topic Money saving measures in Beauty

Money saving measures

smoochy — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 17:01:53 GMT

trying to economize in several areas to help with paying down credit debt. Cutting way back on frivolous spending- unnecessary clothing and accessories, TV streaming services, and now I'm hitting the beauty category.

No more salon pedicures or gel nails. 😩 those things are actual monthly bills. Will miss the pretty hands that gel nails give me...l will have to get used to that.

First world problems. 🌎 but living within my means is most important right now.

Re: Money saving measures

DrakesMomma — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 17:14:05 GMT

Yay for you @smoochy !!

Re: Money saving measures

Zhills — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 17:26:49 GMT

Don't go too far...you don't want to get depressed!

Life is short; eat dessert first!

Re: Money saving measures

Scooby Doo — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 17:47:10 GMT

I hear ya. I've been doing the same this summer. My goal is to pay off my credit cards and not buy anything I don't need. I'm down two and will have another paid off next month. The interest rate on these things is a killer.

Cable and TV will probably have to stay because that's my main source of intertainment these days. But that's a big bite.

Re: Money saving measures

rockygems123 — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 17:52:43 GMT

@Scooby Doo wrote:
I hear ya. I've been doing the same this summer. My goal is to pay off my credit cards and not buy anything I don't need. I'm down two and will have another paid off next month. The interest rate on these things is a killer.
Cable and TV will probably have to stay because that's my main source of intertainment these days. But that's a big bite.

@Scooby Doo

Same here, love cable. Contacted Xfinity and was surprised they could include the same internet speed, same # of channels and lowered the bill quite a bit

Re: Money saving measures

Still Raining — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 17:53:18 GMT

Good for you for working on this problem. It can creep up on you.

When I moved here to my final house where cable still does not reach, I was surprised how much I had been spending each month. A great savings.

Re: Money saving measures

Mombo1 — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 18:41:23 GMT

@smoochy I have to agree with you. Living within my means is very important to me .
I have been on a mission to be debt free this year and not purchase things that I really don't need. Credit card interest rates are just too high. I still order things but pay them off in full each month. No ez pays ever. That just prolongs the debt. I am down to one credit card which is almost paid in full. It feels good to not have to worry about debt hanging over me.

Re: Money saving measures

cindyNC — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 18:43:49 GMT

@smoochy Good for you.

Re: Money saving measures

smoochy — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 18:51:37 GMT

@Zhills wrote:
Don't go too far...you don't want to get depressed!

Life is short; eat dessert first!

lol no worries. I have a blessed happy life.

Re: Money saving measures

smoochy — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 18:58:33 GMT

@Scooby Doo wrote:
I hear ya. I've been doing the same this summer. My goal is to pay off my credit cards and not buy anything I don't need. I'm down two and will have another paid off next month. The interest rate on these things is a killer.
Cable and TV will probably have to stay because that's my main source of intertainment these days. But that's a big bite.

its nearly 30%!! I've done a balance transfer, spreading the debt over two cards that each have very long interest free promo periods. If I put absolutely nothing on those cards and pay on them, I can make a big dent. My humongous dental bills and weight loss drug costs, plus retail spending, got me into this pickle.

I'll tell you what-one of the biggest lures to get the average consumer into big credit debt has been the rewards cards. The more you charge the more you "earn" I will never be a s*cker for that again

Re: Money saving measures

haddon9 — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 18:58:35 GMT

I find that I can easily overspend on groceries if I'm not careful. Make a list of what you absolutely need and stick to it!

Re: Money saving measures

SilleeMee — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 19:16:54 GMT

I learned how to cut my own hair and make some of my own skincare products. That saves a lot plus using my own serums is better for my skin.

Re: Money saving measures

Kachina624 — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 19:17:17 GMT

All my needs are very modest; food very basic with no frills, got rid of cable, no eating out, refinanced my house a few years ago and my mortgage payment is as low as tenement rent.

I rarely use a credit card. All my purchases come directly out of my bank account by debit card so I don't accumulate debt.

My big extravagantce is clothes, mostly from QVC, using the debit card.

Re: Money saving measures

Zhills — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 19:52:35 GMT

My QVC purchases have just stopped. Just don't like the soft, slimy fabrics they are using now. Don't do dresses any longer!

I purchased enough Pima cotton to last for a while! So happy that I did!

I don't skimp on food! I buy what I like to eat. Some of it is a bit expensive but I don't eat that much! I deserve it!

Re: Money saving measures

KittySoftPaws — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 20:02:14 GMT

@smoochy Good for you! I am doing the same. In fact we just switched our cell plans over to Mint Mobile, and switching the streaming service to another carrier also. We then also switched our Car Ins. As for beauty, I was never one to get manicures or pedicures, but there is a nail salon next to my new hair salon and last year before I was to go on a trip, I had my toes done. I had only had like 2 pedicures before that my entire life! It was nice and so I got in the habit of getting one after my 8 week salon appointments. Mainly because the old one had to be removed and I tried to do it but couldn't. So it starts a vicious cycle. So I stopped that after a few times. Then bought a UV nail lamp kit with polishes and its just as beautiful when I do it myself. Then just recently, I stopped getting my color done at the salon every 6-8 weeks. Instead, I went back to doing it myself, and bought the same products they use at the salon. Works fantastic and I have saved a bundle. Especially since moving to Florida, and having dk hair, I was needing it like once a month, and with the costs here plus tipping, it was getting ridiculous. So, it feels good to not only save, but to do things yourself if you are able.

Re: Money saving measures

kitcat51 — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 20:40:06 GMT

I use my 2 cash back cc's for all my purchases,1 is set for gas, the other for online purchases & pay them off every month. Hey if I can get cash back for the items I need to buy I'd be a fool not to take advantage. I'm frugal, stick to a budget but still treat myself to a color-cut 2 or 3 times a year...if I really want something I don't need I save up for it. Wishing you success @smoochy

Re: Money saving measures

Goodie2shoes — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 20:22:45 GMT

Great Post ! I need to cut back on my spending as well and pay off my cards. I've already cut back on fashion buys from QVC and HSN. I have closets full of clothes, some I haven't worn yet and I bought them a couple of years ago. Losing so much weight got me buying more clothes and I got hooked ! Not ready to give up my nail salon visits yet !

Re: Money saving measures

shoekitty — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 22:11:18 GMT

@smoochy Good for you! Go girl. There is nothing more freeing and liberating than no debt or little debt. I jave this theory, when I really think about there is nothing on any of these shopping channels we,need. It is all wants. Even clothes, if you have clothes to he you buy, provided you aren't working, you can do without. Wear what you have. My granddaughters, and 2 of my daughters are avid thrifters when they need something. They even know the days the shoos get their "new". Stufff,

the nail thing, I quit several years ago. Not for financial reasons but health reasons. Gel nails are no better than acrylic IMO. Ruins nails, not healthy, and you breath in toxins. They looks so beautiful, but not worth it

Re: Money saving measures

smoochy — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 03:34:24 GMT

So today i had my gels soaked off. I cut my nails very short, fingertip length. Oof, so thin and weak. Now using OPI nail envy and two coats of Active Glow polish.

Also canceled my Spotify subscription. Ding ding thats $12/mo back in the budget

Re: Money saving measures

Tinkrbl44 — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 05:55:20 GMT

@smoochy wrote:
trying to economize in several areas to help with paying down credit debt. Cutting way back on frivolous spending- unnecessary clothing and accessories, TV streaming services, and now I'm hitting the beauty category.
No more salon pedicures or gel nails. 😩 those things are actual monthly bills. Will miss the pretty hands that gel nails give me...l will have to get used to that.

First world problems. 🌎 but living within my means is most important right now.

@smoochy

Good for you, but let's not get carried away.

This doesn't mean you can never have manicures again, right?

You can tighten the purse strings and still have an occasional mani or pedi treat .... like once every six months ... or three months?