How I Spend Money Without Guilt 🙅🏽♀️
Issue #09 of the Chidera Peters Dispatch
Hi friend!
This past weekend, I went full DIY mode with some much-needed home improvement projects 🔨. We panelled and repainted our bedroom, swapped out old light fixtures, installed new bathroom storage, and even rearranged my office to make it feel more spacious. After decluttering and making these small changes, the space feels so much more intentional—like everything has a purpose.
And honestly, that’s exactly how I feel about spending money without guilt—when you assign purpose to your money, it stops feeling like a burden and starts working in your favour.
💰 How I Spend Money Without Guilt
Most people assume budgeting means restriction. But in reality, a good budget should give you financial freedom, not stress. The goal isn’t to stop spending—it’s to spend intentionally, in a way that aligns with your values and goals.
Here’s how I do that without guilt:
1️⃣ I Put Me First
Before spending a single pound on lifestyle expenses, I pay myself first—meaning my savings and investments come first and this is non-negotiable.
The first thing I do when I get paid is allocate money to:
✅ My savings goals
✅ My investment accounts
✅ Any financial priorities for the month (e.g. bills, black tax, tithe etc)
Once that’s done, I don’t stress too much about how I spend the rest because I’ve handled the big things first. So, even if I spend on things I enjoy, I know I’m still making progress toward my financial goals.
2️⃣ I Budget for My Lifestyle
I don’t believe in budgeting down to the last penny 😮💨. Instead of assigning rigid amounts to each category (like £50 for travel, £40 for shopping, etc.), I keep it simple.
I allocate £300 per month for all my personal expenses—including travel, takeout, shopping, and personal care. This gives me flexibility while keeping my spending in check.
💡 However, didn’t just pick £300 randomly—I tracked my expenses religiously over time and realised this was my baseline for personal spending.
I keep this money in my Monzo account, which is my ‘expenses account.’ This makes it easy to tap and track as I go. (See this video: The 6 Bank Accounts Everyone in the UK Should Have for Financial Stability.)
Then, at the end of the month, I review where most of the money went by tracking my expenses 💭 —Was it mostly on Takeout? Transport? Shopping? This helps me stay aware of my habits without obsessing over every little detail.
3️⃣ I Spend Based on What Matters to Me
A big reason why I don’t feel guilty about spending money is that I only spend on what actually matters to me—not what society or social media tells me I should care about.
For example:
I don’t care about designer brands. I can’t even name more than five luxury brands 🥲, and I don’t feel the need to own the latest shoes or handbags.
I will always spend on convenience because I hate stress 🙅🏽♀️. I pay for a cleaning service twice a month because it saves me time and energy.
I will always book the best hotel because I can’t do budget travel. You won’t find me in a hostel or struggling with uncomfortable accommodation just to save money 😩.
I pay for priority service where I can because I like ease 🧘🏾♀️. Whether it’s priority boarding at the airport or express delivery for something I need, I’m happy to spend on things that make my life easier.
This approach helps me cut out unnecessary spending on things I don’t actually care about and instead focus my money on things that genuinely improve my life.
4️⃣ I Have A Pamper Fund
One of the best things I do for myself is keeping a fun fund/pamper day savings pot.
I set aside money specifically for:
💆🏾♀️ Massages & spa days
🍽️ Special dinners at nice restaurants
✈️ Last-minute weekend getaways
This way, when I want to indulge in self-care, I don’t feel guilty about spending—because I already saved for it.
Instead of feeling like I’m ‘splurging,’ I see it as an investment in my well-being and happiness. And because I already took care of my savings and investments first, I can fully enjoy it without second-guessing.
🌍 Community Corner
Last week in my WhatsApp Community, we had a powerful conversation about Black Tax—the financial pressure of supporting family while managing personal goals.
We also had a Q&A on ISAs, including strategies to maximize ISA benefits. If you haven’t joined the channel, what are you waiting for? 🤦🏽♀️
🎥 New Video: How to Invest for Beginners
💰 Want to start investing in the UK but don’t know where to begin? Whether you’re new to investing, a UK migrant, or just looking to grow your money, this week’s video breaks down exactly how to invest your first £100—without fear or confusion.
That’s it for this week!
Remember, Balance is key—because what’s the point of saving if you can’t even afford to enjoy your money? Think abourrit
XOXO
Chidera
Thank youuuuuuuuu for sharing