How Much Money do you Spend on Yourself per Month?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for all the info. So my intent was this...money used to be pretty free but do to various things with work, our HHI dropped. We kept our savings the same so the amount of discretionary cash dropped significantly. I used to do hair $270 every 6 weeks, mani and/or pedi every month in the summer a little less in the winter. I would but shoes and work out clothes whenever I felt like it. I used to spend on make up, lotions, etc. But now we don't have the money and when I entered in $300 a month, it wrecked the budget. So I'm trying to get it down so I was just wondering how much others spend to give me the motivation that I can cut it down to $200 a month let's say. I am in a part time role with Child care so my work clothes are jeans and sweaters, etc. I go to the gym a few times a week so I like my work out clothes, so I was interested to hear other's stories and see where I fit in. For sure I need to cut back on clothes. What I buy currently or even in the past was mostly wants and not needs but I'm having a hard time with whether or not hair, manis/pedis, and skin care is actually a need or a want. I think they are needs but it's interesting to see people only getting one or two haircuts a year, etc. or even not getting many manis. I understand that people prioritize and that's all good. I don't judge. I also buy books and garden and stuff like that but that's in another budget category and that's OK. What we are trying to do is determine how much I can get my salon budget down. So the people with massive budgets don't really help, but it was still good information. : ) Nice to dream.

Oh, there's no easy answers. I think it really depends on how legitimately tight the budget really is. If you're struggling to make your mortgage - obv you don't get manicures. If you're saving $1000 a month, and it'd be $970 with a manicure, you can probably get the manicure.

Yup. You probably have enough clothing right now that you could easily go a year or more without buying anything at all. I know I could, but I will almost certainly buy more clothes in the future anyway. Also, you really don't need anything grooming-wise other than some shampoo, bar soap, and lotion/chapstick for chapped hands and lips in the winter. Again, I'm definitely going to spend more than that, but it isn't a need. You need to figure out what you are willing to give up to meet your budget goals. Maybe you should look at some of the other discretionary budget categories to see if there is some room to cut those instead. For example, you could cut back on buying books and look really good when you go to the library instead!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^ NP here -- if you enjoy cutting your own hair, congrats to you and good luck with any kind of fashionable haircut on your own head. No way jeans from 1999 look good, doesn't matter if they cost $1000 back then and you've been licking them clean all this time. Plus wasn't that the era of wide wide jeans?? You don't think they look out of place? Or do they look so good because they've been on a hanger this whole time. What do you indulge in? I'm really curious.

PP you replied to. I'm French, and did not grow up here. Fashion does not mean following trends, it means finding things that suit your figure.

The old jeans are high-waisted and tapered to the ankle, which is not my favorite style, so rarely worn.
My point was to push back against this notion that people need to constantly buy new to "be fashionable", in your understanding of the word. As I said, that's not what fashion is about. The reason people are badly dressed is because they don't select pieces that look good for their body type.
I know exactly what looks good on me, and pick clothes accordingly. No one cares that they came from a second hand shop. What matters is that they flatter my shape. Cut is the most important criteria in clothing. Fabric quality comes second, and everything else (color, patterns) is extra. Most people usually reverse that order!

It's amazing how nasty some posters are about thrifty people. Let me return the compliment more gently: are some of you feeling defensive that you're spending so much and not looking as good as you wish? Then please think about what I wrote about cut and fabric. You have to take your time selecting clothes, which is difficult for really busy people. You have to have great posture, smile warmly, be confident. And lastly but not least, it helps to be slim. I know it's not politically correct to say, but any article of clothing will look more stylish on a slim body type than on a more rotund one.

What do I indulge in?
Daily: quality chocolates and teas, good books, spending time outside, educating my children, doing my work.
Once in a while: expensive vacations that I plan minutely and enjoy with my family.

No one is asking what do you indulge in, though I'm sure educating your children is a #blessed activity. This really isn't a competition about who can spend more or less, or who is living a better life. I think OP was just trying to get a realistic sense of what people spend for clothes, skin, hair, nails.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The jeans depend entirely on original quality, how well you take care of them, and how often they are in use. As far as the others -- can you not believe that some people enjoy doing these things for themselves? Must everyone be like you?

I like doing my own nails, cleaning my own house, all that. It isn't a hardship. It's a lovely, cozy, tidy feeling. I don't like other people in my space or doing intimate things for me. But I won't judge you for feeling otherwise. It's a wide world.

I also like having things I have a long relationship with. I don't feel like I am depriving myself. I indulge in other things. Why is that offensive, or hard to believe?

It's not offensive at all to think you love your stuff and hold onto it. In fact that's really inspiring. It's just hard to imagine how that works in a day to day, month to month way.

Your post suggests you don't wear the jeans very often. What do you wear day to day? Like can you give us a week's worth of your outfits? And does any of that stuff have to get replaced more often than once every 15 years? Sorry to get so obsessed with your spending and wardrobe habits. I am genuinely curious how it works.

It's my day off. I'm wearing one of a few pairs of soft wool slouch pants and a long-sleeved cotton shirt. Target underwear and socks, and a really good bra (Empreinte). If I weren't going out, I might wear cotton or linen pants and a camisole. For regular work at this time of the year, it's mostly long wool skirts, Target opaque tights, thin woven sweaters or silk blouses, and boots. Same Target underwear and good bras. I workout in yoga pants and t-shirts, and I don't mind if they are stretched out -- just clean.

On weekends, I'll wear shorter skirts and tights or tailored wool pants. If I'm going hiking, I wear jeans. I have several dozen skirts and a few dozen pants, and I hand-wash almost everything wool. Cotton and linen goes in the wash. There's enough to rotate through that I'll wear any one thing once every month or two, unless I really want to.

I haven't tracked how often I replace things, other than shoes and bras. But if I'm wearing something 5 or 6 times a year, given the seasons changing, it doesn't get very worn out -- and for professional things, everything I has is neutral classic. I wear frilly frou-frou stuff on the weekends and probably replace that more often.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
No one is asking what do you indulge in, though I'm sure educating your children is a #blessed activity. This really isn't a competition about who can spend more or less, or who is living a better life. I think OP was just trying to get a realistic sense of what people spend for clothes, skin, hair, nails.

DP. This was brought up, actually. She didn't bring it up out of nowhere.

Anonymous wrote: … What do you indulge in? I'm really curious.

And OP wasn't trying to get a sense of what everyone spends. She asked "I'm wondering what is a normal monthly budget for a woman who doesn't have to dress to impress (part time child care) taking into account...hair, nails, make up, skin products, and things like that and then also clothes, shoes, etc. and whatever else I'm missing."

Then there was a least one person critical because "No way a woman in any professional, client facing role can get away with spending less than $100-200/month at minimum." Right. The toddlers aren't all that concerned whether or not your highlights are up to snuff. That's not the point of the thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The jeans depend entirely on original quality, how well you take care of them, and how often they are in use. As far as the others -- can you not believe that some people enjoy doing these things for themselves? Must everyone be like you?

I like doing my own nails, cleaning my own house, all that. It isn't a hardship. It's a lovely, cozy, tidy feeling. I don't like other people in my space or doing intimate things for me. But I won't judge you for feeling otherwise. It's a wide world.

I also like having things I have a long relationship with. I don't feel like I am depriving myself. I indulge in other things. Why is that offensive, or hard to believe?

It's not offensive at all to think you love your stuff and hold onto it. In fact that's really inspiring. It's just hard to imagine how that works in a day to day, month to month way.

Your post suggests you don't wear the jeans very often. What do you wear day to day? Like can you give us a week's worth of your outfits? And does any of that stuff have to get replaced more often than once every 15 years? Sorry to get so obsessed with your spending and wardrobe habits. I am genuinely curious how it works.

It's my day off. I'm wearing one of a few pairs of soft wool slouch pants and a long-sleeved cotton shirt. Target underwear and socks, and a really good bra (Empreinte). If I weren't going out, I might wear cotton or linen pants and a camisole. For regular work at this time of the year, it's mostly long wool skirts, Target opaque tights, thin woven sweaters or silk blouses, and boots. Same Target underwear and good bras. I workout in yoga pants and t-shirts, and I don't mind if they are stretched out -- just clean.

On weekends, I'll wear shorter skirts and tights or tailored wool pants. If I'm going hiking, I wear jeans. I have several dozen skirts and a few dozen pants, and I hand-wash almost everything wool. Cotton and linen goes in the wash. There's enough to rotate through that I'll wear any one thing once every month or two, unless I really want to.

I haven't tracked how often I replace things, other than shoes and bras. But if I'm wearing something 5 or 6 times a year, given the seasons changing, it doesn't get very worn out -- and for professional things, everything I has is neutral classic. I wear frilly frou-frou stuff on the weekends and probably replace that more often.

I am going to assume you are for real and not just pulling everyone's legs here. If your wardrobe is expansive enough that each item only gets worn a handful of times a year, then you have a HUGE wardrobe - and if lasts year after year, presumably you dropped some $ on clothes at some point in your life. And even Target underwear and tights have to get replaced sometimes. I know this because I wear comparable stuff and a couple of times a year I have to stock up. Underwear isn't my biggest clothing expense but I don't see how you're spending $20 a month on clothes and beauty products if you have to replace your underwear sometimes, and tights and all that other stuff. Even the cheapest underwear costs some money.

I feel like you're either joking or I'm getting way overly pedantic and literal here. It just seems absurd to claim to spend so little while also boasting that your clothes don't get worn more than once a month.

[Anonymous]

Hair Cuts: $100/year
Coloring: $0
Nails: $0
Beauty Products: $120/year
Work Clothes: $500/year
Casual Clothes: $150/year
Work Shoes: $100/year
Casual Shoes: $100/year
Athletic Apparel: $60/year

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The jeans depend entirely on original quality, how well you take care of them, and how often they are in use. As far as the others -- can you not believe that some people enjoy doing these things for themselves? Must everyone be like you?

I like doing my own nails, cleaning my own house, all that. It isn't a hardship. It's a lovely, cozy, tidy feeling. I don't like other people in my space or doing intimate things for me. But I won't judge you for feeling otherwise. It's a wide world.

I also like having things I have a long relationship with. I don't feel like I am depriving myself. I indulge in other things. Why is that offensive, or hard to believe?

It's not offensive at all to think you love your stuff and hold onto it. In fact that's really inspiring. It's just hard to imagine how that works in a day to day, month to month way.

Your post suggests you don't wear the jeans very often. What do you wear day to day? Like can you give us a week's worth of your outfits? And does any of that stuff have to get replaced more often than once every 15 years? Sorry to get so obsessed with your spending and wardrobe habits. I am genuinely curious how it works.

It's my day off. I'm wearing one of a few pairs of soft wool slouch pants and a long-sleeved cotton shirt. Target underwear and socks, and a really good bra (Empreinte). If I weren't going out, I might wear cotton or linen pants and a camisole. For regular work at this time of the year, it's mostly long wool skirts, Target opaque tights, thin woven sweaters or silk blouses, and boots. Same Target underwear and good bras. I workout in yoga pants and t-shirts, and I don't mind if they are stretched out -- just clean.

On weekends, I'll wear shorter skirts and tights or tailored wool pants. If I'm going hiking, I wear jeans. I have several dozen skirts and a few dozen pants, and I hand-wash almost everything wool. Cotton and linen goes in the wash. There's enough to rotate through that I'll wear any one thing once every month or two, unless I really want to.

I haven't tracked how often I replace things, other than shoes and bras. But if I'm wearing something 5 or 6 times a year, given the seasons changing, it doesn't get very worn out -- and for professional things, everything I has is neutral classic. I wear frilly frou-frou stuff on the weekends and probably replace that more often.

I am going to assume you are for real and not just pulling everyone's legs here. If your wardrobe is expansive enough that each item only gets worn a handful of times a year, then you have a HUGE wardrobe - and if lasts year after year, presumably you dropped some $ on clothes at some point in your life. [1] And even Target underwear and tights have to get replaced sometimes. I know this because I wear comparable stuff and a couple of times a year I have to stock up. Underwear isn't my biggest clothing expense but I don't see how you're spending $20 a month on clothes and beauty products if you have to replace your underwear [2] sometimes, and tights [3] and all that other stuff. Even the cheapest underwear costs some money.

I feel like you're either joking or I'm getting way overly pedantic and literal here. It just seems absurd to claim to spend so little while also boasting that your clothes don't get worn more than once a month. [4]

1. Thrift store and consignment, as I said before. Over the course of a couple of dozen years. 20% or 50% off days when a sweater costs $4-8, even if cashmere, saves a lot. Wool skirts at a similar price. Yes, it doesn't make for up-to-date fashion trends, but that isn't my style.

2. I buy really expensive bras that last about 3 years. They are $150-$250 and my biggest expense. I take care of them. Underwear for daily wear is mostly Hanes packs at $8.99 for a six-pack. I buy a couple packs a year.

3. I buy probably 4 sets of tights a year, maybe 6. I buy them on clearance at the end of winter. At my nearby Target, that's $1.99-3.99 each (and they are already cleared out for this season).

4. It took time and effort to build a wardrobe I really love. I'm not "boasting," and I'm not saying you should do it. I'm saying, in answers to questions, that it's what I did and what I like. It suits my life. I'm also not a slob or degenerate, and I'm not accusing anyone else of boasting about paying more or being more stylish. I've gone out of my way to acknowledge -- explicitly -- that there are a lot of ways to spend your money and be happy. Clothes and makeup just doesn't happen to be mine.

So, maybe one bra a year, often on sale at around $125Two packs of underwear at $18. 5 sets of tights on clearance at $10. Maybe a pair of new shoes, but through a place like Zappos or DSW -- I got two pairs of boots this year for about $10 each, so $20. Makeup was gloss for about $6 and Neutrogena BB-ish Cream with SPF at about $13. That averages out to about $16 per month. I also bought some hair mousse, Argan oil, and pedicure supplies, so maybe another $30 more? And gym socks, so say $12 more. That's an average of $19.5 a month.

Initially I quoted someone who mentioned $20 a month and someone who mentioned $70, and I said I was in that range. The extra $600 would typically be for one-time purchases some years, or an extra bra or something. When I was younger and had built up less, I replaced things more often, too.

I'm listing it because you (or someone above) said they were truly curious about the details, and you mention being overly pedantic.

This is just what I happen to do. I have never said it was a superior or better choice, and I have never said you or anyone else ought to do it, too. I've also never mentioned this on DCUM in the last 4 years I've been here, because it never was relevant. It's not something to brag about -- it just is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The jeans depend entirely on original quality, how well you take care of them, and how often they are in use. As far as the others -- can you not believe that some people enjoy doing these things for themselves? Must everyone be like you?

I like doing my own nails, cleaning my own house, all that. It isn't a hardship. It's a lovely, cozy, tidy feeling. I don't like other people in my space or doing intimate things for me. But I won't judge you for feeling otherwise. It's a wide world.

I also like having things I have a long relationship with. I don't feel like I am depriving myself. I indulge in other things. Why is that offensive, or hard to believe?

It's not offensive at all to think you love your stuff and hold onto it. In fact that's really inspiring. It's just hard to imagine how that works in a day to day, month to month way.

Your post suggests you don't wear the jeans very often. What do you wear day to day? Like can you give us a week's worth of your outfits? And does any of that stuff have to get replaced more often than once every 15 years? Sorry to get so obsessed with your spending and wardrobe habits. I am genuinely curious how it works.

It's my day off. I'm wearing one of a few pairs of soft wool slouch pants and a long-sleeved cotton shirt. Target underwear and socks, and a really good bra (Empreinte). If I weren't going out, I might wear cotton or linen pants and a camisole. For regular work at this time of the year, it's mostly long wool skirts, Target opaque tights, thin woven sweaters or silk blouses, and boots. Same Target underwear and good bras. I workout in yoga pants and t-shirts, and I don't mind if they are stretched out -- just clean.

On weekends, I'll wear shorter skirts and tights or tailored wool pants. If I'm going hiking, I wear jeans. I have several dozen skirts and a few dozen pants, and I hand-wash almost everything wool. Cotton and linen goes in the wash. There's enough to rotate through that I'll wear any one thing once every month or two, unless I really want to.

I haven't tracked how often I replace things, other than shoes and bras. But if I'm wearing something 5 or 6 times a year, given the seasons changing, it doesn't get very worn out -- and for professional things, everything I has is neutral classic. I wear frilly frou-frou stuff on the weekends and probably replace that more often.

I am going to assume you are for real and not just pulling everyone's legs here. If your wardrobe is expansive enough that each item only gets worn a handful of times a year, then you have a HUGE wardrobe - and if lasts year after year, presumably you dropped some $ on clothes at some point in your life. [1] And even Target underwear and tights have to get replaced sometimes. I know this because I wear comparable stuff and a couple of times a year I have to stock up. Underwear isn't my biggest clothing expense but I don't see how you're spending $20 a month on clothes and beauty products if you have to replace your underwear [2] sometimes, and tights [3] and all that other stuff. Even the cheapest underwear costs some money.

I feel like you're either joking or I'm getting way overly pedantic and literal here. It just seems absurd to claim to spend so little while also boasting that your clothes don't get worn more than once a month. [4]

1. Thrift store and consignment, as I said before. Over the course of a couple of dozen years. 20% or 50% off days when a sweater costs $4-8, even if cashmere, saves a lot. Wool skirts at a similar price. Yes, it doesn't make for up-to-date fashion trends, but that isn't my style.

2. I buy really expensive bras that last about 3 years. They are $150-$250 and my biggest expense. I take care of them. Underwear for daily wear is mostly Hanes packs at $8.99 for a six-pack. I buy a couple packs a year.

3. I buy probably 4 sets of tights a year, maybe 6. I buy them on clearance at the end of winter. At my nearby Target, that's $1.99-3.99 each (and they are already cleared out for this season).

4. It took time and effort to build a wardrobe I really love. I'm not "boasting," and I'm not saying you should do it. I'm saying, in answers to questions, that it's what I did and what I like. It suits my life. I'm also not a slob or degenerate, and I'm not accusing anyone else of boasting about paying more or being more stylish. I've gone out of my way to acknowledge -- explicitly -- that there are a lot of ways to spend your money and be happy. Clothes and makeup just doesn't happen to be mine.

So, maybe one bra a year, often on sale at around $125Two packs of underwear at $18. 5 sets of tights on clearance at $10. Maybe a pair of new shoes, but through a place like Zappos or DSW -- I got two pairs of boots this year for about $10 each, so $20. Makeup was gloss for about $6 and Neutrogena BB-ish Cream with SPF at about $13. That averages out to about $16 per month. I also bought some hair mousse, Argan oil, and pedicure supplies, so maybe another $30 more? And gym socks, so say $12 more. That's an average of $19.5 a month.

Initially I quoted someone who mentioned $20 a month and someone who mentioned $70, and I said I was in that range. The extra $600 would typically be for one-time purchases some years, or an extra bra or something. When I was younger and had built up less, I replaced things more often, too.

I'm listing it because you (or someone above) said they were truly curious about the details, and you mention being overly pedantic.

This is just what I happen to do. I have never said it was a superior or better choice, and I have never said you or anyone else ought to do it, too. I've also never mentioned this on DCUM in the last 4 years I've been here, because it never was relevant. It's not something to brag about -- it just is.

well my hat's off to you - sounds like you've built up a great wardrobe for yourself without the cost you would expect.

[Anonymous]

I grew up very poor in a relatively wealthy family, overall. My taste was much better than my wallet.

It took lot of time. The doing of it, or the living it later, would depress a lot of people. So, à chacun son gout. That's all a-okay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The jeans depend entirely on original quality, how well you take care of them, and how often they are in use. As far as the others -- can you not believe that some people enjoy doing these things for themselves? Must everyone be like you?

I like doing my own nails, cleaning my own house, all that. It isn't a hardship. It's a lovely, cozy, tidy feeling. I don't like other people in my space or doing intimate things for me. But I won't judge you for feeling otherwise. It's a wide world.

I also like having things I have a long relationship with. I don't feel like I am depriving myself. I indulge in other things. Why is that offensive, or hard to believe?

It's not offensive at all to think you love your stuff and hold onto it. In fact that's really inspiring. It's just hard to imagine how that works in a day to day, month to month way.

Your post suggests you don't wear the jeans very often. What do you wear day to day? Like can you give us a week's worth of your outfits? And does any of that stuff have to get replaced more often than once every 15 years? Sorry to get so obsessed with your spending and wardrobe habits. I am genuinely curious how it works.

It's my day off. I'm wearing one of a few pairs of soft wool slouch pants and a long-sleeved cotton shirt. Target underwear and socks, and a really good bra (Empreinte). If I weren't going out, I might wear cotton or linen pants and a camisole. For regular work at this time of the year, it's mostly long wool skirts, Target opaque tights, thin woven sweaters or silk blouses, and boots. Same Target underwear and good bras. I workout in yoga pants and t-shirts, and I don't mind if they are stretched out -- just clean.

On weekends, I'll wear shorter skirts and tights or tailored wool pants. If I'm going hiking, I wear jeans. I have several dozen skirts and a few dozen pants, and I hand-wash almost everything wool. Cotton and linen goes in the wash. There's enough to rotate through that I'll wear any one thing once every month or two, unless I really want to.

I haven't tracked how often I replace things, other than shoes and bras. But if I'm wearing something 5 or 6 times a year, given the seasons changing, it doesn't get very worn out -- and for professional things, everything I has is neutral classic. I wear frilly frou-frou stuff on the weekends and probably replace that more often.

I am going to assume you are for real and not just pulling everyone's legs here. If your wardrobe is expansive enough that each item only gets worn a handful of times a year, then you have a HUGE wardrobe - and if lasts year after year, presumably you dropped some $ on clothes at some point in your life. [1] And even Target underwear and tights have to get replaced sometimes. I know this because I wear comparable stuff and a couple of times a year I have to stock up. Underwear isn't my biggest clothing expense but I don't see how you're spending $20 a month on clothes and beauty products if you have to replace your underwear [2] sometimes, and tights [3] and all that other stuff. Even the cheapest underwear costs some money.

I feel like you're either joking or I'm getting way overly pedantic and literal here. It just seems absurd to claim to spend so little while also boasting that your clothes don't get worn more than once a month. [4]

1. Thrift store and consignment, as I said before. Over the course of a couple of dozen years. 20% or 50% off days when a sweater costs $4-8, even if cashmere, saves a lot. Wool skirts at a similar price. Yes, it doesn't make for up-to-date fashion trends, but that isn't my style.

2. I buy really expensive bras that last about 3 years. They are $150-$250 and my biggest expense. I take care of them. Underwear for daily wear is mostly Hanes packs at $8.99 for a six-pack. I buy a couple packs a year.

3. I buy probably 4 sets of tights a year, maybe 6. I buy them on clearance at the end of winter. At my nearby Target, that's $1.99-3.99 each (and they are already cleared out for this season).

4. It took time and effort to build a wardrobe I really love. I'm not "boasting," and I'm not saying you should do it. I'm saying, in answers to questions, that it's what I did and what I like. It suits my life. I'm also not a slob or degenerate, and I'm not accusing anyone else of boasting about paying more or being more stylish. I've gone out of my way to acknowledge -- explicitly -- that there are a lot of ways to spend your money and be happy. Clothes and makeup just doesn't happen to be mine.

So, maybe one bra a year, often on sale at around $125Two packs of underwear at $18. 5 sets of tights on clearance at $10. Maybe a pair of new shoes, but through a place like Zappos or DSW -- I got two pairs of boots this year for about $10 each, so $20. Makeup was gloss for about $6 and Neutrogena BB-ish Cream with SPF at about $13. That averages out to about $16 per month. I also bought some hair mousse, Argan oil, and pedicure supplies, so maybe another $30 more? And gym socks, so say $12 more. That's an average of $19.5 a month.

Initially I quoted someone who mentioned $20 a month and someone who mentioned $70, and I said I was in that range. The extra $600 would typically be for one-time purchases some years, or an extra bra or something. When I was younger and had built up less, I replaced things more often, too.

I'm listing it because you (or someone above) said they were truly curious about the details, and you mention being overly pedantic.

This is just what I happen to do. I have never said it was a superior or better choice, and I have never said you or anyone else ought to do it, too. I've also never mentioned this on DCUM in the last 4 years I've been here, because it never was relevant. It's not something to brag about -- it just is.

How are you getting these prices?
A six pack of Hanes under wear is $16.99 at Target, not $8.99. You are underestimating by 50%. https://www.target.com/s?searchTerm=womens+hanes+underwear+6+pack
And tights for $2 a pair at Target? I'm in Target about every other week and wear tights all the time and I've never seen them at this price. Never. Even when they red sticker them they're down by a few dollars. Not to $2 a pair.

So now I suppose you'll tell me that you just happened upon Target the one day a year (or decade) that they're clearing out their tights at $2 a pair and the OTHER one day a year they have their underwear on sale for 50% off.
AND you happen upon fabulous boots at Zappos for $10 and armloads of fabulous cashmere sweaters at the thift store for $4 each.

I don't believe a thing you're saying. And if any of it is true, I would rather have the time back then have to be reading the Target circular weekly to find the once yearly 50% off sale on Hanes.

[Anonymous]

So much anger. Or am I misreading you?

I don't obsessively track sales. I don't think about clothing much anymore. I googled to figure out the price. It probably reflects my location now, which is not the DC metro area.



As for high quality clothes, as I said, I've been doing this for a couple of decades. I spend the money when I see a really sweet deal -- that's why I bought two pairs of boots this year. It's not because I need both.

Why does this make you so emotional? It's just stuff. It's not a criticism of you. And it's just answering questions -- I'm not coming from left field to harangue you for your choices.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for all the info. So my intent was this...money used to be pretty free but do to various things with work, our HHI dropped. We kept our savings the same so the amount of discretionary cash dropped significantly. I used to do hair $270 every 6 weeks, mani and/or pedi every month in the summer a little less in the winter. I would but shoes and work out clothes whenever I felt like it. I used to spend on make up, lotions, etc. But now we don't have the money and when I entered in $300 a month, it wrecked the budget. So I'm trying to get it down so I was just wondering how much others spend to give me the motivation that I can cut it down to $200 a month let's say. I am in a part time role with Child care so my work clothes are jeans and sweaters, etc. I go to the gym a few times a week so I like my work out clothes, so I was interested to hear other's stories and see where I fit in. For sure I need to cut back on clothes. What I buy currently or even in the past was mostly wants and not needs but I'm having a hard time with whether or not hair, manis/pedis, and skin care is actually a need or a want. I think they are needs but it's interesting to see people only getting one or two haircuts a year, etc. or even not getting many manis. I understand that people prioritize and that's all good. I don't judge. I also buy books and garden and stuff like that but that's in another budget category and that's OK. What we are trying to do is determine how much I can get my salon budget down. So the people with massive budgets don't really help, but it was still good information. : ) Nice to dream.

Manicures are not a need, nor are pedicures. Skin care is a rip off, you are getting old and dried up like a raisin. There is no magic lotion or soap that will stop that.

[Anonymous]

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?

[Anonymous]

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.