How much do you spend on yourself each month?

[Anonymous]

I recently talked to my girlfriend about how I have to start taking care of myself again. I kind of let myself go for the first year after DC was born. So, we're talking and she gave me a rundown of what she does and how much it costs. She spends $1500 A MONTH! 800 of that is on her hair alone! I can't tell you how shocked I was. I've got no idea what she's having done to her hair for $200 a week. Anyway, before DC was born, I spent maybe $200 a month, more if I had to have a color touch up that month. My friend thinks I'm not "taking good care of myself" for that amount. So I started wondering how much other women spend on themselves. So what's your number?

[Anonymous]

Does your friend have children? Either way, spending $1500 a month on hair is either a lie or she has some sort of hair condition that requires constant monitoring. That's absurd.

What I spend on myself can vary. Could be nothing; could be $100+. Average is probably about $50.

[Anonymous]

Most months I spend nothing. I get my haircut twice a year and buy clothes/makeup when I feel like I need them. It probably averages out to $50-$75 a month.

[Anonymous]

define what counts as spending money on yourself.

I spend $25 a month on hair cut. But I also buy shampoo and conditioner, and mousse...do those count?
How about deoderant? shaving cream and razers?
exercise class? books?

[Anonymous]

Probably averages to $150 per month incl. clothes and haicuts. Can't think of anything else I buy for myself.

[Anonymous]

According to our big spreadsheet, I have spent about $100 so far this year on hair, clothes and shoes. If we had more, I would spend more. My ability to spend money is off the charts but is constrained by reality.

"Taking care of myself" is mostly about finding the time to sleep, get some exercise and be in a supportive community (church). These things don't cost a lot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:define what counts as spending money on yourself.

I spend $25 a month on hair cut. But I also buy shampoo and conditioner, and mousse...do those count?
How about deoderant? shaving cream and razers?
exercise class? books?

Things like haircuts/maintenance, massages, exercise classes, spa treatments, things like that. Not really clothes, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does your friend have children? Either way, spending $1500 a month on hair is either a lie or she has some sort of hair condition that requires constant monitoring. That's absurd.

What I spend on myself can vary. Could be nothing; could be $100+. Average is probably about $50.

She has 3 kids. She says she spends $200 a week on her hair. Sounds like a lot to me. I can't think of anything that costs that much per week.

[Anonymous]

I also get my hair cut only 2 or 3 times a year, don't need color yet, don't bother with mani/pedis. I do spend some money on my face & skin, but not on expensive creams. I use drugstore moisturizers, retinol, and glycolic acid. I have started dropping $ on lasering off age spots and getting restylane injections. I've only done it a few times and have spent maybe $3,000 over the course of 2 years.

Other than that, I "take care of myself" by eating right, exercising regularly, and wearing clothes that flatter my pear-shaped figure. That doesn't take that much money.

I definitely don't feel like I've let myself go if I don't spend hundreds a month on hair, nails, and clothes. And it seems most people think that I look pretty good for my age. So, if $800/month on hair seems outrageous to you, don't think that that's what you have to do to take care of yourself and look your best. Healthy food, exercise, and giving yourself some "me time" is going to make more of a difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She has 3 kids. She says she spends $200 a week on her hair. Sounds like a lot to me. I can't think of anything that costs that much per week.

Man, that is the life. We have two kids and our budget for groceries, eating out and household stuff from Giant is $200 a week.

It's not a competition. Spend no more than what you have and figure out for yourself what taking care of yourself really means.

[Anonymous]

If she gets her hair straightened every six weeks at a pricier salon, plus colors/highlights every four, not to mention the cut itself and tips, that adds up to the ballpark figure she mentioned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does your friend have children? Either way, spending $1500 a month on hair is either a lie or she has some sort of hair condition that requires constant monitoring. That's absurd.

What I spend on myself can vary. Could be nothing; could be $100+. Average is probably about $50.

She has 3 kids. She says she spends $200 a week on her hair. Sounds like a lot to me. I can't think of anything that costs that much per week.

Ah...gotcha, but my position remains the same. $800 on hair! If I were going to waste money, I'd rather take a mini-vacation somewhere every month.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If she gets her hair straightened every six weeks at a pricier salon, plus colors/highlights every four, not to mention the cut itself and tips, that adds up to the ballpark figure she mentioned.

Except the friend goes every week. Who does that much stuff to their hair in a week? Her hair either looks fabulous or completely fried.

[Anonymous]

Does vacation count? I don't spend $ on hair, but I love our summer vacations.

[Anonymous]

OP, some people require a lot more time and $ to look good than others. Just be glad you don't need it!