A Reddit user is getting honest about spending habits and asking for help.
User skylark178 posted in the r/budget community that they spend roughly $1,750 every month on beauty, health and wellness expenses. With a take-home pay of $5,800, that’s 30% of their monthly income.
“Like many other Americans right now, I’m working on consuming less, paying off debts, and building a safety net for what seems to be the growing sh*tshow that is the U.S. economy, and I need a reality check,” the user wrote.
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The original post detailed monthly expenses:
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$660 for weekly therapy (not covered by insurance)
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$340 in sport/exercise fees (pickleball and table tennis)
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$240 on massages (twice a month, 30% tip)
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$155 on gel nails (two manis, one pedi, 30% tip)
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$35 haircut
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$35 for self-waxing
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$85 on skincare (SPF, retinol, exfoliants, etc.)
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$80 on hygiene products
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$95 on prescriptions
The person also mentioned spending about $20 a month on workout shoes and clothes.
Reddit Responds: Treat Yourself Without Overspending
The post drew in dozens of responses, many of them supportive and filled with actionable advice.
The most common suggestion? Reduce the frequency of non-essential services and look for budget-friendly alternatives.
“Get one massage a month. Go to a free pickle bar court. Honestly, at this point, just buy a table tennis table for your house,” one user wrote.
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Several users suggested cutting therapy to biweekly to save $330 a month.
On nails, people had a lot of ideas: switch to press-ons, go every three to four weeks, or do them at home. “The best nails I’ve seen are from people who do it themselves,” another user commented.
As for face products, one user said, “You do not need to be slathering $85 worth of stuff on your face every month.”
Others recommended bulk shopping at Costco, using dupes, or taking advantage of Black Friday sales.
Skylark178 came back with an update: “Thanks everyone for the overall excellent feedback and suggestions! So appreciated. I now have a plan for reducing my b,h, and w spending from 30% to 19%.”
