How much do you spend/budget for F&B items?

[cransplash]

My shopping has definitely increased since being on the F&B boards (back on The Nest). DH and I both have "fun money" to do as we please, but also a clothing budget as well that is separate.

Just out of curiosity, what is your F&B budget monthly, and what dos it include (clothes? nails? waxing?)?

Also- is it included in your "fun money" budget or is it a separate budget.... and what are the amounts of each category?

[dcannie]

$350-400 A MONTH? wtf. what are you doing/buying? maybe i am reading the poll incorrectly, i will take another look.

eta: my mistake. i messed up your poll. my mind was only thinking beauty stuff. so i voted for the second option, $150-whatever. this includes botox every 9 months at $300. hair every 2-3 months at $120. and various make up/hair stuff that i usually stock up on when on sale or get as gifts for x-mas/b-day. i'm done w/ laser hair removal but still have one maintenance appt. every year to go over legs, bikini, underarms and it's just under $200.

if i counted clothing & shoes it would be a good bit more. probably average over $500/mo. soooo, sorry i messed up your poll.

[315bride]

I don't have a budget. I just spend what I want with my discretionary funds. That makes me sound like a rich bitch, but I make enough money and don't have kids to spend what I want on myself. My H does the same with his money.

[dcannie]

May 12, 2012 8:04:27 GMT -5 v said:

May 12, 2012 7:58:27 GMT -5 dcannie said:

$350-400 A MONTH? wtf. what are you doing/buying? maybe i am reading the poll incorrectly, i will take another look.

I don't think that spending that much is unrealistic at all for those who like fashion and beauty and can afford it.

okay, this is my mistake. i read it as beauty items. factor in clothes/accessories i get it.

[bimbi284]

I don't have a set budget either, but what I do have is somewhat limited (prob less than $200/month cuz I'm a student). I basically just buy things when I really need them or have to have it, or get an insane deal, Haha. I'm very fortunate that my mom shares my love for fashion and beauty and spoils me

[dcannie]

May 12, 2012 8:11:06 GMT -5 v said:

With beauty items it is harder than with clothes (and shoes and bags), but in a very high cost of living area (like Manhattan, which is where I live) services can cost a lot. I'm bad about maintaining my cuts and color, but I spend almost $300 each time I go. Where I live, a mani/pedi is over $50 when you add in the tip. Facials are $150ish. Bikini waxes at nice places are $60+ plus tip. Not that I get all of these things done every month, but they can add a ton to the overall expenditure even before I've bought shampoo or moisturizer or eyeliner.

yes, it was similar when i lived in dc. i only got my hair cut twice a year when i lived there. and the cost of waxing almost every month pushed me to start laser.

[futurepivko]

May 12, 2012 7:57:24 GMT -5 v said:

I don't have a budget so I don't know the number, but why is $400 the limit? If someone spends $500, that makes them a special snowflake?

Probably. Because you know, spending more then $400 is a crime I guess.

In all seriousness, we don't really budget, just mindful of what we buy.

[cransplash]

I just kind of stopped at $400/month without even thinking about it. I didn't mean to offend anyone!

On proboards app on my iPhone and can't access poll to edit it.

[mrst2]

I try to stay under $150/month for my fun money (clothes, makeup, skincare). Over the past few months I've spent more than that because I've been working on finding good products for my skin, hair, makeup, new clothes since losing all the baby weight.

[jewel]

I have $140/month in personal fun money - that gets split between lunches, coffee, and extra beauty.

My husband and I share $110/month in personal care (hair, shaving, basic make up items) and $125/month in clothing, although honestly I use most of it.

[beaglechon2012]

Awkwardly DH and I discovered I was spending like $200-300 on F&B a month...so my budget has been decreased. The biggest thing I am doing now is doing my own gel polish manicures at home (bit the bullet and invested in the LED light and polish) which is saving me about $46 every 2 weeks.

[Deleted]

I don't have one currently and just buy things as I need them, but lately someone else in the household has been overspending and then giving me grief about my F&B spending which has got to stop, so I'm setting my budget at $350/mo and seeing how that goes. That will include cosmetics, skincare, hair appts, and clothing/shoe/accessory purchases.

[summerkutie]

We don't have a set budget per say, but I have been really tight on my F&B spending in recent months as we owed a crap ton of money to the IRS at tax time (made me livid!) and then we booked a trip for our anniversary next month. Plus, we have a ton of weddings coming up and H's b-day so our fun money has been going elsewhere and my shopping has been put on the back burner. I am planning on picking up a few items for our trip though soon which will be nice as I feel like I haven't shopped in forever!