Please help me be ok with buying nice things

[Weezol]

I will happily save up and research things like fridges, tech, ovens and always buy the best I can afford. Same with things like good quality tea, cleaning products - I have learned the hard way that buying cheap means buying twice.

My problem is that I struggle to apply the same logic to clothes. I have been living on a very tight budget for years (disability benefits) and have just had a significant chunk of back pay fron the DWP. I can afford to treat myself to some good stuff for once.

I would like to buy these:

www.celticandco.com/sheepskin-boots/womens-sheepskin-boots/colour-shortie-boots-31

I know they are a good investment, I can easily afford them and they will save me money in the long run (searched the S&B threads and found lots of people saying this). I love the fact they are made in the UK.

I still can't seem to click 'add to basket'. Three days and counting. I'd also like some proper Birkenstocks, same problem.

How do I allow myself nice things? I can't ask anyone in RL as I'm known to be practical and decisive generally and I don't want to admit that I can't buy a pair of slippers!

i often feel the same and will spend money on anyone but myself, only letting myself buy cheap things for my own use. I have got better about it recently though, telling myself that i AM worth it, that I DO have value and i DESERVE nice things. If other people are worthy of them, why aren't I? It's not 100% effective, i still hesitate but you ARE WORTH IT, YOU ARE DESERVING AND YOU HAVE AS MUCH VALUE AS ANYONE ELSE

What OneNight said. Go for it OP

Same here. I live in Primark £2.50 tops and leggings, even for work because I don’t have to be smart. I’ve recently lost 3.5stone, nothing fits, a lot of stuff is tatty and I still can’t bring myself to spend money on clothes for me. I have one pair of jeans, 2 pairs of leggings, two skirts and a pair of black smart(ish) trousers. Well, they would have been smart 18 years ago when they were new. And they are 2 sizes too big. It’s like some weird mental block and it’s really getting silly.

Do it! I'm in an ok position financially and am always buying 'bargains' for myself - I really struggle to spend money on m self and it takes DH to make me do it! Definitely treat yourself - it'll make you feel lovely to wear something nice and as you say they'll last you a long time.

DH and I have this problem. He will pay for a lot of my things because I just can't bring myself to. He has the same issue and I will pay for his clothes.

There's no pockets in a shroud. I am going to try this on on DH soon because I want us to go on a very expensive holiday. (Train ride through the Rocky Mountains in an ensuite cabin).

Life is so short. If you can afford to make your life a little more luxurious, then do it.

Those are gorgeous, OP. A real classic and you will use them so much.

Buy the boots and the Birkenstocks, you've had some (unexpected?) money given to you that you deserve, give yourself a much deserved treat and enjoy them, you will kick yourself if you don't and then spend the money on xxx amount of cheap stuff you won't enjoy!

I’m a bit the same - I do buy for myself but will bargain hunt in charity shops / TK Maxx / ebay and never buy anything full price. This approach has led to some real bargains but also I’ve wasted money on “bargains” I never ended up wearing.

Spending more doesn’t always equal better quality - I went through a phase of spending more and treated myself to some Whistles clothes and none of them lasted well.

However re Celtic Sheepskin I bought DH their slippers 5/6 years ago and they still look like new and he loves them.
Also re Birkenstocks I’ve had them in the past and found them super comfy so again worth the investment.

Do it OP. You sound like you have scrimped and saved for years. Buy both and come back and show us pics of you wearing them. We are all cheering for you

Could you think of it as 'cost per wear'? That way it doesn't matter if they are more expensive because you can still see that they're better value than buying something cheap that won't last nearly as long.

This approach might work even if you don't believe you deserve nice things (which of course you do!)

Thank you all so much for your replies, the good advice and helping me feel much less weird by letting me know that I'm not alone in having difficulty with this.

I'm going to re-read this thread tomorrow afternoon with the Celtics page on another tab. I will update you if when I place the order.

Buying nice things is something you deserve, and it makes sense too because quality things will last better. But from a philanthropic point of view it's also good, because you are funding people making nice, long-lasting items, which is better for the environment, and by paying more you're paying for people to have jobs making quality products.

I love nice things but I often buy on ebay instead of new –I feel less guilty about spending, and also the things are getting re-used and having a longer life.

I still remember the very first "expensive" thing I bought, a Ted Baker waterfall cardigan with a silk print back. I have worn it so so much and always get complimented on it so cost per wear has been completely worth it (it's now 7 years old and still looks as good as new).

I find it much easier to spend money on decent footwear as I cannot bear to have sore or cold feet. I personally didn't get on with celtic footwear as they weren't right for my feet but I have a few other items from there which are utter heaven.

Treat yourself please.

I have placed the order. Thank you all so much.

For all those like me, if I can do it, you can too!

I will need a brew and and a breather before I go for the Birkenstocks though.

just make sure you can return them. Some arsehole has been dicking about with shoe sizing and my unchanged feet have gone up a size, so things you expect to fit don't. Online shoe buying will mean a lot of parcel returning.

and the more expensive the brand, the worse it is.

Do it. The whole point of these benefits (I'm assuming it's pip?) is to make your life easier with a disability.
I use mine for decent quality footwear because things like birks keep my feet better positioned rather than cheap, crappy copies. Decent boots also create more stability, when my feet swell a decent leather/suede is far more accommodating than cheap synthetics.

It's what the money is there for if it's pip. I've had to buy a selection of decent running shoes, not for running in but when my plantar fasciitis is playing up they really do help.

Buy them, they'll enhance your life.

Oh I do this! Only buy stuff if it is cheap or on sale. So I end up getting something that is not exactly what I wanted and don't even like it that much.