The Poor Man's Pedicure

I love a good pedicure! I still remember my first professional pedicure and how it felt to pamper myself and to have shiny piggies to show for it. It was only a few years ago, but instantaneously I was addicted.

I started pampering my self at fancy salons while on business travel and became one of the hoard at the local nail place down the street in between trips. What started out as a nice thing to do for myself turned into a much needed service. To fit in my addiction, I was having "business meetings" while getting my pedicures. In my mind, it was multi-tasking at its best.

Yes, the magazines I was reading, mostly while waiting for my turn at these salons, told me that polished nails were a must for any professional woman in today's competitive market. The cost per visit runs from $35 to $100 depending on the spa you frequent. Add on the tip and you are looking at an average cost of $80 per visit.

It was all good until the gas prices started to rise, business started to slow and I took a hard look at my personal and business expenses. Well maybe I could go without my pedicures for a while and use those funds to market my services, fill my gas tank or put food on the table. UGH...to be an adult. I could feel the symptoms of withdrawal - irritability, anxiety and a yearning for my cuticles to be cut.

After a week or two of unpolished nails, the "poor man's pedicure" was born. Like most people in recovery, you figure out other ways of coping. So I bought an inexpensive bottle of nail polish at CVS and got busy doing my pedicure. Is it the same? No, not at all. Do I still get joy at peaking down at my toes painted in pretty colors? Sure. Will I appreciate the technician and the pampering I get at the salon next time I splurge on a real beauty treatment? You bet.

Yes, times are tough and one area to cut costs is the beauty budget. My past $80 a month habit is now $80 better spent. Over the coming year, I could save over $1,000 and invest those funds in my SEP retirement account, payoff some of outstanding debt or re-invest it in my business.

Yes, beauty is a $45 billion dollar industry in this country and growing. This does not include the additional 11.7 million we spend on cosmetic procedures annually; ninety one percent undergone by women. Ironic that we make 76% of what men make and spend millions more on looking "professional."

So how much do you spend on beauty? Add up the cost of your pedicures, manicures, hair cuts , colors, highlights, make up and facials in the past year. Now consider what you could forgo and how you might invest that money in your financial future.

I truly believe that real beauty is on the inside and as women we need to not fall prey to the societal message that we need to polish, cover up and waste away to be attractive. Yes, it feels good to look good, but it also feels good to internally know you are a good person.

So the next time you go to the salon, think twice about how much you spend and why you are spending it. Remember the "poor man's pedicure" is a nice temporary solution to save some money in the short run and fight against the pressure to go broke looking beautiful.