Any one else feel like shampoo & soap a luxury?

ok so today idk what mood swing or if normal this is. I went to the store and only bought the needs, only sticker for me to help track was the only not need but that can be argued due to it will help me with tracking. The rest was body care like shampoo, soap, mouth wash, under arm stuff and razors (i have left these things go and didn't realize till last night when i needed to bathe) That's all. And it came to 40 bucks which puts me tight with paying everything for rent and bills. Of all sorts.
Any ways i tried to go to sleep when i should be sleeping, instead i stayed awake and still up. For over 2 hours about i stressed myself trying to figure out what i was going to do. I accepted what i had bought would last 2 months or more. Just i couldn't afford it right now. I ended up pulled out one of my credit cards out of hiding to pay a medical bill which helps my bank balance now. But through all this i felt as if having good or suffice hygien was a freakin luxury. I really did which made me feel bad.
My boyfriend got up and i explained all of what i had been doing and he said he'd give me money cuz i buy stuff for both of us. I denied it idk if it's all pride but he pays his own bills. Then i got upset cuz i don't have driver's insurance, but i drive some times & need to get it but can't right now.& i didnt get enough food for this week. Then i started stressin about how much therapy is going to cost & if they charge my ins my ins wont pay or will only pay lil But it still came back to good hygien was a luxury. It's healthy to be clean and it makes me feel better too. But i do realise that there are ppl in poorer countries that don't get to bathe every day :-( and i'm sitting here complaining that i bought enough for atleast or more 2 months worth of stuff. Just messed up in a way. Just confused with me. And wondered if anyone else has thought this way?
I try to budget. I really do. I'm going to probably sel my newer phone which is old now, but whatever i can get out of it. Just too much $ out& not enough $in.ah

My boyfriend pays gas a lot and insurance and phone and other misc. Bills and he gets food off and on and we are terrible with cig which he gets me some times.

I am going through something similar. I love it when my hair is long but it takes at least 2x's as much shampoo... having major guilt trips!

Beauflow, I'm sorry that you are struggling so much financially. Don't feel bad about letting your boyfriend pay for things now and then. He clearly loves you and wants you to be healthy and happy.

If you don't have a job, is there any way you could get one? Unfortunately, the job market is very competitive nowadays, but you might find something. If you already have a job, maybe you could work another one in the evenings. It would be stressful, but it might be worth it if it allows you to not have to worry about money so much. If you can't find a job/second job, then perhaps you could offer babysitting, housecleaning, or yard care services to your neighbors. You could bake cookies and sell them. Everybody loves cookies.

I wish you luck.

Thank you Omers and Secretum :-)

Yeah I work full time that sort of gets me sometimes with stuff- but i have medical stuff and I have tried my best with paying them monthly and some even reduced the amount due to they saw how much I made and weather or the insurance paid a little or a lot.

I know my boyfriend always tells me that he is here- and that we are together, and that he rather have me take some money from him than have things go spiringly down.

I talked to him about getting a second job- he does not like the idea due to I already get so stressed and pour my self into my current job and I work nights and sometimes don't get enough sleep- like today... I think it would be easy in a way to get a morning job for a few days out of the week - something easy... and then go to sleep and then come to my night full time job- it is usually quiet and all... IDK though-

Yeah I was thinking maybe I could sell the bears I make (I make stuffed animals from yarn and a knitting board sometimes) It does help with stress- but then it does cost to do.. and I will behonest I have gotten better but IDK- I know ppl and friends say they are cute but IDK- i dont think they are good enough to sell (lol).

It will be ok- I always figure numbers some how--- O.o

Sorry for the rant-

But it is sad that people in poorer countries dont have things like we do-- yet I complain- Makes me feel bad and reminds me it could be worse.

I know exactly how you feel, you want to be independent yet you find that you are not able to do everything on your own. The fact that you stress about it shows that you are a mature adult that is trying to do the best she can, there is nothing wrong in letting your boyfriend help you out - that is what relationships are all about. When you cook him dinner wouldn't it hurt your feelings if he left $5 on the table for his share? I am sure that he feels that you are not being fair to him by not allowing him to help out, like he said, he uses the products as well. Plus the upside is that you will have a bit of your stress relieved and will in turn be better company! It's a win-win. Remember, how you feel inside makes all the difference in the world and when you look good, you feel good and that is what you should be striving for. It's not like you bought cigarettes or drugs. Don't be so hard on yourself!

I do understand how feeling like buying these items seems like a luxury. I can't buy the shampoo and conditioner I like to use because it is just too expensive. Thank heavens my face moisturizer lasts about 3 months because I couldn't afford to buy it monthly.
I understand the stresses of financial strain completely. It really is a horrible anxiety to have. I feel for you.

Maybe shop at the "dollar store" for personal items such as shampoo, conditioner, soap and deodorant. I know that there products aren't top of the line. At least you'll be clean. When things got tough here, I have had to even buy hair dye there. I am not working either and my family has pretty much shut me out. So my best friend has been helping me out. This makes me feel guilty but I am not in a position to hold a job. Hope this helps...

Sadly, no dollar stores or cheaper stores to buy these things in South Africa wish we had something like a dollar store here. It's a good idea.

My two "luxuries" are a good haircut every 5 weeks (standing appointments through next January) AND I buy a bath soap that costs $3 a bar - Geranium Bourbon (www.coolcreekfarm.com). Online the soap is probably $5 a bar, I buy it locally at Drug Emporium. Those are my only personal luxuries!

We practically never eat out anymore, I buy what little clothing we need on clearance sales (which really isn't a problem - stores here always have seasonal merchandise stacked to the ceiling). I don't drive anywhere I don't have to go. Very occasionally I'll buy a plant or potting soil.

Everything is just so absurdly expensive. One of my neighbors just got a $350 water bill, ours will probably be $200. Electric bills are approaching $350-$400 a month. Gasoline is expensive, groceries are expensive - we both have health issues, doctors and prescription/OTC drugs are expensive. Every cause under the sun is begging for financial donations because they're struggling.

I'll soon be 65. I used to snicker to myself when I heard older people say, "I remember when __________." Gracious! If I told young people today what I remember as far as what things used to cost, they wouldn't believe me!

I remember when the absolute best mascara on earth, a "cake" mascara from Mabelline, was 20 cents. A huge can of hairspray was 49 cents. Nail polish was probably a quarter...now look at the prices!

I complimented someone recently on her perfume and asked what it was? She said it was "Opium". I'm not a perfume-person but I thought maybe I'd buy a bottle - it was $95 for the smallest size at Drug Emporium. I bought a $5 imitation at Walgreens!

How young families survive today boggles my mind! Shoes, clothing, all the stuff kids need and want - I don't know how anyone does it.

My grandmother used to say (among a million other "old sayings" ) that money doesn't grow on trees and you can't get blood out of a turnip!! I'm glad (I guess) that I'm a low-maintenance homebody who cannot manage what she's got much less need anything else but the cost of living today scares me.

I married in the 1960's. Back then every bride "registered" for china, crystal and sterling silver and I have a complete set of each - that I NEVER use. I told my husband I was going to sell the silver and he said no, to keep it - someday I might have to use a salad fork to buy a loaf of bread!

http://simplemom.net/how-to-clean-yo...thout-shampoo/
This may seem outrageous but if the cost is really bothering you, you may want to consider it. I know a number of people who have really liked the affects and I just started trying it yesterday. My hair still feels clean and maybe even a little softer. It may get oily or frizzy for a while while the oils rebalance (shampoo causes you to overproduce them) but it's an alternative

I'm sorry you're struggling financially ((beauflow)). We declared personal bankruptcy 2 yrs ago and I learned how to budget. I agree with Cyntroxy1973 - if you live in an area that has a dollar store you can get hygiene products there - sure its not luxury products but at least it gets you clean. I started grocery shopping at a lower end store - its the kind of store that doesn't bag your groceries for you. At first I felt embarrassed but when my total came up, I saved at least $80. I also realized the quality of the fruits and vegetables was superior to the more high end store. When I was leaving with my groceries, I laughed because there was a Mercedes in the parking lot.

You might want to consider a few sessions with a financial counselor - we had to get counseling when we went through bankruptcy. It helped me realize how to cut corners. I'm not a spender but my husband was the one who put us over the edge. I still learned how to tighten up even more. One thing I find hard to afford is makeup - its no darn expensive and I don't even buy the top priced ones.

Yes, money is tight with me too. Buying personal hygiene items is expensive. I limit myself to the bare necessities. I watch for clearance items and buy things when they are on sale. I feel rich right now because I have 2 bottles of tide laundry detergent in my cabinet---it was on sale and cheaper than the "cheap" stuff. I know there are people in this country and other countries that don't have the nice things I have--even if its cheap. Yes, I guess I do feel a little guilty that I have everything I need....

Thank you everyone. I keep hearing to stop being so hard on myself even as a kid. It's hard (lol). Dollar stores & thrift stores (and should be every where!) i love but i didn't want to wait up the other day for it to open, sorry i was tired after work (graveyard) but i regret it now.my budget gets me so upset with my figures i sometimes think of going to talk to some one but idk how they can help till after the year (student loan will be done yay). Queen you made me smile, it's crazy how stuff is now days i'm 24 & remember when gas was $1.20 lol i just don't understan stuff. Like my sent is going up a $100 and no one is getting raises lol bs i say but it'll be ok. Use everything sparingly Lmao and yep i feel fortunate that i'm able to have things for cleaning, i just wish i wouldn't be so stressed about it i hope no one has to but Blah it's how it is i will have to check out the suggestion at a pc. thank you all i'm sorry if i 4got a reply on someone but i do appreciate it all on reply and felling it i'm not alone and thanks all for the suggestions! I will just need to sit down again and figure things out with my boyfriend he always tells me it works out in the end some how:-) i doubt it at times but i need to believe in it :-)