MM Realization

tigerfighter

So I just did the math today...my nail habit of getting gel manicures every 2 weeks (so every payday) with cost me $780 a year.  That is like a paying an extra month's of rent.  I decided that my next appointment will be my last one and maybe only go for a special treat now and then.

hoffse

Yup.  Those things are expensive....

I think you can now do gels on your own if you buy the right kit.  I have concerns with the UV curing though.

I rarely go to get my nails done, but I like for them to look nice.  I do splurge a bit on high-end regular nail polishes and do it myself.  I have a pretty wide collection of colors now and really have no reason to go get them done professionally unless it's just to treat myself.

Also watch groupon - manis/pedis pop up there a lot in my city.

tigerfighter

Yea.  I think I am going to start buying a bottle here and there...even splurge and get the foot spa machine.

Mom987

Woo hoo! It'll feel good to pay that towards something else.

vlagrl29

I never get my finger nails done because I always have to keep them short to play my instrument so it's not worth it to me.  BUT I do love a good pedicure and probably get 4 of those a year.

Xstatic3333

Those types of realizations are crazy! I remember a few years ago I realized I'd been spending over $1000 a year on Dunkin Donuts coffee. Never again!

hoffse

Xstatic3333 said:

Those types of realizations are crazy! I remember a few years ago I realized I'd been spending over $1000 a year on Dunkin Donuts coffee. Never again!

Well, Dunkin Donuts coffee is delicious though  JK

formerlyGDaisy09

So true! I was coloring my hair...which would end up costing $500/year (not terrible, but still).  I'll splurge on a pedicure in the summer...and always go for the ones where you get to keep the polish...I DIY in the winter when I'm needing a pick-me-up.  having your nails done alll the time can actually be bad for your nails. 

SmrBrd2012

Totally guilty of the Dunks overspending..I've been good lately though.

formerlyGDaisy09

I beat the DD habit when H got me a nice grind-and-brew programmable coffee maker as a gift (he doesn't drink coffee, but he cleans it for me every night) my caffine weakness is starbucks...they just opened one near here and when ever i drive by I have to stop. 

Xstatic3333

The crazy thing is, since I've stopped I don't really miss DD. We make our coffee at home now but get quality beans ($7-$10 a pound) and I like it sooo much better. If I do get a DD it's as a desert treat. No matter how much I say "milk and one sugar" I always end up with multiple sugars and heavy cream anyway.

ashleyjesse1112

Yay! I used to do my nails all the time too, but quit because of the cost. I now paint my own nails. Sometimes I get nail envy when I see others with cute gel/acrylic nails, but I always remind myself how much it would cost.

vlagrl29

I will have to start getting my hair colored before too long....keep getting grey hairs

orangehills

They are very expensive! I rarely get pedicures- only for a special treat, and only do my own nails. Look for groupons as well.

I know, most people do spend money like that on something they don't realize like massages, hair or coffee, etc. My problem is eating out- I've had to put a stop to it for the most part, we were spending way too much!

tigerfighter

and for my hair I am thinking of going back to my aunt (free), after my next appointment which is on the 8th.  So it will be my last hair and nail appointment.  I had stopped going to my aunt for a few months due to health issues with her and my uncle that are now getting better.  

VadersValkyrie

vlagrl29 said:

I will have to start getting my hair colored before too long....keep getting grey hairs

I found white hairs a few years ago, and I've just embraced them.  It's actually kind of liberating.

orangehills said:

I know, most people do spend money like that on something they don't realize like massages, hair or coffee, etc. My problem is eating out- I've had to put a stop to it for the most part, we were spending way too much!

I actually budget in a massage for my husband and me once a month.  I look at it as a mental health thing, although we don't go to a spa or anything fancy; we have a friend who is a licensed massage therapist, but we don't get special treatment on the pricing.  Eating out is our problem too.  Our schedules are off, so we don't eat at home together, and I don't like to cook for one, and I really can only eat the same meal so many times before I am super bored with it.

vlagrl29

VadersValkyrie said:

vlagrl29 said:

I will have to start getting my hair colored before too long....keep getting grey hairs

I found white hairs a few years ago, and I've just embraced them.  It's actually kind of liberating.

orangehills said:

I know, most people do spend money like that on something they don't realize like massages, hair or coffee, etc. My problem is eating out- I've had to put a stop to it for the most part, we were spending way too much!

I actually budget in a massage for my husband and me once a month.  I look at it as a mental health thing, although we don't go to a spa or anything fancy; we have a friend who is a licensed massage therapist, but we don't get special treatment on the pricing.  Eating out is our problem too.  Our schedules are off, so we don't eat at home together, and I don't like to cook for one, and I really can only eat the same meal so many times before I am super bored with it.

I wish it could be liberating but not so much for me....I have very dark brown almost black hair so white hair is really obvious especially when I straighten it.  

orangehills

I am extremely jealous.. I wish I could budget in a massage for myself! I just may, I do have my fun money after all.. good idea...!

VadersValkyrie

@vlagrl29: My hair is a dark brown too. I had a great aunt who went completely white in her 20's, and so I always prayed I'd go white instead of grey.  Apparently, that call was answered.

@orangehills: check around to see if any non-spa massage therapists offer an insurance discount.  I know some yoga studios rent spaces to massage therapists, and their rates tend to be better because they don't have to pay the spa first and then themselves.

Mom987

I also have grey hair sprout through and I'm only 26. I bought this and it actually works for the obvious grey pieces.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000AAAVS6?cache=c4c0e133e138593fd0faf7d7c0340308#ref=mp_s_a_1_1&qid=1393691540&sr=8-1

vlagrl29

Mom987 said:

I also have grey hair sprout through and I'm only 26. I bought this and it actually works for the obvious grey pieces. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000AAAVS6?cache=c4c0e133e138593fd0faf7d7c0340308#ref=mp_s_a_1_1&qid=1393691540&sr=8-1

This is cool.  I got my first white hair at 25 when I was student teaching and I use to pull it out every time it grew, but now there are so many that it doesn't make sense to pull them all out.

Wulfgar

MW usually dyes her own hair using the off the shelf products every now and again especially if she has too many grey ones.  That saves a lot of money versus getting it down at a hair dresser.