A £249 light switch and French dips – Telegraph Money confesses to its most frivolous purchases
When I was a teenager, every so often my grandmother would slip me £10 in a card, strictly labelled “For Frivolities”.
When I got older, and only returned during breaks from university, the instruction changed to: “For Frivolities. Not Pints.”
Some of the frivolities I bought included a plant pot that died after less than a month, an expensive hot chocolate, and funky costume jewellery that I found at a market stall.
I’m not the only one who likes to splash a little bit of cash on something fun every once in a while.
The lipstick effect is a phenomenon which sees spending on discretionary goods – such as lipstick – increase during periods of economic uncertainty,
The effect, hand-in-hand with the “little treat” culture on TikTok, justifies spending small amounts for the simple reason that it makes you happy.
So, in the interests of excellent reporting, I asked the Telegraph Money desk what frivolities they bought this year – and why.
Katie Morley, Consumer Champion, said: “I spent £249 on this light switch from Corston Architectural Detail for my new extension. I could have got a white plastic non-dimmable one for £15, so the price did feel outrageous, but I actually don’t regret this purchase for a second.
“I love the slim profile and aesthetic, and it can create mood lighting as it controls all the ceiling and wall lighting in the room. I never imagined I could be so enthusiastic over a light switch but I admire it every day and it brings me great pleasure. How tragic!”
Danielle Richardson, Deputy Money Advice Editor, said most of her spending this year was for her wedding.
“I got married this year, and spent more money than I ever have before as a result. Towards the end of the planning stage, spending started to lose all meaning, and I made a few strange purchases.”
She said: “For example, I needed some table number holders, and knew I could get a plain metal set for about £1 each – but I went for a far less sensible option. I found an Etsy shop and bought a set of eight plastic dinosaurs, which had been spray painted gold, with a clip attached that holds the table number. My mum was horrified. I spent around £30.”
But the dinosaurs were not the only decoration she splashed out on.
“I also spent around £100 on ceramic pumpkins (part of the autumnal table decorations), handmade by a man who has a stall at Herne Hill market. I initially only bought a couple, but he seemed so delighted by the sale that I kept going back for more over a series of weeks.
“After the wedding, I had to return to the stall to buy another one as my mother-in-law wanted one to keep.”
Fran Ivens, Senior Money Writer, said: “At a wedding in the south of France the welcome party, hosted by the groom’s parents, included a fig, honey and walnut dip. It was one of, if not the, best thing I’d ever tasted.
“I convinced my friend who had a hire car to drive me to the supermarket where I promptly bought four tubs to bring home. Somehow I managed to avoid suspicion from airport security despite only having hand luggage.
“The total for the four came to €16. I have been on the hunt for it ever since in London and can’t find it. I even asked friends to look for me while they were in Paris for the World Cup and they came back empty handed.”
She added: “If anyone knows how to find this spread, can they please email me at fran.ivens@telegraph.co.uk.”
Charlotte Gifford, Senior Money Writer, said she’d spent frivolously on spin classes this year.
She said: “£132 on spin classes. I have convinced myself that £22 per class is good value. I have a problem.”
Lauren Almedia, Senior Money Reporter, said her most frivolous purchase was having her nails done before heading to see Beyoncé.
She said: “I was going to see Beyoncé perform her new “Renaissance” album, for which most of the art and costume design is silver.”
“I only get nail extensions for special occasions, and seeing Beyoncé live for the first time is actually one of the most special things that can happen to anyone.
“A very talented nail artist in Shoreditch created this silvery set of acrylics for around £50. They lasted for a month with no breakage or chips.”
Tom Haynes, Money Reporter, said he used his frivolous spending money this year on one of his favourite passions, Pokémon.
He said: “The stupidest thing I bought all year was a 16-inch tall plush doll of the Pokémon Luxray for £30. It was the day after my hockey club’s end-of-season dinner and I was mortally hungover.
“However, I had promised to meet my friend at the ExCel that Sunday, as the Pokémon European Championships were being held there and we had booked a slot for a rare pop-up shop. There was oonts-oonts music blaring and I wanted to be sick.”
Mr Haynes continued: “At one point my friend, lining up a selection of potential purchases, turned away only to find that by the time she had turned back a child was trying to steal one. In the end, my friend goaded me into getting the plush, which now shamefully cowers behind a big houseplant in the corner of my bedroom.
“Wouldn’t even say Luxray is a favourite of mine.”
Alexa Phillips, Money Reporter, in an impressive feat of self-improvement, said she spent £360 for an online course on economic inequality via Oxford University’s school of continuing education.
She also spent £32.50 on an accompanying textbook. But she did not finish the course.
She said: “I did the readings for a few weeks but fell behind when I went to the party conferences for work and other things cropped up.
“I had signed up for the course thinking it would help me progress in my career but then I got a new job and figured I didn’t need it as much as I thought I did. My editor says this is an example of girl maths. I swear I’ll do the readings eventually as I’m convinced they will make me a better human being.”
She added: “Plus then I can say I’ve gone to Oxford like my colleague Madeleine Ross, who never stops dropping that into conversations.”
Noah Eastwood, Money Reporter, said he spent £79.99 on a water-jet tooth floss.
He said: “I was tired of having to use flossing tape all the time, which added considerable time and energy to both my evening and morning dental routines.
“So I opted for the jet washer. I hoped it would make my teeth sparkle as bright as an Airbus A380 floating like a scintilla in the cerulean sky.
“But it couldn’t shift a crumb and now I’m back on the floss.”
Ruby Hinchliffe, Money Reporter, said: “I bought a year’s gym membership then moved house five months later – as investments go, it’s performed poorly but the free gym in the office has eased the pain somewhat.”
Ben Wilkinson, Head of Money, said he doesn’t spend frivolously.
