https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 16 Apr 2026 06:18:16 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-unnecessary-things-each-month#post-2472760 Wed, 24 Feb 2016 13:00:16 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2472760@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't do much of buying drinks, clothes, impulse buys, etc that we don't need.</p> <p>But we go out to eat way more than what we ought to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-unnecessary-things-each-month#post-2472731 Wed, 24 Feb 2016 12:49:49 +0000 lawbee11 2472731@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A lot. We spend a lot on eating out. I don't love to cook and would go insane if I had to do it every night. DH and I both cook about equally but on the weekends especially we love getting out of the house for meals. And I get Starbucks daily so yeah that adds up! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-unnecessary-things-each-month#post-2472726 Wed, 24 Feb 2016 12:45:34 +0000 gingerbebe 2472726@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I guess it depends on how you look at it. I buy a lot of things every month we don't "need" that month, but I'm ALWAYS stocking up on things. Sometimes its cleaning supplies (hello 6-pack of toilet gel I bought last night on Amazon using a sweet coupon and S&amp;S!) or its a toy or board book on sale I know I can give for Easter or a birthday. I just bought $150 worth of Polo shirts last yesterday but that's Christmas, Father's Day, and birthday presents for every guy on both sides of family for the next year at about $20 a pop.</p> <p>If we're talking about purely impractical things like a Starbuck's latte while out running an errand or a pastry in the afternoon, I'd say DH and I together spend about $30-40 a month. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-unnecessary-things-each-month#post-2472707 Wed, 24 Feb 2016 12:38:54 +0000 Pumpkin Pie 2472707@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Almost 100% of our extra, unnecessary spending is on eating out on the weekends. I struggle so much to meal plan. prep for the week, that I've just decided that I'm OK with spending money to eat out on weekends. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-unnecessary-things-each-month#post-2472638 Wed, 24 Feb 2016 12:08:28 +0000 NovBaby1112 2472638@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>way too much. I buy stuff on amazon prime almost daily! really need to watch spending habits because I am dropping down to part time!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-unnecessary-things-each-month#post-2472635 Wed, 24 Feb 2016 12:07:37 +0000 runnerd 2472635@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not a number I want to write down. before eating out, probably $150-200/mo; but that skyrockets with eating out which we are guilty of 3-4x a week. We are kind of freaking out about paying for 2 in daycare in the fall bc we are going to have to make some big lifestyle changes, so we are practicing that starting this month :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-unnecessary-things-each-month#post-2472632 Wed, 24 Feb 2016 12:06:23 +0000 deerylou 2472632@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It fluctuates. Some months we'll all get haircuts, I'll have an extra girls night out, DD will "need" new ballet flats, and my husband pays dues for his soccer league. Other months, we'll buy deli sandwiches on a random Saturday, and I'll pick up a new nail polish, and we'll spend a total of $30.</p> <p>In general, we adhere to a modest budget and do our absolute best to account for every dollar we spend. I used to shop far more frivolously, but our lifestyle is just different, now. The stakes are higher; we only have one income, want another baby, and feel eliminating debt/boosting savings are the priority. I watch our checking and savings accounts like a bird of prey. Kawkaw. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-unnecessary-things-each-month#post-2472624 Wed, 24 Feb 2016 12:02:16 +0000 Autumnmama79 2472624@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>According to DH, way to too much. But I like to buy things for DD and as an uncomfortable pregnant lady I need to treat myself to things like starbucks, lunches out and trips to the makeup counter. Sounds silly when I type it out but it temporarily makes me feel better. </p> <p>I will naturally have to cut back in a couple months when my mat leave starts and I'm down to 80% of my income for the following 12 months... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-unnecessary-things-each-month#post-2472620 Wed, 24 Feb 2016 11:58:05 +0000 yellowbird 2472620@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Uhhhhhh, a LOT! We have to work on this because my salary is getting waaaaayyyy cut in a couple months! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-unnecessary-things-each-month#post-2472600 Wed, 24 Feb 2016 11:45:03 +0000 IRunForFun 2472600@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hardly anything. We are both pretty frugal by nature and now also by necessity. We almost never go out to eat and very rarely buy coffee - usually only if we are traveling. If I go to Starbucks it's only because I have a gift card. We tend not to buy clothes unless we really need them, or unless we have gift cards or have been gifted money. </p> <p>To answer the question - maybe on average $20 a month? That includes things like buying a chocolate bar while grocery shopping and the 1x or so a month DH doesn't have time to pack a lunch and grabs Subway or something.</p> <p>I honestly wish we had more disposable income so we could be more comfortable grabbing things we don't "need" once in a while without agonizing over it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-unnecessary-things-each-month#post-2472575 Wed, 24 Feb 2016 11:30:30 +0000 Torchwood 2472575@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What do you consider unnecessary? I spend a lot on coffee, but until LO sttn I consider it very necessary! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-unnecessary-things-each-month#post-2472462 Wed, 24 Feb 2016 10:44:34 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2472462@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Too much. I should be more worried about it but it's not hurting the bottom line and we have a new house that needs a ton of stuff so most of my spending is house related. Not totally frivolous but not necessary either. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-unnecessary-things-each-month#post-2472456 Wed, 24 Feb 2016 10:41:42 +0000 cat620 2472456@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Too much. I would say we are in the hundreds when I add up all the Amazon purchases, clothes, toys, eating out and entertainment like seeing a movie or a play. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-unnecessary-things-each-month#post-2472444 Wed, 24 Feb 2016 10:38:06 +0000 DillonLion 2472444@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Very little, same as you. Maybe $50. </p> <p>We operate on a very tight budget and send everything we can to our financial goals (used to be debt payoff, then an emergency fund, and about to finish that and start investing heavily)</p> <p>We used to just pay our bills and blow the rest, so those numbers would be way higher. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-unnecessary-things-each-month#post-2472400 Wed, 24 Feb 2016 10:19:28 +0000 snowjewelz 2472400@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Definitely at least $50, probably closer to $100 including eating out! Target is to blame! I'm def more conscious of this now though since I started using YNAB. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-unnecessary-things-each-month#post-2472382 Wed, 24 Feb 2016 10:09:11 +0000 winniebee 2472382@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Right now, too much. A lot of it is for stuff for our new house, which we moved into a few months ago. But we also love eating out and getting take out is so easy. </p> <p>I keep saying I'm going to start YNAB, hoping to do that in the next month. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-unnecessary-things-each-month#post-2472372 Wed, 24 Feb 2016 09:59:47 +0000 Mamaof2 2472372@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@petitenoisette: ugh that is the worst - knowing that after your bills are paid you should have $500 left but you have like $50 :bummed: </p> <p>I don't know how much but its a lot! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-unnecessary-things-each-month#post-2472362 Wed, 24 Feb 2016 09:56:25 +0000 Greentea 2472362@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are freaky frugal because we have to be. Unfortunately we keep having major expensive needs (car repairs, unemployment, lawyers fees the size of a downpayment on a house). We constantly have needs that I have to just barely put off. Maybe everyone feels that way. So I only buy needs. At the same time, maybe I define needs more grandly- more loosely- I have some friends who have lots of investments and live even more frugally than we do and they are amazing. Then they travel a lot. I guess it depends on how you define it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-unnecessary-things-each-month#post-2472358 Wed, 24 Feb 2016 09:54:56 +0000 petitenoisette 2472358@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh man, like hundreds? I mean it is hard to separate it all out because some of it happens at the grocery store (convenience items like others have been mentioning), some going to Target for TP or something but coming out $100 later and then things we "need on amazon." </p> <p>All I know is looking at the budget we should have a 500-600 left per month that is usually gone... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-unnecessary-things-each-month#post-2472297 Wed, 24 Feb 2016 09:35:39 +0000 looch 2472297@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've cut way back. I used to spend a lot on clothes for myself, there was a period of time where i was spending something like $200 per week on new clothes. I didn't need any of these things, but I got caught up in the "price is too good not to" thing. So, he set up alerts on our credit cards. If we spend over a certain amount, we recieve an email. It's annoying sometimes, but it really kept me accountable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-unnecessary-things-each-month#post-2472292 Wed, 24 Feb 2016 09:34:25 +0000 lamariniere 2472292@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Over the last few months I have tried to be really contentious about what we buy. I try to buy things on a need-only basis, but it doesn't always work that way. I've spent a decent amount of money on clothes this month because I shopped some sales and bought things everyone *needed*. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-unnecessary-things-each-month#post-2472255 Wed, 24 Feb 2016 09:15:07 +0000 petunia354 2472255@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: Same here on the short cuts at the grocery store! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-unnecessary-things-each-month#post-2472251 Wed, 24 Feb 2016 09:12:41 +0000 BananaPancakes 2472251@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A lot. We really need to cut back, but I find myself constantly buying LO things. Nevermind that he's growing faster than he ever has and I am literally having to purchase clothing or shoes every few weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-unnecessary-things-each-month#post-2472243 Wed, 24 Feb 2016 09:03:54 +0000 Mrs. Sunshine 2472243@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: seriously. I feel like our grocery bill is insane. I SAH so I do my best to chop everything myself but I'm sure I'm still coming home with unnecessary things every week. It's so hard. Which is why it makes me so crazy when DH goes out to eat. I just spent a million dollars on groceries there is no need for that nonsense! If I were in your shoes I'd likely do what you do. I've started meal prepping but chopping veggies still sucks on prep day and if I WOH I definitely would want to spend precious weekend time on chopping veggies. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-unnecessary-things-each-month#post-2472238 Wed, 24 Feb 2016 09:02:07 +0000 Smurfette 2472238@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Way too much. I started trying to only go to Target once a month to help there. Grocery store sticking to my list as much as possible. We are trying to cut back on eating out.</p> <p>But all in all, I need to work on this. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-unnecessary-things-each-month#post-2472234 Wed, 24 Feb 2016 08:59:49 +0000 Mrs. Sunshine 2472234@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So my "extra" spending often happens while I'm already at the grocery store getting things we need and I'll pick up one or two things (generally food items) extra for the week so it's hard to quantify what I spend exactly but I'd say it's around 30 to 40 a month. I never go out for coffee or out to eat. I always keep those things strictly at home and it's a huge deal for me to buy clothes when I need them. I rarely buy them when I want them. DH on the other hand cannot stop going out to eat and buying random crap food at gas stations. He averages 80 to 100 dollars a month. I keep begging him to stop spending so much extra but he either won't stop or he just can't control himself. It's not helping us though. Its a huge point of contention for us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-unnecessary-things-each-month#post-2472229 Wed, 24 Feb 2016 08:58:06 +0000 Anagram 2472229@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Most of my buying habits are unnecessary strictly speaking, but necessary for my mental health! </p> <p>Especially at the grocery store--I buy a whoooole lot of precut or prepackaged foods to save me time. Like, I buy those baby potatoes that are washed and in the steamer package, rather than just regular potatoes, just because I hate washing potatoes and don't have time on a weeknight. My grocery store has a lot of pre cut veggies, like they pre-cut sweet potatoes in steak fry size and I buy those all the time to make homemade sweet potato fries--because it saves me like 15-20 minutes of time washing, peeling, and chopping. Worth it to me, but unnecessary I guess. I like fresh, unprocessed foods but don't really want to work all day and then stand in the kitchen all night, so I just throw money at the problem.</p> <p>Our grocery bills are ridiculous. Outside of groceries, I buy a lot of unnecessary books and art supplies for LO1. We rarely eat out, but we order delivery about once a week. </p> <p>Annnnddd....now we have a nanny. We pay our nanny more than we pay on our mortgage. In an expensive area. Again, "unnecessary", but necessary for my mental health right now. It's either have a nanny or schlep two kids with me to work, 2 hours a day in the car. Kill me now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-unnecessary-things-each-month#post-2472228 Wed, 24 Feb 2016 08:57:27 +0000 LuLu Mom 2472228@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If I had to cut back to the bare bones I could cut out $350 a month. This would eliminate cable/Netflix/eating out/unnecessary shopping/ect. It would suck, I'm trying to cut back about 100 in the unnecessary spending by having us eat out less and staying away from Target ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-unnecessary-things-each-month#post-2472225 Wed, 24 Feb 2016 08:56:13 +0000 MoonMoon 2472225@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bao: ah ok! Then just the lower part of my guess, $30/month or so. Car troubles are a B! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-unnecessary-things-each-month#post-2472223 Wed, 24 Feb 2016 08:55:14 +0000 PurplePumps 2472223@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>None! Everything I buy is *necessary*!!! LOL.<br /> Kidding.... if we were to really go bare bones "needs", I could probably cut out about $250-300. </p>