Comments on: Feeling Guilty to Spend Money on Anything

By: Witty Artist

Witty Artist — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 09:06:35 +0000

It’s good and healthy to save money. But when this leads to the extreme of feeling guilty when buying something you wish for, well, that’s stupid in my opinion. Of course we would all like to retire as early as we can; but that doesn’t mean we should turn into robots, without enjoying life. A little flexibility is more than welcomed in everyone’s life – not splurging, nor scrooging – just living life as it comes and as we shape it.

By: HS

HS — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 15:52:07 +0000

I have been in this rut too far too long (saving, saving, not spending even though my circumstances did not demand it and I have amassed decent spending – and in fact, need some clothes and general personal maintenance like a decent car as I run my own consulting business and need to look good to clients) to the point where my husband informed me that I looked horrible. To save my marriage from sliding, I forced myself to go out and spend about four hundred dollars on a few selected high quality items… wow, finally having jeans that fit was a revelation (by the way I felt terrible about how much I spent and literally racked myself over it for weeks and weeks) – and now I realize that gosh, it’s good to spend on oneself strategically, plus high quality purchases last a lot longer and look better and are way more functional, thus enabling one to cut down on clutter… but yes, it has been a huge upward battle to spend money on myself whereas I have no problem forking out for friends & family.

By: Ivy

Ivy — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 20:34:39 +0000

If you do anything at all purchase something nice to “go out in”. Going out is not something most of us do daily. It is a start. Split your closet, with one side 1) Nice and 2)Everyday. Saves time when your looking for what you need. Or just change your earings often. Less expensive and you feel great.

Good Luck

By: Emily

Emily — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 22:03:31 +0000

My husband told me that I needed to go out and buy myself some new clothes since most of mine are hand-me-downs and do flatter my figure at all. I’m feeling terrible because I know that the money he wants me to spend on myself could be going towards more important things like vacation, or something like that. I’m really terrible, because I’ll go out with my friends and family and have $100 to spend where $15 of that would go on a meal and the rest I would spend on them. I don’t know how to get out of this funk.

By: Jag

Jag — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 02:48:31 +0000

I felt the same and couldnt bare it anymore, out of desperation, I searched the net and stumbled upon this blog, thank you so much Ning, for posting this, I glad to know that I am not alone… Yes, budgeting for “play money” seems to be the best solution for the problem I face and also trying to take things easy..Not to fear the unknown future.

By: Jag

Jag — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 02:31:19 +0000

This is exactly where the problem lies: ” I’m happiest somewhere in between, e.g. good quality on sale for something I need. ” You buy something and enter into a loop thinking if you really need it, or if you need it; if it were really a bargain.. that is the problem….

By: nate

nate — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 21:01:11 +0000

@Emma

The fact that you have saved 92% of your income from the past six months is great, but what is it that you are saving for? I think your case is a little extreme if you are “hating yourself” for spending and eating less than you would want just to spend less. You are so young, please realize your money worries aren’t supposed to come until later. Try this: set a budget. realistically save somewhere from 25% to 50% of your allowance (if that’s what it is). Then you will KNOW you have 12.5 or 25 pounds per month to spend and you wont have to feel bad about it. 50% is a phenomenal savings rate by anyone’s standards. good job thinking about money so young but try not to be so worried about it…. good luck.

By: Emma

Emma — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 18:09:08 +0000

I have this problem and i am only 13. I get £50 a month and for the past sixth month i have saved up £275. But everyday i think about that £25 i spend over the last 6 months. sometimes i hate myself for it. Once i bought a pair of shoes and i felt so guilty about it i returned them for the money. I need someone to tell me what to do about this becuase my lunch every weekend costs £3.45 and i stopped eating as much so it only cost me a pound. help..

By: Stacey Grindal

Stacey Grindal — Thu, 29 May 2008 00:46:51 +0000

Well I can completely relate to wanting to save up to 505 of your weekly salary. I think to myself well I am here for 40 hours a week every week except Christmas. Public Holidays.I have gotten to the point where I have told myself to stop. In a few years I have managed to save a significant amount of money for my future an amount most can only hope for when they retire. To me it is never enough. I feel gut wrenching guilt when I spend money on myself even for a trip to the salon. Now it has gotten to the point where I have nothing to wear literally as I have worn my expensive levis for so long they have a hole in it. Pretty much everything expensive has worn out at once and I have just reached my goal. I need these things. I am dressing like I am poor when it is the exact opposite. Its gotten to the point that I feel anxious and un deserving for something I have worked so hard for. So now I am trying to un do my harsh ways and get a healthy balance because this isn’t healthy. I don’t need to punish myself. The voice in my head is saying try harder don’t be so weak. So I am making myself fo these expensive purchases this weekend so I don’t have people pittying me. Ultimately it is my fault for letting it get to this extent. So to all those stresser you do deserve to have nice things for the amount of work you put in. If you have already put away enough for the year that you esitmated give yourself a break. Dont go without clohes. Enjoy life, live happy, if buying that nice dinner out will relieve a bit of the daily grind stress do it. Find a balance

By: MoneyNing

MoneyNing — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 17:08:56 +0000

Mrs Micah: I’m not sure if quality of life is the same as a happy life. I think a happy life is more important though…