How Much Money do you Spend on Yourself per Month?

[Anonymous]

I have a coworker who always looks SPECTACULAR and put together. She has an incredible eye for thrift store clothes and travels all the way out to Western Loudoun County and swears by the thrift stores out there (lots of rich people and not many poor people picking over stuff). It consumes a lot of her time when she does shop, but holy crap, she looks amazing. I also know she dyes her own hair, does her own manicures (which also look great) and has long her so I don't think she cuts it much. I know this because I love talking about her clothes with her. She puts vintage like stuff together so well. She could open a store.

her DH is a PHD student and she has 3 kids so she has a very tight budget, but always looks put together from head to toe, despite having a very low budget. I wish I cared enough ( I hate shopping so I definitely cannot rummage like she can!) to be like her and look so great on a shoestring budget.

[Anonymous]

$2000-2500 a year. 1000 on clothes and 600 on hair, then another 50$ a month on makeup/skin care.

[Anonymous]

Hair Cuts (and color - single process): $1560/year - $180 every six weeks
Nails: $600/year - much more in the summer than winter., mostly pedicures
Beauty Products: $1200-1500/year for products, I use expensive shampoo and conditioner plus I have started doing a Korean Beauty 10 step process (I am 54 and starting to feel it, the majority of my money until recently went to my hair). Minimal make-up from sephora.

Clothes really vary, I probably spend $1-2K/year depending on what I need and our other spending. I am trying to be more focused on my look and have Marie Kondo'd my closet. I really do not have the patience for thrift store shopping, I wish I did.

Shoes - $3-400/year depending on what I need. Usually new boots every two years.

We have a good HHI but also a solid mortgage and two kids (tween and a teen) with lots of activities, college to pay for and we like to travel.

I am a senior government official, I like to look good but my job does not depend on it in any way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much do you spend on bras? How often do you replace them?

Are you buying A-line skirts, pencil skirts, or what?

If you were a medium or small for tops in a given brand, did that really change without you gaining weight?

Re:

Anonymous wrote:To the cashmere thrift store queen PP.... I'm most amazed that you stay the same size all these years. I've mostly stayed the same weight but getting older, things have definitely shifted. So skirts become too tight or bras become too small, etc.

I used to only buy Victoria's Secret bras, and I remember one year when I stopped taking birth control, and my breasts shrank. So I had gaping cups in a lot of my bras. Now I just buy cheaper bras because I have yet to find one that really lasts anyway.

Maybe most shirts are more forgiving, but pants/bottoms are not. Part of what I'm thinking about is working out, and how I only used to do cardio all the time, because that was what they told you to do to burn calories. Now the research has shifted to show that weights + cardio are a better combo, and things have "filled out" differently. I'm mostly referring to pencil/work skirts, that would get too tight across the hips/butt area for me to feel comfortable at work. They'd be fine if I was going out at night.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a coworker who always looks SPECTACULAR and put together. She has an incredible eye for thrift store clothes and travels all the way out to Western Loudoun County and swears by the thrift stores out there (lots of rich people and not many poor people picking over stuff). It consumes a lot of her time when she does shop, but holy crap, she looks amazing. I also know she dyes her own hair, does her own manicures (which also look great) and has long her so I don't think she cuts it much. I know this because I love talking about her clothes with her. She puts vintage like stuff together so well. She could open a store.

her DH is a PHD student and she has 3 kids so she has a very tight budget, but always looks put together from head to toe, despite having a very low budget. I wish I cared enough ( I hate shopping so I definitely cannot rummage like she can!) to be like her and look so great on a shoestring budget.

Hmm I live way out in western loudoun. I wonder where she is shopping!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much do you spend on bras? How often do you replace them?

Are you buying A-line skirts, pencil skirts, or what?

If you were a medium or small for tops in a given brand, did that really change without you gaining weight?

Re:

Anonymous wrote:To the cashmere thrift store queen PP.... I'm most amazed that you stay the same size all these years. I've mostly stayed the same weight but getting older, things have definitely shifted. So skirts become too tight or bras become too small, etc.

I used to only buy Victoria's Secret bras, and I remember one year when I stopped taking birth control, and my breasts shrank. So I had gaping cups in a lot of my bras. Now I just buy cheaper bras because I have yet to find one that really lasts anyway.

Maybe most shirts are more forgiving, but pants/bottoms are not. Part of what I'm thinking about is working out, and how I only used to do cardio all the time, because that was what they told you to do to burn calories. Now the research has shifted to show that weights + cardio are a better combo, and things have "filled out" differently. I'm mostly referring to pencil/work skirts, that would get too tight across the hips/butt area for me to feel comfortable at work. They'd be fine if I was going out at night.

First, I'm not queen of anything. I'm uncomfortable with being portrayed as someone who is bragging or boasting, and this language sounds like a part of that. Maybe it is not what you meant, but there is a consistent theme in my stand of this thread that feels hostile to me, and I am not interested in perpetrating it.

I was a poor kid who needed to dress above her station in life to get ahead, and I was surrounded by examples of what good quality looked and felt like. This was my solution to that problem. I certainly don't recommend it to people who aren't interested in it, for whatever reason.

I never found VS bras to be of good quality. If I didn't wear the bras I do, frankly I would not be able to keep using the same clothes this many years. Gravity has its effects. A really well engineered bra puts things back in place and lasts longer than you would expect.

I wear mostly long A-line wool skirts at work, in part because I am kneeling on the floor a lot. It also means that unless my waist size changes (and it hasn't, significantly), Other changes don't really matter. My short skits on the weekend are mostly gathered cotton or a stretch wool blend, so also very forgiving./

When I wear pants, they are usually slouch style. (Loose, like Katherine Hepburn.) I can't say this was deliberate for longevity, but it has worked for me to be forgiving over the years. It is NOT up-to-the-mode stylish.

That may be why we have had different experiences with maintaining a wardrobe over time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much do you spend on bras? How often do you replace them?

Are you buying A-line skirts, pencil skirts, or what?

If you were a medium or small for tops in a given brand, did that really change without you gaining weight?

Re:

Anonymous wrote:To the cashmere thrift store queen PP.... I'm most amazed that you stay the same size all these years. I've mostly stayed the same weight but getting older, things have definitely shifted. So skirts become too tight or bras become too small, etc.

I used to only buy Victoria's Secret bras, and I remember one year when I stopped taking birth control, and my breasts shrank. So I had gaping cups in a lot of my bras. Now I just buy cheaper bras because I have yet to find one that really lasts anyway.

Maybe most shirts are more forgiving, but pants/bottoms are not. Part of what I'm thinking about is working out, and how I only used to do cardio all the time, because that was what they told you to do to burn calories. Now the research has shifted to show that weights + cardio are a better combo, and things have "filled out" differently. I'm mostly referring to pencil/work skirts, that would get too tight across the hips/butt area for me to feel comfortable at work. They'd be fine if I was going out at night.

First, I'm not queen of anything. I'm uncomfortable with being portrayed as someone who is bragging or boasting, and this language sounds like a part of that. Maybe it is not what you meant, but there is a consistent theme in my stand of this thread that feels hostile to me, and I am not interested in perpetrating it.

I was a poor kid who needed to dress above her station in life to get ahead, and I was surrounded by examples of what good quality looked and felt like. This was my solution to that problem. I certainly don't recommend it to people who aren't interested in it, for whatever reason.

I never found VS bras to be of good quality. If I didn't wear the bras I do, frankly I would not be able to keep using the same clothes this many years. Gravity has its effects. A really well engineered bra puts things back in place and lasts longer than you would expect.

I wear mostly long A-line wool skirts at work, in part because I am kneeling on the floor a lot. It also means that unless my waist size changes (and it hasn't, significantly), Other changes don't really matter. My short skits on the weekend are mostly gathered cotton or a stretch wool blend, so also very forgiving./

When I wear pants, they are usually slouch style. (Loose, like Katherine Hepburn.) I can't say this was deliberate for longevity, but it has worked for me to be forgiving over the years. It is NOT up-to-the-mode stylish.

That may be why we have had different experiences with maintaining a wardrobe over time.

I've not engaged with e back and forth of this until this post, but I'll just chime in. Your follow ups have sounded very reasonable and provided lots of hints and explanations. I'll just say, though, that your very first post, though you not intending to, sounded smug. Oh, I only spend $20/month on myself. Just flatly typing that sounds smug. It just does. Typing, "well, now I only spend $20/month on myself, but I've really learned what works for my body, I have built up an extensive wardrobe via thrifting, and I rarely buy anything except for replacement thrift store finds" does not sounds smug. you've said your same impossibly low number, but you've provided a rationale. Just saying $20 (and of course no one sees you or hears tone of voice) sends a message of superiority. You must know you're a bit of an outlier, and so need some explanation to not sound, well, smug. I think that's why this has derailed the original question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much do you spend on bras? How often do you replace them?

Are you buying A-line skirts, pencil skirts, or what?

If you were a medium or small for tops in a given brand, did that really change without you gaining weight?

Re:

Anonymous wrote:To the cashmere thrift store queen PP.... I'm most amazed that you stay the same size all these years. I've mostly stayed the same weight but getting older, things have definitely shifted. So skirts become too tight or bras become too small, etc.

I used to only buy Victoria's Secret bras, and I remember one year when I stopped taking birth control, and my breasts shrank. So I had gaping cups in a lot of my bras. Now I just buy cheaper bras because I have yet to find one that really lasts anyway.

Maybe most shirts are more forgiving, but pants/bottoms are not. Part of what I'm thinking about is working out, and how I only used to do cardio all the time, because that was what they told you to do to burn calories. Now the research has shifted to show that weights + cardio are a better combo, and things have "filled out" differently. I'm mostly referring to pencil/work skirts, that would get too tight across the hips/butt area for me to feel comfortable at work. They'd be fine if I was going out at night.

First, I'm not queen of anything. I'm uncomfortable with being portrayed as someone who is bragging or boasting, and this language sounds like a part of that. Maybe it is not what you meant, but there is a consistent theme in my stand of this thread that feels hostile to me, and I am not interested in perpetrating it.

I was a poor kid who needed to dress above her station in life to get ahead, and I was surrounded by examples of what good quality looked and felt like. This was my solution to that problem. I certainly don't recommend it to people who aren't interested in it, for whatever reason.

I never found VS bras to be of good quality. If I didn't wear the bras I do, frankly I would not be able to keep using the same clothes this many years. Gravity has its effects. A really well engineered bra puts things back in place and lasts longer than you would expect.

I wear mostly long A-line wool skirts at work, in part because I am kneeling on the floor a lot. It also means that unless my waist size changes (and it hasn't, significantly), Other changes don't really matter. My short skits on the weekend are mostly gathered cotton or a stretch wool blend, so also very forgiving./

When I wear pants, they are usually slouch style. (Loose, like Katherine Hepburn.) I can't say this was deliberate for longevity, but it has worked for me to be forgiving over the years. It is NOT up-to-the-mode stylish.

That may be why we have had different experiences with maintaining a wardrobe over time.

I've not engaged with e back and forth of this until this post, but I'll just chime in. Your follow ups have sounded very reasonable and provided lots of hints and explanations. I'll just say, though, that your very first post, though you not intending to, sounded smug. Oh, I only spend $20/month on myself. Just flatly typing that sounds smug. It just does. Typing, "well, now I only spend $20/month on myself, but I've really learned what works for my body, I have built up an extensive wardrobe via thrifting, and I rarely buy anything except for replacement thrift store finds" does not sounds smug. you've said your same impossibly low number, but you've provided a rationale. Just saying $20 (and of course no one sees you or hears tone of voice) sends a message of superiority. You must know you're a bit of an outlier, and so need some explanation to not sound, well, smug. I think that's why this has derailed the original question.

I think you may have made an assumption.

My first post is at the bottom of this quotation, where I labelled myself as an NP, indicated I was "in that ballpark" ($20-$70), and attempted to answer the specific questions, "How exactly do you end up spending $20 or $70 per month, every month? Can you break that down for me?":

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP since you mentioned makeup and nails, I'm guessing you can't get away with $20/month. I'm going to assume you don't color your hair or have a short hairstyle that needs frequent cuts. It should be more like $70/month if you want to include all clothes, shoes, hair cuts, hair and skin products, makeup and nails. This would be just for you, not any family members.

To answer your question, my number is lower than that, but higher than $20.

This is the PP who spends a few hundred a month - I am as genuinely amazed by the people who say they spend less than $100 per month on clothes and personal goods, as I am by the people who claim to be 32 years old with $4 million in savings.

What do you generally wear? Was there a time in your life you spent more, and those clothes have held up enough you never, ever need to replace them? Do your shoes never wear out? Do you never need to buy shampoo? Do you never get your hair cut? How exactly do you end up spending $20 or $70 per month, every month? Can you break that down for me?

NP, but I'm in that ballpark.

I spent years building up a high quality wardrobe, mostly consignment or thrift store. You can find cashmere in thrift stores -- you just have to wait for it. Same for a couple of merino wool coats. I splurged on high quality shoes. I take care of them, and they last forever. I also splurged on bras. I buy department store stockings and underwear, unless it's lingerie.

I wear sunscreen religiously and have never tanned or smoked, so my skin is in decent condition. I wear drugstore BB cream, a light lip gloss, and soft eyeliner. Do my own manicures and pedicures, nothing fancy -- just well groomed with a little polish. My hairstyle is low maintenance, and I take care of that myself, too.

There's just not that much I need to buy. My wardrobe is extensive enough now that I have drawers of accessories to mix it up a bit. Every now and then I might buy something new, but 99.9% of the time I'd rather pull back into rotation something that I already love.

[Anonymous]

OK I've decided that the French PP with the beautiful wardrobe that never needs replenishing is actually Isabella Rossellini - and PP is saying she's French instead of Italian, and that she grew up poor, just to mask her identity. Because I can TOTALLY see Isabella Rosellini spending $20/month on thrifted wool skirts and Target underwear while looking like a model.

[Anonymous]

You made me laugh.

Cheap Target Underwear and French Chic Poster are two different people. (I'm Cheap Target Underwear, which sounds rather bad-porn-ish, bow-chicka-wow.) The first $20 person is, I believe, a third person.

I assure you I do not look like a model. My intention has always been to blend into the background. I grew up on a farm in the Midwest.

Thanks for the gentleness. I was feeling pretty on edge. It was a kindness.

- CTU

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You made me laugh.

Cheap Target Underwear and French Chic Poster are two different people. (I'm Cheap Target Underwear, which sounds rather bad-porn-ish, bow-chicka-wow.) The first $20 person is, I believe, a third person.

I assure you I do not look like a model. My intention has always been to blend into the background. I grew up on a farm in the Midwest.

Thanks for the gentleness. I was feeling pretty on edge. It was a kindness.

- CTU

Mwah! I think sometimes we all get on edge here and forget to give one another the benefit of the doubt. (I know I get like that anyway.)

Anyway in my mind you are all one person and that person is Isabella Rosellini, and I'm sorry you're just going to have to live with that!

[Anonymous]

I am proud I spend $600 a month on myself. I am worth it.

[Anonymous]

Why would anyone be proud of spending $20 only? Why is that good?

[Anonymous]

We each get 400$ month to spend as we please. So, some months all and some months a little.

We do not penalize for gender as I need good quality bras, hose, hair cut for work. My hair needs monthly color now so that is 100.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why would anyone be proud of spending $20 only? Why is that good?

Which post in this thread expresses pride in it?