how much do you spend on yourself a month?

[ThreeBecameFour]

I don't think I spend a huge amount: make up from boots when it runs out (concealer, foundation, mascara, lipstick, blush), perfume is a gift at xmas for mil, clothing when needed but no labels (items usually under £40 or far less/high st - or if a more ££ item usually a gift), hair cut/highlights when absolutely needed (tried going back to natural colour to save money or use home dye - both of which were a disaster!), The odd massage when my back can't take the lugging about of a double buggy/holding baby any longer and I have turned into a hunchback (2 in last 6 months), maybe one or two pedicures in the summer (to turn the hooves I can't improve at home into baby feet)...I think I am pretty low maintenance but maybe I could be saving money?

A baby & toddler and being on mat leave is tightening my belt, but equally I want to look presentable!

So I am being nosey...

How much do you spend on yourself and what do you spend it on!? Or money saving tips please!

[MirandaWest]

I spend £30 on hair cut about every 2 months, so £15 a month. Spend about £4.50 on hair dye maybe every 6 weeks so about £3.25 a month. Seem to end up buying too many nail files - probably about £1.50 a month due to losing them. Spend about £1 a month overall on nail varnish averaged out over a year. Don't wear makeup.

Am trying to spend less

[MirandaWest]

Whoops

Trying to spend less

[MirandaWest]

I may give up.

Trying to spend less on clothes - have only bought one dress this year (cost £18). Slight hankering for a new bra (I like to wear nice ones which unfortunately cost a bit). Shouldn't hopefully need any more shoes this year.

[MrsSteptoe]

You don't sound high maintenance to me, if it's any help, although I do spend less than you - but that's probably because I make less effort with my appearance!
I wear far less makeup than I used to, so there's not a lot to replace - my biggest expense is probably lipstick, as I don't leave home without it.
I don't get my hair cut often enough, but then I have weeks on end of feeling rather skanky with too-long hair that I can't be bothered to wash, so I'm not sure it's really worth saving the money. As for massages, I currently have a killer neck and shoulders because I've had some extra work hours (over a computer) and I really need to see the chiropractor. Really, I should go, but I'm reluctant to spend the money. I think you're more sensible, to be honest.

My only money saving gift is that perfume allegedly lasts longer if you apply Vaseline to the pulse spots where you apply the scent. As a constant wearer of Chanel No 5 (courtesy of my adorable MIL, who keeps me stocked through Xmas and birthdays) I should really give it a shot myself!

[libertychick]

Hair about £50 per month, make up about £15-£20 per month (I don't wear lots but I buy expensive foundation, mascara etc), clothes average is £150 per month. Facials/mani/pedi about 2 per year so probably about £20 per month. Cleanser, moisturiser, eye cream etc probably about £20 per month - yikes it looks a lot when I write it all down like that....

[ProfPlumSpeaking]

£180 twice a year on my hair (cut and highlights), nothing on nails (just natural), about £5 a week on shampoo and conditioner, clothes shopping about twice a year when I probably spend £1500 on a nice outfit (eg last year bought a £900 coat and £500 boots). £150 pcm on the gym and £50pcm on other classes (pilates, running club etc). I have never had a pedicure or a manicure and have never paid for a massage (but had a couple free for one reason or another).

If you can afford what you spend and it makes you happy, then it seems perfectly reasonable.

[Theconstantlygardening]

Are you asking how much we spend or how to save money? Big difference!

I have to admit that my circumstances are very different to yours- both DCs now grown up so more money to spend.

This month I had a cut and colour, new foundation- B Brown- a couple of bras @ £25 each, so the whole lot came to around £300.

I probably spend around £50 a month average on skin care and make up- replacing what I use- never buying stuff that is wasted.

[cloudskitchen]

Probably more than I think but usually between 50 and 100 a month I would say. I probably get my hair cut every 6 months but then get a decent one of about £70. Hair dye every 4 weeks for about a fiver. 1 or 2 (or 3) items of clothing. Usually high street. If I get more up market items they're usually a gift. Barely spend on make up etc..

[Longdistance]

I get my hair cut about every 3 months. I was given Debenhams vouchers for Xmas and my Birthday. So those were spent on Clinique make up, and was given money to buy myself clothes from family.

I do get my nails done once a month.

[MrsDavidBowie]

Depends...on average
£90 every 5 weeks on cut and colour
£40 a month on facial
£60 a month gym/pilates

I spend as and when on clothes etc...some months it could be £200, others £500.

[lucyintheskywithdinos]

I spend very little. Usually £20 on lotions and potions, then about £100 on clothes 2/3 times a year. I don't wear make up or have my hair cut.

[AnaisB]

This month I have spent 30 on make-up, 80 on clothes/shoes, 30 on hair, 5 on a "bath melt." I think it's kind of typical for me, although may be distributed differently each month e.g. eyebrows threaded, perfume, or maybe a spa day one month but some months spending much less on clothes.

If you are looking for ways to save money then maybe pilates instead of massages, but if not then just enjoy!

[trufflehunterthebadger]

Hardly anything. I buy shampoo, tampons and that's about it. I rarely get my hair done and if I do it's at the local college. Got plenty of makeup, I only buy new when mascara/foundation runs out.

[Apatite1]

About 5k a year on clothes, maintenance and treats. Averages less than £500 a month but my spending is not even throughout the year at all.

[bunnymother]

I am about the same as libertychick re my spend.I think I might be a little over £200 per month on clothes, though. Its my weakness.

[BirthdayMuppet]

Very little here, certainly not on 'indulgences' anyway. Though I do have a dirty little Starbucks habit and can spend £20 a month in there very easily. I also have an £8 a month mail order coffee subscription. Hair is about £20 wet cut twice a year, rarely buy make up (once a year if that, the S&B folks would shriek in horror!), don't do massages, nails etc, don't buy magazines, day to day clothes are generally supermarket or bog standard high street, maybe £200 a year?. I buy a new winter coat when I need it - last one was £100 18 months ago, will prob need another one end of this year. Shoes I don't generally buy much, maybe a cheap pair of sandals a year and perhaps a pair of walking trainers, proper winter boots maybe once every two to three years?

I've spent quite a bit on exercise gear the past twelve months though, about £100 on running clothes and the same again on trainers, though won't need to replace the clothes for another year I reckon. Trainers will cost about £50 every four months with the mileage I do.

In general I buy only what I need, and only when I need it. I certainly don't buy fashion stuff and bever really have.

[purplemurple1]

Very little, I don't wear makeup, cut my own hair, don't go to a gym/classes, tend to live in a few key items of clothing from Tesco and a mens winter work clothing store. Wear trainers or work boots most of the time but have a couple of pairs of nice shoes from weddings I've been to which are worn about once a yr so no need for any new pairs.
Bras are my only big expense on account of my size and preference for having my boobs in the right geographcal location

Prob about a 5 to 10 a month.
We earn enough to spend more I just personally don't feel the need to.

[cosikitty]

Its a wonder the economy keeps going at all seeing as nobody spends anything.

I spend loads.

Hair- averages out at about £35 a month
Make-up- about £10 a month
Skincare- about £15 a month
Toiletries/shampoo etc. about £5
Clothes/shoes/accessories etc £50 (possibly more)
Books/magazines about £4
Perfume about £100 a year

[HelloBoys]

I buy stuff as and when it runs out - lotions are Avene and L'Occitane sunblock both day and botanics night cream.

I buy cleanser as and when and try to stockpile. Got garnier simply essentials now but also unopened clarins orange cleanser.

Concealer etc its as it runs out. Found I'd be buying new foundations not liking (boots but stuff like Rimmel etc) so now stick to Clinique! Same with mascara.

So I don't spend a ton on beauty stuff. Shampoo/conditioner I get through a lot maybe £15 a month?

Highlight hair every 10-12 weeks £90 and cut when it needs it (trying to grow) £40.

Main downfall clothes and shoes so have to rein that in!

[lottieandmia]

I have a facial (at a good price because I've known my therapist for years) and a hair cut every 8 weeks. I do not spend much on clothes - I make the sure children get what they need first of course.

[lottieandmia]

My make up is quite expensive but I don't need to replace it very often.

[Stinklebell]

Hair - £50 every 6 weeks for cut and colour (mates rates so a lot less that it should be) plus about a tenner for shampoo, styling stuff, etc

Make up - I don't really know, Clinique foundation which was about £25 last time I bought it but it probably lasts about 6 months. Rest of it is usually No7, but it lasts ages, nail varnish, I buy OPI from TK Maxx, I can't remember what I last spent - £150 a year tops maybe

Clothes - probably my biggest spend -I tend to go shopping maybe 3-4 times a year and spend a couple of hundred and then odd bits and pieces, may be £50-60 a month

Shoes - god, I dread to think what I've spent in the past, I've reigned it in now, not bought any for ages

Fake tan - a couple of £10 bottles over the summer

Don't do facials or spas or mani/pedi or anything like that

I don't think I'm too high maintenance

[AmberNectarine]

Oh millions.

I hate these threads - they make me look too closely at my spending.

[midnightagents]

Hair cut and roots £45 about every 7/8 months. In between £8 on DIY stuff half way through that period. Foundation runs out about every 3 months, that's £10 to replace. Mascara, eye liner, and blusher seems to last forever. Probably buy one every year to two years. New jeans about 2 pairs a year (£20 each so £40 a year). New pair of shoes every year approx £50. Face wipes and deodorant, and face cream whatever's on offer (about £5 a month in total). Shampoo and conditioner about 2 a year (only need to wash my hair once a week but buy expensive conditioner), so it's £10 every 4-5 months + £3 for shampoo. Shit I spend a lot- hasn't really realised til I put it all out like this! And occasionally will buy a new dress or something, very rare though! I'm on tax credits to top up my student grant so the daily mail would probably have a field day at my selfish spending.

[lynniep]

I don't spend that much on beauty. More on clothes but still not much. If theres an event coming up I have a splurge so I'd add about £200 onto this in total (thatstwo or three splurges a year).

Per month it probably divides into something like
Makeup and beauty and the odd lip wax : £10
Clothes, shoes and underwear:£30
Hair: £5 (because I only go every 6 months)
Facials & massages: £5

Actually thats £50 per month + the splurges, so thats more than I thought!