Monthly cost of toiletries

[accountingsucks]

OK, I'm doing my annual review of expenses and am wondering what other people spend on toiletries every month. I lump all of them in with groceries. This would include soap, shampoo, toothpaste, laundry detergent, contact solution, etc...basically stuff that keeps you looking presentable and functioning. Looks like right around $30 from what I can gather.

[Notmuchlonger]

Wish I knew. We just lump them in under groceries.

[tangomonster]

Like NML, we lump it all under groceries, but I appreciate having something else to think about besides the declining value of my investments!

I could track it and give you a more definitive answer next month. I would assume that gender may make a difference, but it could be that a metrosexual guy spends more than some of us old hippie females! And you would probably also need to look at how much a person spends in grooming services (like getting hair colored at a salon would preclude the person buying it themselves, but would cost way more to get it done by a professional).

[W2R]

I lump them in with groceries, too. I think maybe less than $5 a month though I really don't know. I buy low priced brands of soap and shampoo. Name brand deodorant and toothpaste for one don't amount to much. Detergent is expensive and I use Tide liquid, but I use half the amount recommended. Detergent would be the main expense. Other than detergent I would say $1-$2 per month maybe?

Now some of the women at work who color their hair spend $120/month or more on hair coloring, cuts, and appointments at the most upscale of hair salons. I spend $11 every 3 months on a "senior" haircut at Supercuts because I want to be able to retire eventually.

[Westernskies]

Deodorant + soap + toothpaste + disposable razors.
Two or three bucks at the most. Not exactly a metrosexual marketing dream.

[FANOFJESUS]

I am not sure but I would guess $15 to $20 a year for two.

[FANOFJESUS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Want2retire I lump them in with groceries, too. I think maybe less than $5 a month though I really don't know. I buy low priced brands of soap and shampoo. Name brand deodorant and toothpaste for one don't amount to much. Detergent is expensive and I use Tide liquid, but I use half the amount recommended. Detergent would be the main expense. Other than detergent I would say $1-$2 per month maybe? Now some of the women at work who color their hair spend $120/month or more on hair coloring, cuts, and appointments at the most upscale of hair salons. I spend $11 every 3 months on a "senior" haircut at Supercuts because I want to be able to retire eventually.

I use Want2retire's trick too. We use half the detergent it says too. Remember they are in the business to sell detergent.

[73ss454]

I hope things never get that bad where I start tracking toilet paper.

[Dawg52]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 73ss454 I hope things never get that bad where I start tracking toilet paper.

I was thinking the same thing.

[Khan]

I still have a gallon of shampoo from 15 years ago (solidifies when house is below 60F).

Have a razor sharpener so use same disposable razor for 6 months.

Shower 3 days a week (sponge bath other days).

Buy toiletries at grocery store and don't separate.

Deodorant soap toothpaste toner moisturizer...

I'll guess $10/month

[Khan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 73ss454 I hope things never get that bad where I start tracking toilet paper.

What's wrong with that?

[Dawg52]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Khan Shower 3 days a week (sponge bath other days).

My mother does that, but it's a big ordeal to bathe at 91. I feel much better getting the day started with a shower, even it's just a 5 minute one.

[LOL!]

Hmmm, I often take 3 showers in one day.

[73ss454]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Khan What's wrong with that?

Ya mean the 3 showers a week or tracking toilet paper.

My answer to both are what ever floats your boat.

[Notmuchlonger]

Actually you could skip TP. Use hand and water. We also use less than the recommend amount of detergent. Clothes seem to come out clean. I cut my own hair since I just get a number 1 cut. Right down to the noggin. Saves money doing it myself. The clipper was around 40.00 it has paid for itself several times over. In retirement I suppose you could also do without any deodorant. Really who cares if you stink. The only reason why you should brush your teeth is to reduce expense down the road of having to get new ones.

[accountingsucks]

Wow, I'm trying to figure out if my $30 guesstimate is reasonable as you are all coming in lower.

Gel/shampoo - 3 (half a bottle of each in a month I guess)
Contact solution - 6 (almost a full bottle)
Toothpaste/floss - 2
Kleenex/toilet paper - 2 or 3
Deodorant - 2
Detergent - 3 (I also use about 1/2 recommended amount)
Shaving cream - 2

So about 20 bucks total.

It does not include razors and I have a very thick beard so I typically go through 2 fusion razors a week but I get them from Ebay super cheap. Probably another $10 there easily to get to my $30 total. I've thought about switching to a safety razor which is how people shaved in the old days....much better and cheaper but haven't done so yet. Usually I only buy this stuff at Walmart as it's so much cheaper versus the grocery store. Normally I go once every few months to stock up and it's usually not a cheap trip...maybe these last longer than I think they do and I'm really spending alot less....I feel another category coming up in my Excel tracking.

I keep track of haircuts separately.

[haha]

My opinion is that is doesn't cost much for a man, so we can just ignore it. A woman gets value from cosmetics and stuff, so she has to decide what they are worth to her.

My plan is to never find myself with a woman who needs to scrimp on this stuff, unless she is 18. And I haven't had a lot of luck with that age group so far.

ha

[Notmuchlonger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by haha My opinion is that is doesn't cost much for a man, so we can just ignore it. A woman gets value from cosmetics and stuff, so she has to decide what they are worth to her. My plan is to never find myself with a woman who needs to scrimp on this stuff, unless she is 18. And I haven't had a lot of luck with that age group so far. ha

No comparison in my household I dont say a word either.

[FUEGO]

Monthly:
razor - $0.10
1/2 shaving cream - $0.50
1/4 shampoo - $0.33
2 bars soap - $0.85
1/6 toothbrush - $0.22
1/2 tube toothpaste - $.85
1 stick deodorant - $1.66
Mouthwash, floss - $2

$6.51 total a month?

My wife - $50 a month?? Many bottles of creams, unguents, lotions, soaps, conditioner, shampoo, body wash, etc. etc. etc.

Let's not get started on imbalances in TP consumption between men and women.

[haha]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FUEGO Let's not get started on imbalances in TP consumption between men and women.

Praise God on that one!
Ha