on the ONS figures we are in the top quintile for household disposable income, and we earn within £5K pa of each other so are pretty tax efficient.

I don't think there's a right or wrong way here. On the 1st of every month two standing orders go out, one to the joint account to cover my share of the bills/family expenses and one to my savings account. The rest stays in my current account for personal spends, whatever's left at the end of the month goes into savings. It's very rare I spend much though, if I want something I buy it, but I'm more of a saver than a spender tbh.

I feel like I have always done budgeting in reverse. When I am paid I move most of my money to savings, leaving around £300 in my current account. I spend that on all sorts. Not mortgage or bills, they go direct debit, but petrol, food, presents, travel etc. Every time it gets spent I move another £200. I think about every purchase before I spend, and check my account most days. So I have no idea what I have for spending money. Some months a lot, some hardly any.

does anybody just not budget for it or go with the flow with it?

not spending enough or feeling I could was a factor in my having a truly horrific breakdown.

I didnt see there was anythign wrong at all befroe ut I was pretty restricted - more by the 'culture' in our marriage that active prohibition

this sounds sensible to me and I bet you save more than most