In debt and cutting back -how do you budget for toiletries, hair cuts etc?

Jacks_xxx

I'm pretty new to these boards and just getting my SOA together to post but I've been thinking about what's "a necessity" and what I can live without in our new budget.

And I'm thinking that basic toiletries, haircuts, covering up my greys and replacing my make up "essentials" as and when they run out have got to go on the Necessities list - but how do I budget for them??

And would YOU consider these things necessities - or have you decided to prioritise your debts above all else and you are resigned to going extremely low maintenance :rolleyes: for the forseeable future??

I'm really interested in what other people are doing in this area...

Love Jacks xxx

Yorkielass

With toiletries I've done very well out of the health and beauty stuff from tescos, there's a thread on the discount vouchers board about it, you can use vouchers with bogofs and get things free or sometimes given money back off the rest of your shopping - has kept us with handwash, toothpaste shower gel and shampoo all year so far!

With regards to hair cuts I don't dye my hair and have long hair but I go to the local college to have mine cut - about £7.25 and I have it done once every 3/4 months, they do 2 evenings a week and I think it's great, the supervisors check it all.

With make up I used boots points to pay for that.

So basically:

Toiletries I don't need to pay for atm but I'd cover that in my grocery budget.

Hair cuts:; cheap and as infrequent as possible - specific line in budget

Make up: not in budget - only get as a treat with vouchers/points - do you do pigsback? You could get boots vouchers then use these to buy make up.

Good luck with the budget - I'm doing one at the moment.

JCD_Capulet

As far as toiletries/makeup ect go, Poundland is not to be sniffed at. My local store sells alot of designer shampoos and conditioners along with max factor, estée lauder, covergirl, ect makup!

Prudent

Have you used the boots thread on the grabbit board? Some things are luxuries that should be avoided if you are trying to reduce debt, but it can help with the basics. I still have a large supply of things like mouthwash (which they paid me 31p a bottle to take away), handwash and handcream. Free toothpaste just about running out now.

Hardup_Hester

I buy Nice & Easy hair colour £4 every 2 months, I wear my hair tied back as I can't afford to have it cut, I don't wear makeup, I buy shampoo, conditioner & deodorent. I get showergel as christmas gifts where ever possible.

Jacks_xxx

Aww I'm such a noob - I managed to post this twice!!!

Thanks everybody. There's so much on this site that I've barely scratched the surface. I'm going to have a look at Grabbit and the Discount Vouchers board - and I'm signing up for pigsback as we speak!

Can anybody tell me how to get a sig while I'm at it??

Love Jacks xxx

skint_spice

Obviously I class hair dye as a necessity! I usually buy it from tescos every couple of months like Hester but I'm not willing to give it up (or the slap). Poundland are good for toiletries and Tesco too. I found out yesterday on one of PAP's threads that you can get Avon through quidco so might give that a go. I don't spend much on makeup though so usually just squeeze it out of the shopping budget.

tealady

Hair cuts - local college (max £5) pigsback clicks for Boots voucher then wait for 3 for 2 or BOGOF then buy, also check websites for free samples (Dove were running a promotion recently). Make sure every one who is adult in your house is registered, you may get more free samples that way. Also when I click for a free sample I register a friends address as well and they pass me their samples. Also I always pick up supermarket mags as they occasionally have samples or vouchers in them.

LookingAhead

Hi there - on the signature front...try this...

Scroll up to the top of this thread and look for "Quick Links" on the green menu bar....click on that.

Then you will see "Edit Signature". Click on that.

Hopefully that will do it?

LookingAhead

As for toiletries....

I whittle everything down to the last drop now, cut lids off of things - it's amazing what you can scoop out!

I use PigsBack for Boots vouchers then buy make up & BOGOF stuff, also try to get vouchers for birthdays & Christmas where possible and then stock up.

I budget for hair cut & colour as I have a very specific hair type that I cannot do myself at home and I am *so* not ready to go grey yet! So I budget for that every 6 - 8 weeks. It's a lot of money but....for me it's essential. Vanity I know - terrible! :rolleyes:

You will start to eke things out and only replace when absolutely necessary and - have you got a cupboard full of things already in the bathroom at all...? A lot of women have! If so - just refuse to buy anything more till that lots shifts!

carmenrose

For cheap toiletries, cleaning stuff etc try Wilkinsons or Home Bargains.