It's obviously subjective as people are all different, but it seems to me that it costs crazy money to, well, take care of myself! And I don't mean a new sheital or yomtov clothes, I mean regular expenses of pharmaceuticals, makeup, even tailoring !

My crdit card bill this month was over $4500! Obviously it's not all for me, but getting some new pairs of sandals, having some jewelry fixed, the once-a-year coat dry-cleaning, a sesson at a salon (details are TMI outside of AC), stuff from the discount pharmacy, etc., all add up in little bits at a time.

Any thoughts ?

Yes and No.
You don't "have" to spend all that money- marketing and the media have convinced you too.

That being said- For example I have many more shoes than my husband! So obviously I've bought into the need to buy.

Nechoma is correct - today and last week I skipped a professional manicure. When I was a kid NO ONE had their nails done or had waxing done or went for facials and such. Now, many many girls, men and women go, and on a regular basis, too. And it adds up to crazy money with a tip. And it's time consuming.

However, I DO need shoes for Shabbos and everyday. And I can't do most of my own tailoring either. So some expenses I have to have. And they add up too !

but you must have appropriate ones to compliment certain outfits!

I have NEVER had a $4,500 CC bill in one month, and I have 6 children. In a year, maybe.

I agree that it sounds exorbitant, and not reflective of most women's spending (even if only half of the credit card was devoted to her).

Bare bones needs for men and woman are about the same right? Clothing and shoes and their maintenance, hair cutting and shampoo, basic hygiene products.


I do concur!

Me neither, with 3 kids (albeit little). However, we DEFINITELY put more than that on our cc in a year. Lately, our cc bill has been exorbitant (according to me) and I'm trying to figure out WHAT I'm spending money on that I can cut and come up blank each time.

We once went through this with Moshi. But I think what you need to do is to itemize three months of credit card bills for the h.com tzibbur to analyze.
Of course, that would be meaningless without itemizing debit/cheque/cash expenditures. An income statement might also be helpful, but at the very least, a complete 3-month budget.

I have very very seriously considered doing that but opted out for various reasons. I don't really ever use a check (rarely). I use a cash only to pay babysitter and for little things, i.e. slurpee, probably no more than $10/week.

The month isn't over, sadly. it'll be a lot more.

I'm no stranger to big credit card bills. I charge tuition on that card, too. Oh - and this is funny - we charged our son's Bar Mitzvah party at Dougie's on it. That was $3000 alone.

I hope you're getting miles on this card!

Wait! This $4500 includes tuition?!?! That doesn't count.



or cash back, some sort of incentive.

cost more than being a gentleman?
cost more than being an unrefined or poorly-behaved woman?

Agreed. It's impossible to comment based on the opening post when further details that explain the situation trickle out.

It happens to be I also pay tuition on my credit card, but I don't pay tuition in August?!?! or July?!?!

It's all of our food and almost all of our other bills, too.

It's Discover - I get cash back. You all know I never actually go anyplace, so miles wouldn't be good for us. It's cash that's king.

Although if I took the $20 or $40 and asked for a Lands End certificae, for example, it'd be woreth a little more. I think they allow you to use that money towards some retailers like your $40 cash back turns into $50 if you specify it's for Lands End, or some such.