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How much is the most you would pay?

(164 Posts)
trisher Sat 23-Feb-19 12:55:32

I've come to the conclusion that I set quite low limits compared with other people about how much I will pay for things. A friend and I were discussing theatre tickets, I find £50 about enough but wouldn't go past £100 which apparently means most London theatres now. I think £200 dresses are too much apart maybe for a one off occasion like a wedding and then I would have to be sure I loved it and couldn't find anything cheaper. Do you set limits on what you pay for things?

Telly Sun 24-Feb-19 10:50:28

I might pay 200 for a dress but only if it was for a special occasion. I did pay around the 100 mark for cruise dresses but most were reduced. I do like a bargain! I hate being ripped off, 9.50 for a normal size glass of wine is a lot, but not for a large. Local theatre is £25, London around the 100 mark I struggle with paying more than that.

Grammaretto Sun 24-Feb-19 10:48:54

Interesting to read the differing takes. What's commonplace to some is a once in a lifetime to others.
I like to balance the books. I hate being in debt. So what I really resent are bank fees for overdrafts and credit cards . Which reminds me I'm still paying for DDs wedding 5 years ago!
I expect to pay a lot for good shoes and a haircut is over £30 now.
Car expenses are probably the biggest regular outlay and council tax....

Theoddbird Sun 24-Feb-19 10:45:27

I remember a few years ago going to a ball. I bought a Monsoon silk evening dress on eBay for £34. New it would have cost £200. It is gorgeous and classic...I would still wear it with different accessories to give it a different look. I love eBay.. I never pay more than I have to for anything. I compare prices online a lot.

rocketstop Sun 24-Feb-19 10:42:32

I met work friends for a meal at an ordinary (not top end) Italian restaurant , near to home (Not in a big city) Everyone met in the bar area and were buying their drinks. I decided on a small glass of white wine 'What sort of white?' said the barman, so I just asked for small glass of sauvignon blanc.
It was £9.50 and it nearly spoiled my night because I let my mouth get the better of me and complained bitterly about the cost which made me look a skinflint on the night out. I could barely eat my meal because of it !!!

grannie62 Sun 24-Feb-19 10:29:57

I have spent my life unable to bring myself to spend money on eating out ( rarely buy even a cup of tea) or tickets to concerts. My upbringing was by very stingy parents.

Clothes nearly all come from charity shops because I only like very good quality, and have rarely been able to afford it.

Having said all this, the most memorable days in my life have been those when I actually went into expensive shops and spent a fortune on something to wear. Extravagant clothes make me feel really special.

Kim19 Sun 24-Feb-19 10:28:00

This is a very interesting topic for me. I've always wondered what it was in me that suddenly says 'enough' even though I could perhaps afford the item in question. I don't know what motivates the demarkation line in me but it certainly exists. Maybe I just don't want the item in question just 'that much'. Curious indeed. I was at a wedding on Friday and spent ages seeking out a warm but presentable outfit with no success whatsoever. Happily, the temperature was indulgent and I ended up in the dress I bought for my 25th anniversary 27 years ago finished off with my aged black fedora adorned with white ribbon. The compliments I received were unbelievable. What a fluke! I discovered from one of the younger guests that monochrome is absolutely top fashion at the moment. I didn't let on that I had no idea. Fashion? Moi? No! Lucky won the day.

NannyG123 Sun 24-Feb-19 10:25:00

I went into a cafe in London the other day, I asked for 2 cups of hot chocolate, when told it was £7. I said no thank you,and walked out.

marpau Sun 24-Feb-19 10:22:13

I like to watch pennies and splurge pounds. I recently had to replace my wardrobe due to weight loss bought most from eBay including a new Jaeger jacket for £30 and new cashmere sweater for £25.
I spend between ££1200 to £1800 for our 2 week holiday. I think experiences are better value than stuff as we have too much collected over the years.

inishowen Sun 24-Feb-19 10:03:54

I love charity shops and will happily go from one to the next, looking for quality clothes. My wardrobe only has good lables because of my thrifty shopping. I'm used to paying a few £ for a garment and get a shock when i go into the likes of M&S and the sweaters are £35 or more.

GabriellaG54 Sun 24-Feb-19 10:02:18

Wow! BlueBelle you must live up North because there is NO WAY you could buy cod and chips for that money down South.
There was a recent tv programme about the winners of the best fish and chip shops around the UK and none of their take out fish n chips were under £7.
Some were nearer £11 with no extras.
??

Fennel Sun 24-Feb-19 10:01:30

I don't spend much on clothes.
I have a winter coat which cost around £200 some time ago, but I only bought it because husband 'forced' me. He is a bigger spender than me.
OTOH he bought a beautiful overcoat for himself from ebay, for £60. 100% cashmere.

HurdyGurdy Sun 24-Feb-19 09:53:59

I get so irritated with my friend when she moans at the cost of coffee and cake, or meals out and how she could do it much cheaper at home.

I constantly remind her that she is not paying for the cost of the ingredients, she's paying for those PLUS the rent and rates on the property, the cups, saucers, plates, knives, forks and spoons that are used and have to be washed up, the staff wages, the cleaning of the property we are in, insurance costs, and numerous other costs that we are not aware of, as well as a bit of profit for the owners. (Disclaimer - all that said, I did feel royally ripped off at Kew Gardens yesterday when a tea, a coffee, a small muffin and a tiny individual cake cost £12.90. And although I didn't buy one, I was shocked that a single can of Pepsi was priced at £3.50.)

I will pay whatever it takes for something I really need/want/just like the look of. Obviously my income dictates the upper limits, but I'd never have a cut point and deny myself something special because it was over my limit.

We work hard for our money and once all the bill are paid, and our contributions are made to our savings pot each month, then the rest is for us to enjoy our lives.

As my auntie used to say - shrouds don't have pockets.

henetha Sun 24-Feb-19 09:49:34

My expenditure is strictly controlled by my income!
I simply couldn't spend £200 on a dress, etc.

Harris27 Sun 24-Feb-19 09:49:27

KatyK me too! I woke to rod Stewart tickets for Christmas amongst other lovely presents never seen him been life long fan think they were £100 each or round about that . I'm 59 and hubby and son said " do it". That's July excitement taken care of! Ironically a friend died younger than me and I thought yes I'm going. Think you'll agree I've done right thing. Im on a budget and usually say next year but it's this year!!!

GrammaH Sun 24-Feb-19 09:46:51

I agree about bought sandwiches, a complete rip off & I won't pay over the top prices for food in a "high end" supermarket when I can get the identical product much cheaper in one of the cheaper shops. I don't set a clothes limit, I buy what I like whatever it costs. I've recently discovered Dolly and Dotty where I bought 3 dresses in their sale for around £50 the lot. The quality is excellent, they fit perfectly & one is even fully lined! I've just ordered a dress from Bombshell's sale for £79 &, just before Christmas, I paid £170 for a very pretty dress I've already worn a lot. Shoes are the same - £6.99 to £125. As for London theatre tickets, we go once every 2 years or so and like to get good seats as it's a treat. Our local theatre's dearest tickets are around £70 for a professional company & £35 for an amateur company. I wanted to see the Eagles this year but frankly couldn't justify the very high ticket prices. It's all about one's priorities.

Lilyflower Sun 24-Feb-19 09:46:49

I am reluctant to spend any amount of money on anything. It isn't as though I haven't got it but I resent paying £3 for a cup of (invariably cold) coffee or £200 for a dress made of synthetics.

I eat out rarely and make my own bread and cakes. I buy top end food when it is yellow stickered and coffee and Champagne by the cartload when they are on offer only.

My DH was made redundant and we feared we would not be able to live within our means so we cut back fiercely and found we could cope easily with the new regime. Hunting bargains has become 'the game' for us.

We live a Rolls Royce life on Trabant means.

Coconut Sun 24-Feb-19 09:39:48

I’m very comfortable financially, but would never pay high prices for anything. Am a Sale and bargain shopper when and if I need to replace anything, and I’ve stopped buying “stuff” like I used to even if I didn’t need it. I want what cash I do have to pay for my dream destinations on my bucket list ! Martin Lewis recommended a great website for bargains “everything5pound.com” 600 pages a day of all sorts, basic staples etc and I’ve bought some lovely bits, coats, jumpers, boots etc Have had so many compliments and friends are amazed that I’d only spent £5 !!

Jane10 Sun 24-Feb-19 09:39:42

I'm a keen bargainer and I use all the discount vouchers I can. However, I sometimes shock myself with splurges on larger items if I really fancy them. That's not often though.

hicaz46 Sun 24-Feb-19 09:38:46

Oh dear Paddyann what a shame you missed Barbra Streisand. We managed to get some of the £125 tickets to see her and she was fabulous. My extravagance is eating out at good restaurants where I will happily pay £80-£90 for a meal, which is an ‘experience’. We do not however do that too frequently, maybe 3-4 times a year and it’s the sort of food I couldn’t cook at home. I do resent it if I could cook it myself at home so never eat at pub chains etc.

Luckygirl Sun 24-Feb-19 09:36:37

I am with Chewbacca - my limits are about the same as hers, maybe lower.

£200 for a dress!!!! shock

gillybob Sun 24-Feb-19 09:34:05

I paid around £80 for a padded coat in the Joules sale about 4 years ago . It seemed an awful lot of money at the time but it has seen me through 3 winters so far and will
no doubt see me through another 3 yet . I buy NEXT jeans for between £25-£30.
I couldn’t pay £100’s on a dress or outfit .

Niobe Sun 24-Feb-19 09:28:08

The most I have ever paid for trousers is £35 but often it's under £20. Coats around £100 but often less. I buy plain tee shirts from M&S and my last ones were£6 each. Knickers are usually from Asda or Sainsburys. My only extravagance is the amount I have spent on handbags. Mulberry are not cheap but the ones I have will see me out!

NotSpaghetti Sun 24-Feb-19 09:27:31

I don’t know which shows even in London are £100 plus - unless some opera or ballet seats?
I went to the ballet last autumn and think I paid about £35 a ticket?
My daughter (living in London) says there are some cheaper seats for both ballet and opera, depending on date etc.

NotSpaghetti Sun 24-Feb-19 09:22:15

I think we make choices mainly on the perceived pleasures of the purchase. I’m “happy” that, some years ago, we spent a bit extra to buy the kitchen tap I loved rather than a cheaper version with less satisfying proportions. Both would still be working I expect, but mine gives me a moment of joy every day.
Likewise, I have the most beautiful kettle! My children and husband think this is hilarious as I’ve had it for nearly a year and still comment on the design. I also have a charity shop mug (50p) which, I think is a stunner. It sits alongside an Emma Bridgewater mug (which was a gift) but which I’ve seen locally for £19.99 and (to me) is clearly daylight robbery!
Some things I pay whatever I can afford for - comfortable shoes, decent food, and comfortable and supportive bras. Some things I would not bother about - Large TVs, for example, and buying new when I have serviceable stuff such as linens, furniture, electronics etc.
I would never pay £100 for a show.

harrigran Sun 24-Feb-19 09:18:47

If I want something the price is not important. I paid in excess of a thousand pounds for my outfit for DS's wedding and that didn't include bag and shoes. On the other hand I will not spend on overpriced coffee that sounds better than it tastes.