How do people manage on little money?

[istheheatingonyet]

Ive just spent the best part of £300 on getting my teeth cleaned by the hygenist, a weekly shop for 2 ( adult son also here temporarily) and getting my hair done.
Now I know the third is a total extra but it's one of my few extras.

How do people manage? it's madness.

I have gum disease (genetic). Interdental brushes, electric toothbrush and brush each surface at an angle for 4 seconds each. Soft bristle head as over brushing can damage gums too. High fluoride toothpaste on prescription and yes, hygienist is essential. NHS should sort those if necessary though which should cut costs.

I don't see the hygienist or get my hair done generally. Might go to supercuts but usually cut it myself

My hygienist costs just over £100 in Surrey. Also someone said only go if you have toothache. If you're lucky enough to have an NHS dentist you can get taken off their list if you don't get your check ups.

Haven't had my teeth looked at in years. Hoping that won't go wrong. We spend £200 on food for 2 adults and 1 child for a whole month (a lot of frozen fruit and veg and getting creative with tins and a LOT of repeated meals. Also a lot of bulking meals out with lentils etc). I went to the hairdressers today and spent £14.50 on a spray down and trim. I'll wash and dry it myself. All in Oxfordshire. We're very happy.

@WhoisRebecca Thanks I need to be more disciplined in this area. You are quite correct.

The hygienist is essential if you have poor teeth and gums and does save money in the long run - so give OP that.

I would lose my teeth if I didn’t which is a great motivator!

No don't ,just kick somebody, It's much more fun.

People suggesting you can save money by not going to the dentist obviously don’t have gum disease 😂

You’re being ripped off! I go to a naice private dentist in Greater London and my hygienist appointment last month was £72.

I used to have my teeth cleaned every year or two and 3 haircuts a year. Have done neither for the last 2 years... It's extras like eating out, buying new blankets/pillows etc that get put on hold. Back to a make do and mend mentality in this house anyway. We don't go out any more drinking either.

Looking after your teeth and eating are essential, having your hair done isn't, not if you are short of cash.
I live in the NW too, and there is an old-fashioned saying here, 'You cut your coat according to your cloth'.

People are ignoring the fact that tooth loss can be genetic. My DH doesn’t go to the hygienist ever. No gum disease and perfectly healthy teeth. My gums have receded despite interdental brushes every day, an electric toothbrush and 5000 ppm fluoride toothpaste. If I didn’t go the dentist or hygienist in two years I would be in pain and lose some teeth. So that isn’t a luxury but I would definitely try to get in on the NHS and ensure home care is top notch.

£50 here, South Coast.

With respect I also have teeth problems for the same reasons. I just suffered for years then eventually had them removed on the NHS. Being able to keep on top of the situation is also, sadly, a luxury. Being able to choose what you eat is a luxury, even if you "don't do well" if you don't eat good stuff. Neither do I doll but at one point rice and ketchup was all I had.

Like I said, not having a choice makes coping or dying the only options you have. That's an amazing motivator to cope.

My haircut only costs £19.50 every 8-10 weeks and I'm quite pleased with that.

I did a shop..£36 for 2 of us..got my haircut- wash and cut..£21..

I could probably ring round a few dentists and shave a tenner off the bill. These people at least are honourable and discouraged me from paying for a crown when an extraction is on the cards.

The hair....Mea Culpa.

yes the hygeinist is expensive
presumably you can afford your hair do

you are being obtuse

Another ‘I’m considerably richer than you’ post!

I've never seen a hygienist, I hate the dentist so no way would I sign up for extra treatment! My hair cost £30 every 6 months. My shop costs £80 a week for 2 adults

I don't have a hygienist, I pay £7 for a dry cut at home every 6 weeks (longer if I cant afford it), I have a very tight budget for food (£60 every 10 days for 1 adult, 2 teens). I meal plan every meal. Buy things when on offer, bulk buy, use less meat, batch cook etc.
You make do, don't go out much, prioritise, budget and plan. Basically live within your means.

Well one has to decide what is an unnecessary luxury and what is an essential when you’re on a tight budget. My finances have dive bombed over the last few years so hairdresser maybe once a year or less (no one, least of all me, cares what my hair looks like, nothing a hair band can’t fix)) , and only emergency teeth work. I’ve just cancelled my Tesco monthly subscription for deliveries and will go to Lidl for most of my shopping for the foreseeable future. I used to be able to afford lots of treats but things have changed and funnily enough I don’t miss it, well except for a pair of shoes I really, really want but just can’t afford to buy, I’ve been lusting after them since last winter 😕 I’ve just got really used to luxuries being really minor things now (a bar of nice chocolate can really do the trick). You cut your cloth and all that.

I don't go to the hairdressers, I only get a professional teeth clean before a major event (eg a wedding), and I shop (for four) at Aldi.