Spending ESA

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Should I feel guilty for spending ESA on treats as well as my rent and food?

I live alone and would like to do up my house.

If I was able to do my job ie work as a librarian, I would feel no guilt.

But because it's 'government money' (yes I know librarian wages are too but they're earned through work) I feel like I'm taking advantage if I spoil myself.

What I want is to do my house up. I have permission to do that.

I just need to learn to give myself that permission too.

To cope with the low self worth I have.

This is kind of a haven post so I'd like nice answers not 'yes you're a scrounger' acknowledgements.

Also I want to get clothes from a certain shop in a certain nearby town and all I can think of is when me and my cousins were teenagers we used to go in there and laugh at the clothes...

You need to give your ESA treats.

They need those.

Feel guilty if you don’t.

Edit: Wait, that do you mean by ESA?

Last edited by CollegeGirlAnon on 08 Mar 2021, 10:02 am, edited 1 time in total.

I'm on ESA and PIP. I spend it on what keeps my mind going which can be tools, computer parts, metal stock or models.

Do I consider myself a scrounger? A little bit but the money does not go on drink, drugs or cancer sticks (also known as cigarettes). Do I care if other people don't like the fact I'm going to be on benefits for the rest of my life? No and neither should you KT.

Spend it on what makes you happy but don't put yourself in a position where you can't pay bills with what is left. Set aside some each week for those little things you need to keep you happy and never let anyone tell you how you spend the money is wrong.

Employment support allowance

So, treats for me.

Not living 100% frugally. Not saving up for no reason. Not strictly spending money on the most practical things.

Treating it as a wage like MayContainThunder says: first spend on the practical side of life, save some, spend some on treats

Ironically you have a point. Animals need treats and humans are animals. I don't have an official ESA (emotional support animal?) but I have my cat who was with me since I was really ill. She needs treats and other than being lovely to me, she doesn't 'earn it'. Why can't a non-royal human be like my cat...

I felt guilty when I was on ESA and was worried about everything I did too. You need treats though, you can't be expected to live without ever buying things that make you happier!

No. Once the money has been handed over to you, it is yours to spend as you like.

If you don't spend it, it would only go to the shareholders of greedy government outsourcing companies or similar.

Have a look on here for help towards costs to do up your house:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housi ... rovements/

And don't ever feel guilty about spending your ESA on treats.

Seems like you are looking for a logic process, so, here is one to try,

What does making one's living space more pleasant do for one's morale, emotion, psychology?

What do things which enrich one's morale, emotion, psychology, do for their physical health?

What does psychologically supporting one's physical health do for one's quality of life, long term survival, and employability?


(and I too had to look for a definition of ESA as used here since I know it as European Space Agency and I live in a country which uses a different flavor of English)

Do not feel bad, but do invest responsibly. Think to yourself "I am doing up my home so it does not loose its value and I am keeping it in good or reasonable condition. I am also doing this so I can maintain a good mental health so I do not worry like I would if things are deteriating around me".