Women - how much money do you spend on yourselves?

[DesEtoiles]

I have a toddler so I am always shopping for her and never for me.

My wardrobe is in a pathetic state. Today I did major and much needed shopping for me - but I'm feeling guilty about spending the money on myself.

[gollygee]

1. That's me too!

My daughter is always well-dressed. I love dressing her up. I love spending money on clothes for her. But my clothes? I need to buy new clothes, and more fashionable clothes, but I feel guilty spending the money.

I have a gift certificate I got for my birthday for $100 from JC Penny and I keep thinking I should get something for her or the house with it. And that is a birthday gift for me! LOL.

[Iris]

2. Just think of the message you are sending your daughter

by dressing like a rag-a-muffin while she is dressed like a princess. Basically, you're telling her once she has kids it's all over for her.

[SOteric]

3. Pretty much all of it really.

I spend it on frivolous things like putting a roof over my head, putting groceries in my cupboards, hygiene and household needs. I spend some amount on spoiling my cat, but this is really for me as well as he gives me joy and comfort and I find the rewards of spoiling him greatly outweigh the expense. I also spend some on encouraging and fostering the connection between me and folks I love, but again, it can be argued that I get sufficient from these relationships that it's hardly pure altruism. I give to DU and to political campaigns and to charities because I want their work to continue and feel keenly the direct effect of that work.

I guess it's all in perspective. :shrug:

[La Lioness Priyanka]

4. i spend much less shopping for myself than other

but i bough myself 4 pairs of pant recently

[AlCzervik]

5. Don't feel guilty at all

the only clothing money i spend these days is for my daughter. The last thing i bought for myself clothing wise was a black sweat jacket on sale for $14.99 at Target. I decided to let my haircolor grow out and go natural..ie..mostly grey, so thats another I'm not spending on now either. I would love to go out shopping for myself, i so need a new wardrobe, all i ever wear is black, my husband calls me "Morticia". I told my husband that he need to turn me into "what not to wear" so i can get a new wardrobe on their dime, i'm al ready to act surprised when they come to get me!

[DesEtoiles]

16. that's ME in my Target clothes and gray hair! :)

[tjdee]

6. I shop at thrift stores for me, and at regular stores for the kiddo.

And Iris is SO right. My daughter sees me looking like crap way more than she ought to. My sister is a fashionplate, and whenever I'm with her I look like Lump. It's terrible, and if I had more money I'd do something about it. It's not like I have extra money laying around to get all dolled up (not to mention my always in a bun hair!). Not like I'm going to knock the socks off of the people at work, or myself in my kitchen, which is where I spend 90% of my time.

BUT--the reason I hate buying clothes is that I have to try it on and see gee, I've gained weight, I look too big, etc. etc. And, why pay $40 for a shirt when I can go to thrift and get one for $4?

[redqueen]

7. I'm the same way.

I'm hoping for gift cards for Christmas so I can buy some clothes already.

[MsAnthropy]

8. Consignment shops and thrift shops are the only way to go

I buy all my clothes there. I love a dress so much more if I paid $10 for it than if I spent $300 because I feel like I'm getting away with something!

[Patiod]

13. My favorite clothes are from thrift shops

ALL of my work blazers are actually men's jackets from thrift stores - although the thrifts on Philadelphia's Main Line are not exactly shabby.

I'm almost 6', so men's jackets fit way better, and it's less embarrassing to buy them in thrift stores.

Nothing like finding the original tag still on the item, and you realize how little you are paying for an unworn item.

(unfortunately, a thrift shop owner explained that they don't get a lot of size 14 or 16, because most women donate their wardrobes AFTER they've put on weight, and not vice versa, so they tend to get more smaller-size donation)

[MsAnthropy]

15. Isn't that FUN! Getting designer clothes for almost nothing is great

It takes diligence--there's a regular circuit I make every couple of weeks because the stock changes so quickly. My latest treasure, which my co-workers are SICK of hearing about, is my $3.50 Calvin Klein winter coat, absolutely new.

[Z_I_Peevey]

9. Almost nothing on myself

Everything goes to the house, the kids, the husband, the garden. I honestly can't remember the last time I bought a piece of clothing for myself. When I can squeeze an extra dollar, I buy myself a book at a second-hand store.

Good Lord, I am a character in a 70s feminist novel. The put-upon housewife. I think I'll go hurl now.

[stanwyck]

10. I've been rethinking

how much I spend on myself. (too much). I think it's psychological. I don't necessarily look better with expensive clothes. Actually, my gym time this past year has made much more of an improvement than new clothes. And it seems such a waste to spend money on clothes...they're so transitory. It makes me cringe when I read of young women pouring so much of their money into their clothes, hair, and shoes. They should be putting their hard-earned money into savings, real estate, stocks, or mutual funds.
I'm grateful there are more and more inexpensive but great looking options. I shop at TJ Maxx and Filene's. And get my comfy weekend clothes at Target.

[scarlet_owl]

11. I barely spend any money on myself at all.

I only shop at Goodwill for clothes, and I haven't bought myself a luxury item in a VERY long time. Instead, I spend my money on pot. I guess my priorities are a little different.

[MissMarple]

12. A lot, sometimes. I think caring how you look is important.

And good for you. And don't save what you bought for some "special" time, wear it. By taking care of yourself, you can better take care of others, and you'll be taken more seriously, as well..

It shows you respect yourself, that you are not a doormat, or depressed, or whatever. Learning what looks good on you can be a bit of a hurdle, but help can be found. I like to take my daughter with me. You should see the expression on her face when I hold up a color that makes me look like a corpse.

Well fitting clothes in good colors can be found in many price ranges, starting with the basics and adding on and replacing worn out stuff is not extravagant, it is an investment in your self esteem. And it can also show respect for other people, that you care enough to look nice for them, even if it is only the playground mommies, the grocery store clerk, or your significant other. Now I know there are actually folks that really don't have clothes on their wavelength, but looking frumpy can actually be a distraction, a handicap. That is why we have programs like "What Not To Wear". Clothes certainly aren't everything, but they sure can make a difference.

Getting off soapbox now. :D

[cmf]

14. Very little

We're on a strict budget. Besides, I've been put off by consumerism, so I never feel like shopping at all. Aside from food, I just don't do it. I do need some "new" clothes, though, so I'm going to visit this new thrift store my friend told me about after the new year.

[DesEtoiles]

17. I agree with all of the above, but

you all didn't make me feel any better! I was hoping to hear that everyone spends BIG BIG bucks so that I could feel less guilty about my splurge today!!! :)

[laheina]

18. OK Ladies!

This is my take on this situation. Take care of yourselves, even if you don't have lots of the green stuff to spend. A lot of this can be done for free. Take the daughter for a walk, and you two can get dolled up together--let her know that she's worth taking care of (and so are you.)

Pants and hair are not splurges. They are maintenance. If you don't have money, learn how to do your own toes, but doing the little extra things every now and again keeps the spirits up. I know time is an issue too, but taking a minute or two for me time to steam the skin or lay in the bath are important sacrifices!! They also send your daughter a positive message!

If you follow steps 1 and 2 diligently, and you should, then the occasional splurge won't seem that bad. You're worth it my dears!

[Nicole]

19. A lot!

I did without many things while I was raising my family. They are grown & gone.

It's mama's turn now. :)