How Much Money do you Spend on Yourself per Month?

[Anonymous]

For the people who don’t spend a lot, do big events like weddings where you are in the wedding party throw your budget? Or big events in general?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here...maybe I should have asked for an annual amount because I do understand that we all don't get our hair cut every month or buy beauty products every month or shoes. I also don't understand how it could be $20 per month because that would be $240/year and that's less than one hair cut and coloring for maybe people. Going forward can we estimate annual cost for hair cuts, nails, beauty products, and, if you could even break it out, that would be awesome. Thanks for all the responses so far! For example:

Hair Cuts: $120 - two $60 haircuts
Coloring: $0
Nails: $0
Beauty Products: $100

Work Clothes: $500
Casual Clothes: $300
Work Shoes: $200
Casual Shoes: $200
Athletic Apparel: $300

Thank you!

So probably about $150 / month.

[Anonymous]

Hair Cuts: $100
Coloring: $100 - I like my hair color but will do face framing highlights.
Nails: 0
Beauty Products: $100

Work Clothes: $100
Casual Clothes: $50
Work Shoes: $90
Casual Shoes: $60
Athletic Apparel: $0

About $600 a year

[Anonymous]

don't any of you have hobbies?

I spend maybe $150 every 3 months to get my hair colored, maybe 600-700 annually on clothes, another 100-200 annually on regular shoes...

But also a lot more on running shoes, my gym membership, sewing supplies, Friday night hockey league, lunches and dinners out with friends.

I spend an average $250 or so a month on all that and sundry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For the people who don’t spend a lot, do big events like weddings where you are in the wedding party throw your budget? Or big events in general?

I haven't been in a wedding party in over 20 years. I have a posh frock to wear to bigger events. I just replaced it last year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:don't any of you have hobbies?

I spend maybe $150 every 3 months to get my hair colored, maybe 600-700 annually on clothes, another 100-200 annually on regular shoes...

But also a lot more on running shoes, my gym membership, sewing supplies, Friday night hockey league, lunches and dinners out with friends.

I spend an average $250 or so a month on all that and sundry.

I spend very little on beauty ($30 cut at Great Cuts or whatever 2 x year, maybe $300 on clothes a year, and I don't use cosmetics - the whole family just uses Head and Shoulders and the same moisturizer and sunscreen so I don't count that as "mine"). But I do spend a great deal on myself - books, garden supplies, and gear for my sport. I just think different things make each of us happy. Since we aren't rolling in the dough I have to make choices, and I'd take a new book over a haircut any day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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?

This is the PP you quoted. Yes when I was working full time I spent a lot more, mainly on clothes and shoes. My wardrobe now is casual, and pretty limited. I only get my hair cut 3x/year, no color. No makeup, nails done only once a year. At a few hundred a month, you probably look much more put together than I do! For now I'm just choosing to put that $ into other expenses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For the people who don’t spend a lot, do big events like weddings where you are in the wedding party throw your budget? Or big events in general?

I'm passed the age of being included in a wedding party. When I need something, I have a couple dresses that still fit and look good. In addition to cast offs from friends, there also is my Value Village Super Savers Club card. It has saved me even more than doing my own nails.

[Anonymous]

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.

I'm the PP you are responding to. I also mostly buy wool or cashmere at consignment stores - and, sure, coats last for years. But what about t-shirts, underwear, shorts, pants to wear while walking the dog, shoes to wear for walking the dog, shoes to wear to go out to the museum on the weekend, etc? You never need new jeans or new sweatshirts? I'm talking about the sorts of clothes you wear for doing regular life things, that don't last forever - you don't replace those? Or if you do it comes to no more than $50 per month? Does that mean you save up for two months for new sneakers?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I'm the PP you are responding to. I also mostly buy wool or cashmere at consignment stores - and, sure, coats last for years. But what about t-shirts, underwear, shorts, pants to wear while walking the dog, shoes to wear for walking the dog, shoes to wear to go out to the museum on the weekend, etc? You never need new jeans or new sweatshirts? I'm talking about the sorts of clothes you wear for doing regular life things, that don't last forever - you don't replace those? Or if you do it comes to no more than $50 per month? Does that mean you save up for two months for new sneakers?

I don't need to save up. I just don't spend it. (I grew up incredibly poor, with an outhouse in rural Midwest, and I am in a very different bracket now. Old habits just die hard.)

I have great vintage jeans, several pairs -- back from when they made them well. I buy 6-packs of white t-shirts and gym socks from Target a couple of times a year. They are cheap. New sneakers once a year, usually from someplace like TJ Maxx.

Most of the time I am professional gear or very dressed down. My work is my life. I do like to dress up, but I already have what I need.

Mind you, I'm not saying this would work for most people. But I average out very little outlay, and you asked. There are many ways to be happy and healthy in this world, though, and nothing wrong with spending more if you wanted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For the people who don’t spend a lot, do big events like weddings where you are in the wedding party throw your budget? Or big events in general?

No, just because I don't do the stuff regularly doesn't mean that I can't afford it. It just means that I don't like to spend money on that stuff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:don't any of you have hobbies?

I spend maybe $150 every 3 months to get my hair colored, maybe 600-700 annually on clothes, another 100-200 annually on regular shoes...

But also a lot more on running shoes, my gym membership, sewing supplies, Friday night hockey league, lunches and dinners out with friends.

I spend an average $250 or so a month on all that and sundry.

I spend very little on beauty ($30 cut at Great Cuts or whatever 2 x year, maybe $300 on clothes a year, and I don't use cosmetics - the whole family just uses Head and Shoulders and the same moisturizer and sunscreen so I don't count that as "mine"). But I do spend a great deal on myself - books, garden supplies, and gear for my sport. I just think different things make each of us happy. Since we aren't rolling in the dough I have to make choices, and I'd take a new book over a haircut any day.

Yes! This is exactly what I was saying. I keep seeing all these super low numbers, and they don't include the other things most of us are spending on, like books and hobbies. I'd also choose a new book over a haircut any day, but it's not like I'm not spending the money --- I'm just spending it on things that matter to me.

[Anonymous]

PS: Not gaining weight helps a lot. I run and row (machine), and walk dogs from the animal shelter as a volunteer -- none of which costs much. So I still fit into a ballgown from 10 years ago and my vintage jeans.

But this is DCUM, so I'm going to get flamed for being uppity about myself. I don't think I'm the bomb, honest. I'm just prioritizing other areas of my life.

[Anonymous]

I feel like the money forum brings out the most extreme posters - the wealthiest, who spend the least. Maybe that's just who responds. I guess it's like asking people on the diet forum what they eat for lunch - two leaves of spinach and a glass of water.

OP - I think you'd get different answers if you posted in the beauty forum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:don't any of you have hobbies?

I spend maybe $150 every 3 months to get my hair colored, maybe 600-700 annually on clothes, another 100-200 annually on regular shoes...

But also a lot more on running shoes, my gym membership, sewing supplies, Friday night hockey league, lunches and dinners out with friends.

I spend an average $250 or so a month on all that and sundry.

I spend very little on beauty ($30 cut at Great Cuts or whatever 2 x year, maybe $300 on clothes a year, and I don't use cosmetics - the whole family just uses Head and Shoulders and the same moisturizer and sunscreen so I don't count that as "mine"). But I do spend a great deal on myself - books, garden supplies, and gear for my sport. I just think different things make each of us happy. Since we aren't rolling in the dough I have to make choices, and I'd take a new book over a haircut any day.

Yes! This is exactly what I was saying. I keep seeing all these super low numbers, and they don't include the other things most of us are spending on, like books and hobbies. I'd also choose a new book over a haircut any day, but it's not like I'm not spending the money --- I'm just spending it on things that matter to me.

I check out dozens of books monthly from the library, but unless I return late, no fees. (About half are audiobooks, and half of the rest are electronic copies.)

My hobbies are the above running, rowing, dog-walking. Also rock-climbing, so maybe the gas money to get there?