We don't have an allowance each in our family. But we do spend splurge money these days. We go out to eat, we buy presents for folks, and we buy some junk food for ourselves. We just don't have an 'allowance' of individual splurge money.
After the recent discussion on the boards regarding how much was reasonable, I thought I would look at our spending over the last few months and see how much of it was 'my waste'...and I came up with zero.
Well not exactly zero, I bought a pair of maternity jeans and some hand lotion. with my Christmas/birthday money. But as far as from the house budget, meaning my husbands income, zero.
Now peeking at my husbands spending..he bought some maternity clothes for me and some vending machine pop - out of his Christmas/birthday money. He also bought a few miscellaneous things on Ebay that I don't know what are and don't care as they simply sit in the garage taking up space. but that was with Ebay money (from him selling not his paycheck)
So if I were to make an allowance for myself up...it wouldn't need any money! I am a low upkeep kinda gal though. No fancy hair I leave it natural color and other than a wash and conditioner with occasional olive oil I don't do anything to it. My fancy face scrub is sugar, no makeup. I wear the same necklace and same rings as pre kid, and I am VERY happy with them (well except for my discovery yesterday that my wedding ring had to go on the necklace since my fingers swelled.....) I don't 'go out' with friends (though we have plenty come here) never a movie or eating out without the family...If I wanted to rent a movie I would use the free collection of my brother in law. So what else would I be spending money on anyway?
Am I just too boring for an allowance?
How much would I need for an allowance?
April 3rd, 2008 at 06:06 pm
April 3rd, 2008 at 06:34 pm 1207247668
That said, what my husband and I include in allowance covers a lot of things that other people make separate categories for. i.e., bowling, a visit to the botannical garden, random weekend vacation, items needed or wanted for our home and garden, gifts to friends, etc.
April 3rd, 2008 at 07:27 pm 1207250856
April 3rd, 2008 at 08:10 pm 1207253416
My allowance is for parking, lunch, dry cleaning, and weekend coffee. (about $50 a week).
My wife's is mainly for a cup of coffee a day ane some treats.($25 a week)
everything else we have a budget for item for.
April 3rd, 2008 at 08:36 pm 1207255014
Now, having said that, I think you need to learn a little self-care. There must be something you like to splurge on every now and then -- a class, coffee with friends, something.... If you can afford it, I think it's wise to not deprive yourself. You and your family will thank you in the long run.
April 4th, 2008 at 04:17 pm 1207325875
Of course I am a homeschooling SAHM..so that makes my life pretty cheap..I do buy programs for the kids when I want em, and I take the kids to Discovery place when I want to (pre kid I took my nieces, I LIKE those places!)
So I am very 'spoiled' just in non traditional ways...and the expensive ones are family fun, so I don't need a personal allowance. I do need a family one, and having lived without for a time I am glad we can afford it now.
April 5th, 2008 at 06:46 pm 1207421182
April 6th, 2008 at 05:59 pm 1207504783
After those selfish questions are out of the way , I applaud you for being content and happy with your life. Don't feel pressure to spend more on yourself. You seem really happy!
April 7th, 2008 at 03:58 pm 1207583938
Olive oil for the hair is a 'deep conditioner' that I used to do more often, I comb it into dry hair one night (when I wont be going anywhere the next day) and then wash it out the next.
And thanks for being the voice of support! I am pretty happy ..well pregnant and tired, but happy!
Oh the olive oil and sugar will not help excema..that I use Eucerin for, nothing but the real thick 'paste' like cream..and that costs an arm and a leg! but since it is merely a pregnancy condition I don't take that out of allowance either