Money Matters

MM Realization

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.

Re: MM Realization

  • 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.
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  • Yea.  I think I am going to start buying a bottle here and there...even splurge and get the foot spa machine.
  • Woo hoo! It'll feel good to pay that towards something else. :)
  • 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.
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  • 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!
  • 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. 

    Me: 28 H: 30
    Married 07/14/2012
    TTC #1 January 2015
    BFP! 3/27/15 Baby Girl!! EDD:12/7/2015
  • Totally guilty of the Dunks overspending..I've been good lately though. :)
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  • 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. 
    Me: 28 H: 30
    Married 07/14/2012
    TTC #1 January 2015
    BFP! 3/27/15 Baby Girl!! EDD:12/7/2015
  • 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.
  • 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. :)
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  • I will have to start getting my hair colored before too long....keep getting grey hairs :(
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  • 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!
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  • 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.  
  • edited February 2014
    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.


    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 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.


    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.  
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  • 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...!
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  • @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.
  • 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
  • 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.
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  • 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.
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