To think being a woman costs more?

Skincare is the biggest sucker ever. You age. You’re meant to age. Water from the tap, a mild soap if you need it, and a simple moisturiser.

I totally agree with this. I was watching a shopping channel recently (I was bored, and waiting for another programme to start) anyway, they were trying to sell some face cream, or other. I could not believe what they were claiming that this expensive pot of goo could do. It was a feat of their selling skills, I suppose, that they made it sound like a Woman would wake up, looking like Snow White, no matter if she was over 50. It sold out, why do Women fall for this overpriced hype?

I don"t get waxed, manicures, Botox, fillers or posh haircuts. But I travel solo across the world and need to stay in better hotels so I don't get raped.
I realise travelling solo is a choice...but I don't see why I shouldn't.

Yes I would say it does - aside from the above you have mentioned which you do not have to do, it is known informally as the ‘pink tax’. Products marketed towards women - usually pink ones! - like toiletries, razors etc are typically are more expensive, let alone period products and the tax on them, underwear etc.

I don't do bikini waxes, my 60 denier tights last me for years - men probably spend more on shaving than I do on tights and underwear (don't own any 'lingerie' and would imagine it would be very scratchy), and I haven't taken a taxi for ages.

This stuff is genuinely your choice to spend money on.

It doesn’t cost more to be a woman. It costs more to be a sucker

This!!

Well said.

Too right it does. I decided to order 6 months' supply of period products from my local authority....usually free....

Not any more! Getting charged a fee for delivery to my home! Effing ridiculous! Just because I am female and have periods. I didn't ask for them.

This rule has just come into place from April this year. Very unfair. They should be free even if you don't have a disability.

Pink Tax is a real thing.

Bikini waxes, taxis, tights - all optional.

Hair cuts - basic living, unless you're having umpteen cuts and colours per year then it becomes luxury.

Lingerie - knickers and bras are basic living but again, no need to spend big bucks. If you do, that's luxury spending.

It does cost more. It’s called the pink tax. Lots of equivalent products (deodorants, shampoo, jeans etc) are more expensive for women.

Coop study suggested it’s 40% more for women - https://www.co-operativebank.co.uk/content-hub/articles-and-advice/pink-tax-women-paying-more-for-their-essentials/

I bought a Mooncup in 2018 and it is still going strong. It was £20.

The pill is free. Sanitary protection doesn't cost much and can be bought with grocery shopping.

OK bras cost more but is still subjective. If you're claiming that you need several bras a year from Rigby & Peller, then you're clearly stretching the truth somewhat, likewise £50 a month waxing, salon hair colouring or make up are all choices not essential.

Waxing - a choice
Razors - men use too
Lingerie - fair enough, we need to buy a few bras.
Hair - beyond a basic cut, which men have too, it’s fun money. Or cut your own and save money. No need to dye it or spend money on expensive styling.
Manicures - fun money, totally unnecessary.
Makeup - fun money, totally unnecessary
Skincare - was your face with an appropriate soap and water, or just water.
Extra clothes - fun money, we need no more than men do.
Accessories - initial cost but good items last decades.
Sanitary wear - a few quid a month, less if you invest in reusable.
Tights - good tights (Snag) last years so it’s hardly breaking the bank.

It comes down to the way women are sucked into commercialism. Buy one or 2 quality items a year, build a long term wardrobe. Don’t buy bags of polyester tat every season. Hair, makeup, etc - wash your hair, brush your hair and wash your face. War paint is not mandatory. Skincare is the biggest sucker ever. You age. You’re meant to age. Water from the tap, a mild soap if you need it, and a simple moisturiser. My husband spends more on skincare than me cause he has dry eczema. A vial of rosehip oil costs me <£20 and will last 6 months. ‘Self care’ isn’t about spending money.

It doesn’t cost more to be a woman. It costs more to be a sucker.

You are going to get all the posters who never go out after dark and wear nothing but hideous Molke bras.

I agree with you.

Annoyingly your theory is correct but your argument is wrong.

So you and DH are both correct.

The things you’ve listed are not mandatory.

I know many men who get waxed, but ridiculously expensive products and clothes, go to the barbers much more regularly than women etc.
But these are all choices, like yours are.

However, women’s products do tend to be more expensive, so do the clothes.
We also have periods and need san pro, painkillers, new underwear or sheets sometimes. We also use more toilet roll and more shampoo. And we need bras.

So yes being a woman is more expensive but most of the things that you have listed are optional, so your DH would have had a point.

Hairdressers versus barbers, such a huge cost difference!

More the fools that pay extra by buying the pink option when a black option does the same job.

Is your OH complaining about your spending g and you are desperately trying to convince your budger should be higher because women's needs are higher?

I've also got a fairly big bust. My last bra cost £6 because Asda sports bras do the perfect job and are always in the sale 🤣

I agree it’s not the norm but it is optional. I doubt men in these roles dye or professionally style their hair. It’s time women stopped being like sheep and conforming to these expectations.

Is this your re arguing with your husband about how much disposable income you each have and throwing in you need a bikini wax and lingerie as part of it. I mean is he asking you to do that stuf?

Bras and period stuff, not to mention the pill.

Odd that bikini waxes seem to feature higher than childcare....that's Mumsnet for you.😎

Bikini wax?
hairdressers?
tights?
taxis after dark?

I do buy underwear but Molke bras whilst be pricy do last for years and years

thw way you choose to be a woman is clearly expensive but none of it is fundamental

Get an epilator for the bikini line.

I agree that I wouldn’t walk home in the dark but I would normally drive and not drink. I’m not much of a drinker anyway.

I don’t have much money at the moment so I wouldn’t buy lingerie. If my partner wants me to wear it then he can buy it. If not then I won’t.

I think being female has a huge financial impact but that’s because my children’s dad just left them so I have brought them up myself with the bare minimum CSA. He has a better paid job than me as he has been able to focus on promotion as he never had childcare to worry about. He never took equal responsibility for the children.

So I don’t think I spend more day fo day but I struggle for money as I try to give my children (who are now teens) the best without much input from their dad. So I don’t have the money to get my hair cut. My friend does it for me. She is a nurse not a hairdresser.

Their dad has more money for things for himself because he doesn’t prioritise our children.

I wouldn’t swap though.