To not know how everyone has the money and time to have their nails done

[Beckywiththegoodnails]

Cost of living crisis - have you cut down on having nails done?
I was surprised on the engagement ring thread how many people had nails done. I’ve had to cut back on loads and I earn pretty well- nails are now a luxury
my small town has about 6 pop in salons in the town and they’re always full
aibu to not know how such a high proportion of people have nails done so regularly

Perhaps your DD should find a more reputable salon.
My nail technician grew up in the village where she now runs her own salon.

How will you ask her if she barely speaks English?

I will just shout loud enough, that usually works.

Because everything revolves around men apparently.

It was such a ridiculous comment.
My DH sends more a month on his football season ticket than I do on my nails but who cares as long as we can afford it and it's making us happy.

It’s an hour every 2-3 weeks and £30.

People always have money for coffees, wine, takeaways (none of which I spend money on) etc so why should nails be any different.
There was a thread last week where some people were spending over £300 a month on takeaways!

Completely unnecessary in my opinion. I put nail varnish on about once every two months. I like doing it myself and do a pretty good job myself. Had my nails done twice in.my life and was very disappointed by the results. At least it's one area of my life I don't need to worry about spending money on!

Can’t bear nail polish - my nails felt like they were suffocating!! Had them done as part of a facial treat - scratched it off when I got home!

I get my nails done once a month. BIAB and costs €50 (€55 including a tip). I don’t anything done with my hair bar a twice yearly trim by my friend. I don’t wear lashes so it’s the one thing I treat myself to. It takes an hour every 4 weeks and I get to have a nice coffee and chat with my nail tech who I’ve been going to years

I love having my nails done and it’s much easier to find an hour every few weeks than it is to spend twenty mins every week. It was the first thing to go when the CoL crisis started to affect us, I stopped getting mine done a few months ago. I do however spend £250 every two months on my hair and I don’t feel even a tiny bit guilty about it. I work my arse off and it’s one or the few things that is totally for me. I tried to do it myself once and ended up spending more getting it fixed so I won’t be doing that again.

My nail techs dad went to school with my dad so I’m pretty sure she wasn’t trafficked from anywhere except the next village over… oh no…

Always baffles me when they're interviewing a downcast looking mum on the news or whatever... Highlighting the cost of living crisis or rise in foodbanks etc ..and the fact she has to skip meals so her kids can eat etc... yet she's got fake nails, russian eye lashes and extensions 😂

Maybe it's just me who would prioritise eating over those things.

Then again I prioritise eating over most things....

I find it a strange one but I guess it comes down to priorities, I have the funds to go regularly but there are other things I'd rather spend my money on. Plus I think it's healthier to just have my nails buffed and use a good polish when I fancy, I can get fed up of the same colour after a couple of days and cannot stand the feeling of that dip when it starts to grow out.

I get my toes done every 2 months. Always did them myself, but last and look much better getting them done professionally. My nails I get a lighter colour done every 3/4 weeks. Biab as my nails are naturally weak. This makes me feel better, but I could go without if needed.

I love getting my nails done. Its about £25 every 3 weeks. I hate not having them looking nice.

On the other hand I drive a 10 year old car & don't understand why people replace their car every few years.

Different priorities

Arthritis in the hands.

Permanent nerve damage affecting control in one hand/arm.

Failing eyesight.

Lack of experience.

I got mine done every fortnight after leaving the ex - mainly for the satisfaction of having some agency over my own body for once. I'd never been allowed to have nail varnish because he had decided only whores wore the stuff (and policed it violently). Same went for highlights, haircuts, hairdye, makeup, perfume, sandals and strappy tops - but nail varnish was the thing that made him shake with fury - and was both cheaper than all the others but involved somebody touching my hands, the most external/'safest' part of me, in a gentle and controlled manner.

As far as luxury feeling treats go it’s a pretty small expense. When I used to keep up with my nails about a year ago it was a £20/£25 expensive every 3-4 weeks.

It won't be every salon but it is a problem

www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/21/what-does-your-10-manicure-really-cost-the-unvarnished-truth-about-nail-bars?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

Most of my life I didn’t get my nails done. Didn’t bother me. But I found myself admiring other people’s neat and nicely coloured nails and I’ve been getting BIAB gel done for about a year or more. And now my nails always look nice (to me, anyway). it’s £40 and 1 hour every 3 weeks or so. I don’t get any fancy patterns. I like choosing the colour. A seemingly high maintenance habit that I think is actually low maintenance. I wouldn’t spend it if I was compromising something more important but I’m not so that’s fine.

I have time and money and would consider getting my nails done a waste of both.
As long as they’re clean and short.

YANBU I can’t have my nails done.

Everyone? I think you mean some people.

and how does anyone afford anything?

It’s not remotely comparable at all. You can’t paint your nails with polish at home and have it last over 3 week. In fact if you did keep up with painting your nails over a 3 week period you would spend more time than the one professional appointment anyway.

I try to push mine to every 4 weeks but it's essential for me. My partner learned how to do it for he during lockdown but he doesn't want to carry on now. It's £43 a month, I don't drink smoke or drive a car. I can afford it. Timewise it's 45 mins a month.

A lot of people do their own. I do my own gels and they look just as good as when I used to have them done in a salon.

They are not backwater holes in the wall - I could point out probably more than 30-40 shops like this within a 5 mile radius. Some in listed buildings, some on main streets - all the same MO.

YANBU. Expense aside, I absolutely couldn't be arsed! I think natural nails look fine anyway.