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

bellsbells

Any time I can claim vouchers from pigsback or survey sites I always go for Boots ones. I then get all my toiletries and medicine for free! I also go for BOGOF offers and of course get boots points every time I spend there. I have a cupboard full of soap, toothpaste, deodarent, mouthwash etc and have not paid cash for anything since Feb!

LookingAhead

I have also discovered a really cheap discount warehouse type store which sells boxes of 5 bars of Cussons soap for £1, big pots of hand soap for £1 etc. Always worth looking out for these sorts of places too.

redsquirrel80

Toiletries - Poundland/ Home Bargains (39p Colgate toothbrushes!)/ Supermarket/ Christmas presents
Make-up - Use Boots points as much as poss (I top up my mobile there which helps), I buy decent foundation and mascara, everything else is out of cheaper ranges, plus keep an eye on the Freebies board on here as I've had a couple of lip glosses free recently from offers on there.
Hairdye - Home Bargains, can't remember the make but it's £1.99 and pretty good.
Hair cut - do it myself! My hair grows really fast so it would cost me a fortune at the hairdressers, don't particularly like going anyway and I resent spending that much so I do my own. Never had anyone pointing and laughing at me, and have even had a couple of people saying "I really like your hair cut!" (and I don't think they were taking the p*ss :rotfl:)

skint_spice

also my justification for keeping hair trimmed and dyed, wearing makeup etc is that noone will notice the fact I've been wearing the same clothes for 3 years...
I agree with LookingAhead - when I first decided to cut down on these things I just stopped buying till I needed some and there was still enough to keep me going for the first six months!

silverbabe

We are conned into thinking we need loads of make-up and stuff by the manufacturers, who are looking for ways to make money and play on our insecurities. Get your hair trimmed by the local freelance hairdresser, who needs to make a bit of pin money. I can get a good cut for under a tenner and she comes to the house at a time to suit me.
Buy Lush solid shampoo. It lasts for months and is great for travelling.
For those who work in town, use those testers in the big stores for a squirt of perfume every day.
Find a book to make your own natural products from common plants, fruit and vegetables. They cost tons in the shops, but are very cheap to make ones self. I use the recipes from 'Vogue natural health and beauty' book, which may not be available nowadays, but I bet if you started a thread requesting recipes, those resourceful moneysavers would have loads.

Jacks_xxx

Thanks SO much everybody!!!

I was feeling a bit alone and a bit superficial for still wanting to look nice when I should really throw every penny we've got at the debt, but it's eassuring to know that I can do it for less if I try harder.

Like you Looking Ahead I have awkward hair so I really want to continue with my cuts and colours, plus as Skint Spice says if I have fab hair and my face on maybe nobody will notice that I never have new clothes any more!

I think I can go to the hairdresser less often, and if I cut out buying books and magazines, all those £2 cappucinos, renting dvds, cut down on the amount of money I spend on presents and do all my waxing, manicures and pedicures at home I reckon I can swing it.

The first thing I'm doing is using up my stash of birthday smellies, magazine samples, gwps, BOGOF bargains and spares from the "back up" drawer. (How did you know I'd have one Looking Ahead?!)

Number two is selling a few bits and bobs that I got in kits from QVC that I haven't used yet and can do without.

I've joined Pigsback too.

I'm not replacing my perfume when it runs out - I'm going to use Silverbabe's tip when I want to smell pretty! Plus I'm out of body scrub so I improvised salt and vegetable oil in the shower tonight - it did the trick! I'm going to investigate making my own products more often. I think my daughter and I can have some fun with that.

We have a Wilkinsons and another cheapie shop in town so I can hunt out bargains there. I'm going to find me a Poundland as well!

If I have to spend money in Boots I'll make sure it's with vouchers and put the points earned towards my Touch Eclat and Lancome mascara. (I could more or less live without everything else if I had to!)

Thanks everyone. I'm feeling much better about it all now.

Love Jacks xxx