What percent of your spending is recreation?
- Thread starter NathanBB
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I'm not really into shopping because I hate shopping and only venture to the shops when I really have to. Also I'm too tight and just filling my house with consumer tat is just idiotic. However, years ago a wise sage advised me not to by stuff, but spend money on experiences. I was probably already doing this anyway. Travel is a big expenditure, but I make sure I get out and socialise too. I combine exercise on my bike with visits to pubs or meals out. Tomorrow I will be cycling 12 mile round trip to visit country pub not too far from Severn Bridge for couple of pints of cider and a lunch. Most Sundays I cycle across The Downs for a pub roast. Also one or two nights out in pub and occasional full English out somewhere, maybe a 'Spoons. Don't spend loads each visit, but little and often. Would go off my chump staying in all the time wondering what $$h!te to buy next or what to watch on tv. Lockdowns were a killer.
Who was it that said "I spent some of my money on birds and booze, the rest I wasted." Someone like James Hunt?
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George Best.
I've just had the proceeds of a house sale. (That one bought unexpectedly, if anyone remembers. Did OK.)
Wife asks what we're going to do with it. Not a clue.
New car? We do bugger all miles .
Holiday? Been everywhere I can be ahsed to go.
I don't go out drinking have not done so for many years, apart from having a drink with a meal, which I aim to do at least once per week. I enjoy a single glass of wine with a meal at home, so I make my own wine every few months, 30L at a time. I've not visited the cinema for 30 years and only then, to take kids. I do enjoy watching a good film, but good films come along rarely and the TV serves more than adequately for those.
I have never felt the need for 'retail therapy', I am quite happy buying from the charity shops - not because I need to, just because it helps the charities and I don't like to see waste. I carefully avoid any clothes with makers names emblazoned on them on principle - I expect to be paid to advertise for them.
I've never been one generally for just deciding to buy something on the spot, rather I will usually do the research and look for the best price. Often I will decide to drop the idea, or talk myself out of it, before getting to the committing to purchase stage.
I keep a car and a tourer caravan, which I cannot strictly classify as being essential, as I have a bus pass and an extremely good service quite close to home.
I eat/heat well, and so far have made no concessions towards economising. I did spend a bit a few years ago, towards reducing my energy consumption, without reducing comfort, by way of investment. I would like to add solar, but cannot justify it on cost / payback time grounds.
I think debt and interest can be one of the worst possible problems, something I have been wary of all of my life and paying interest can cause a life misery. All that is needed is to be a few pounds ahead of your spending, by waiting and delaying spend.
Everyone's ideas of what they class as essential, will vary and even then it varies as time goes on. No one 20 years ago would have described broadband as an essential, but no it is almost and essential service.
Sounds like my brother. He tends to let all the media propaganda and scare stories get to him. Recently taken to moaning about energy prices and turning off anything and everything whether it has standby or not. Completely oblivious to the hot tub sitting on his patio that keeps a thousand (??) gallons of water at a contant temp 24/7.
He's got zero fricking sense, which explains why he is employed by the local council.
Sounds like my brother. He tends to let all the media propaganda and scare stories get to him. Recently taken to moaning about energy prices and turning off anything and everything whether it has standby or not. Completely oblivious to the hot tub sitting on his patio that keeps a thousand (??) gallons of water at a contant temp 24/7.
He's got zero fricking sense, which explains why he is employed by the local council.
Who sounds like your brother? If anything, since all the scare stories, my unnecessary spend generally has increased.
Meaning everyone's idea of what is essential will vary. Brother would sit in cold house and turn all electricals off, while burning through power for a hot tub outside that's maintaining temp 24/7 but little used.
Yep, to save spend on energy, you need to start by assessing where your energy is going.
I have to admit I used to think if I won big on Lotto that I'd still want/need something to do e.g. open a business or something.
I no longer think that way
I'd be quite happy chilling for the rest of my days if I had enough to retire on now.
I no longer think that way
I'd be quite happy chilling for the rest of my days if I had enough to retire on now.
More likely to be a thousand litres.Sounds like my brother. He tends to let all the media propaganda and scare stories get to him. Recently taken to moaning about energy prices and turning off anything and everything whether it has standby or not. Completely oblivious to the hot tub sitting on his patio that keeps a thousand (??) gallons of water at a contant temp 24/7.
He's got zero fricking sense, which explains why he is employed by the local council.
If it's a 'modern' tub it may be double insulated which, once the desired temperature is reached, it will retain the heat far longer than a standard tub, (and assuming he keeps the cover on when not in use). This means his heater may only kick in for 1/4 to 1/2 an hour a day to keep the heat steady.
