Here’s an interesting exercise. Make a list of 5 things that you spend money on regularly that you CAN’T live without (boring stuff like “rent” and “electricity” excluded).
Here’s mine:
- Spa visits. No, not facials or massages (though that sounds pretty good too) – I’m talking about waxes. Approximately once per month I drop a stupid amount of money (like $85) getting the hair brutally ripped out of my skin. Yep, it’s probably an extravagance. But can we all agree that shaving is the WORST? Also, after 4 years of regular visits, I have a good bond with my esthetician. There’s not many occasions when someone can yank the hair off your bits and then have an in-depth conversation about how your most recent date went.
- Spa visits 2.0: eyelash extensions. OKAY I KNOW it’s a ridiculous expense. I spend around $110/month on my stupid eyelashes. But I wear no other makeup, unless I’m trying to get fancy (a rare occasion tbh), in which case I add some brow color and blush. Those stupid lashes save me time and are quite the self-confidence booster. I love them. It’s an expense I’m not ready to give up.
- Internet. I don’t think I really need to explain this.
- Netflix. I actually think I could give up my Netflix subscription really easily and it would be good for me to do so. However, my roommates and I each subscribe to a different streaming service and we all share (yep, we have Netflix, AmazonPrime, Hulu, and HBO). Netflix is by far the most used one, and it would be pretty uncool of me to cancel my subscription at this point.
- Spotify. Probably the best $10/month I spend.
Now make a list of 5 things that you spend money on regularly that you CAN live without (or cut back on).
Here’s mine, what a surprise!:
- Dining out. This always KILLS my budget. I swear it’s all we know how to do – go out and eat. It’s the go-to social activity of all my friends, at least. Truth be told, I think if I only went out with friends, it wouldn’t be a budget-killer. But I buy lunch at work 4 times a week, and order dinner for myself once or twice a week too. I need to get cooking.
- Parking. I live and work in a big, beautiful city. And parking is rarely free. I try to take the bus to/from work daily. But when I’m running late, I end up driving myself and paying anywhere from $10-20 per day for parking. Just to get to work! There are some parking situations that can’t be avoided, like driving out to a hike and paying $5 for use of the lot. Buses don’t go there. But I could cut back at least $80/month if I quit driving myself to work! STOP BEING LATE, SELF!
- Manicures/pedicures. I don’t actually get mani/pedis very often. But it tends to be a go-to “treat” for a little girlfriend time. Suddenly I’m dropping $30 for some nail polish that’s gonna chip in 3 days anyways. I am fully capable of painting my own nails (okay, fully capable might be an over-statement. My left hand has not been formally trained).
- Plants. Lately I’ve been scooping up houseplants at an alarming rate. Of course then I also have to buy cute pots for all the plants. And suddenly that $7 jade plant doubled in price. Not really a good deal after all.
- Clothes. *sigh* I try. I try to give up my addiction but I never can! I do know that I spend too much on clothes (and shoes, accessories, etc.) and I need to cut back or find new ways to shop more frugally.
What can’t you live without? What could you live without?