When does a luxury become a neccesity

[Suz D]

I'm interested in opinions. When does a luxury become a neccesity for you? I'm a pretty frugal person and try to cut corners when I can.

I have been battling my skin for about 2 years. I have extremely dry skin... red and flaky. I can't wear my usual bare minerals foundation because my skin is just too dry. I've struggled to find a foundation that will work and I've tried numerous skin care products (some expensive and some purchased at Walmart) without any long term success.

I finally found something that works wonderfully. It's all natural and pharmecutically (is that even spelled right?) tested. I've been using it two weeks and the difference is VERY noticable. The only drawback is that the entire 5 step program is $150.00 to start and each individual item runs anywhere from $28-58 when I run out. There are also two other products in the line that will add extra moisture to my skin and I'd like to try both of them.

Keeping in mind my frugal nature and also the fact that my dry skin is a constant source of embarrassment to me, would you consider the luxurious skin care products a necessity? Having the $$ to spend is not an issue, we're comfortable financially and the cost can be worked into our budget. It's just spending that much on "beauty" products is hard to justify)

Thoughts?

 

[TimeforMe]

Having the $$ to spend is not an issue, we're comfortable financially and the cost can be worked into our budget. It's just spending that much on "beauty" products is hard to justify)

Thoughts?

As far as I'm concerned, this is a no-brainer. You can afford, it makes you look and feel better so where's the conflict? Yes--do something nice for yourself.

 

[Hannathy]

As far as I'm concerned, this is a no-brainer. You can afford, it makes you look and feel better so where's the conflict? Yes--do something nice for yourself.

I agree! especially when you said you are comfortable financially. that is what it is there for.

As long as your bills are paid and you are feeding your kids and animals then go right ahead and don't think twice about it.

 

[Minnie]

As far as I'm concerned, this is a no-brainer. You can afford, it makes you look and feel better so where's the conflict? Yes--do something nice for yourself.

100% agreed

 

[worm761]

I have very dry skin. I refuse to use cheap lotions or moisturizers for my skin. My skin will get so dry that it cracks and bleeds so I feel that a good moisturizer is not a luxury but rather a need.

If you have found nothing else that works and you can afford it, then I say buy it.

 

[SweetPeasMom2]

Having problem skin (dry, oily, acne, etc) is no fun. I know. Sometimes, the cheap stuff just.doesn't.work. You can afford it, so use it. If your skin feels good and you look good, then you'll feel better overall.

 

[Fyrefly]

I think we all have a right to strive for maintaining a quality of life that makes us comfortable.

It sounds like this dry skin really affects your life in a negative way. I'd honestly consider the products as more of a medication than a cosmetic in your budget. Like I need decent acne products. I don't consider the cost, it's something I personally "need" to make my skin look its best, and that makes me happy.

That's not saying if there was some sort of disaster, the skin care would have to go at some point between things like eating out and before reaching things like basic food and prescriptions. But I won't ever judge someone who is responsible in their life and with their budget and does something that makes them happy.

I mean really, think about how much more positively this will affect your life than saving the money. Let's pretend this costs $300 a month. Would you rather not ever have to worry about your skin, or have $3600 stashed away for no particular reason since it sounds like you are fine financially. If the product ends up not being all you hoped, you can always stop using it and find something different.

Live a little and don't be so hard on yourself, I say.

 

[LIFERBABE]

A luxury is a necessity when it comes to your health. Dry cracked skin can lead to further complications and infections.

I would budget for it just like any prescription drug.

 

[dixonismydog]

A luxury is a necessity when it comes to your health. Dry cracked skin can lead to further complications and infections.

I would budget for it just like any prescription drug.

TOTALLY agreed......your skin is an organ, like any other part of your body. Your skin needs to be healthy......

Glad you finally found something that works for you!!

That being said, I would probably be looking at the internal problems that are causing your skin to be so problematic. I don't want to start any kind of argument about medical care....but I will just put it out there, that perhaps considering seeing a homeopath or someone that practices chinese medicine, would be something you could consider. It worked for me.....but of course it all depends on your beliefs, in that type of treatment. I do believe "you are what you absorb" and hopefully the ingredients in this skin treatment are not too harsh.

 

[luvmy3]

I wouldn't consider that a luxury, because of what it does for you I would consider it a necessity and worth every penny spent on it.

 

[jgates]

If it is non-prescription, watch for it on eBay. They have virtually anything on there. I had a 'sell at home' type of cream I really liked (now I can't remember the name of the company!). When I purchased it from the rep it was like $38 for the small bottle of under-eye cream. When I looked for it on eBay it was about $21 for the same thing. So make sure you watch there!

 

[Bethmsu]

For me, this is why I am frugal. If I save money where I can, then I can splurge in areas where I can not. This is different for everyone but if you have the money I say go for it.

 

[eliza61]

You have to define "neccesity". Do I need an expensive bag to live, no. would I buy one if I couldn't afford it. no. If I save for it, will I feel guilty about buying it. no.

For me life is about balance. Yes, I try to live within my means and save for a rainy day but IMO, living for only "neccesities" is not really living, it's more like simply existing.

balance.

 

[Gigi22]

In this life you need to take care of yourself, and the ones you love. Sometimes a luxury is a necessity. You need to feel good in your skin, and this case, this is a literal truth. Spend the money.

 

[MrsPete]

I'm interested in opinions. When does a luxury become a neccesity for you? I'm a pretty frugal person and try to cut corners when I can.

I have been battling my skin for about 2 years. I have extremely dry skin... red and flaky. I can't wear my usual bare minerals foundation because my skin is just too dry. I've struggled to find a foundation that will work and I've tried numerous skin care products (some expensive and some purchased at Walmart) without any long term success.

I finally found something that works wonderfully. It's all natural and pharmecutically (is that even spelled right?) tested. I've been using it two weeks and the difference is VERY noticable. The only drawback is that the entire 5 step program is $150.00 to start and each individual item runs anywhere from $28-58 when I run out. There are also two other products in the line that will add extra moisture to my skin and I'd like to try both of them.

Keeping in mind my frugal nature and also the fact that my dry skin is a constant source of embarrassment to me, would you consider the luxurious skin care products a necessity? Having the $$ to spend is not an issue, we're comfortable financially and the cost can be worked into our budget. It's just spending that much on "beauty" products is hard to justify)

Thoughts?

This isn't really the question you asked, but it might be useful information: Around the time I turned 40 I developed problems with red, flaky, dry skin. This was a big surprise to me because I'd had incredibly oily skin all my life, and it just turned around in no time. I tried all sorts of moisturizers -- cheap and expensive -- and nothing helped. A few things worked initially, but then stopped helping after a couple weeks. I'd put moisturizer onto the worst areas (between my eyes, the sides of my nose, and marriotte lines under my mouth), and an hour later it'd look flakey again. My skin was so dry that it was actually painful; I wouldn't really have thought that was possible.

Finally I broke down and went to the doctor. He gave me a prescription cream that -- like the drug store items -- helped for a bit, but then stopped.

So he sent me to the dermatologist, who immediately solved my problems. Turns out I have both Exema and Rosasea. He said that the cream the general doctor gave me was too strong for me; he says that everyone's skin becomes more sensitive /thinner as we age, and the doctor'd given me something appropriate for a teenager. The dermatologist prescribed a $50 prescription cream that erased the Exema in a month -- well worth the cost. No more flakiness, no more pain. He also told me to start using Vanicream products; they're meant for sensitive skin, and they're sold over the counter. A 9-oz bottle of moisturizer is $7.50, a bar of soap is $2.49. Using these moderately-priced products has kept the Exema from returning, though I doubt they'd have been "enough" without that prescription cream at the beginning. My problem was severe enough that it needed medication.

I'm using two inexpensive creams for the Rosasea, and they're not quite as successful as the Exema medicine. But they keep the redness at bay.

My advice: Go to the dermatologist. Your skin sounds very much like mine, and I really suspect you're describing Exema. If so, it's a medical condition and needs medication.

 

[disneychic2]

I see your conflict. It is hard to "splurge" on ourselves. Think of it this way: If one of your family members had the dry skin and this possible solution, would you buy the products? Enough said?

 

[cocodog]

I would classify the products as "necessity" rather than luxury. Good luck with your choices

 

[pigletto]

This isn't really the question you asked, but it might be useful information: Around the time I turned 40 I developed problems with red, flaky, dry skin. This was a big surprise to me because I'd had incredibly oily skin all my life, and it just turned around in no time. I tried all sorts of moisturizers -- cheap and expensive -- and nothing helped. A few things worked initially, but then stopped helping after a couple weeks. I'd put moisturizer onto the worst areas (between my eyes, the sides of my nose, and marriotte lines under my mouth), and an hour later it'd look flakey again. My skin was so dry that it was actually painful; I wouldn't really have thought that was possible.

Finally I broke down and went to the doctor. He gave me a prescription cream that -- like the drug store items -- helped for a bit, but then stopped.

So he sent me to the dermatologist, who immediately solved my problems. Turns out I have both Exema and Rosasea. He said that the cream the general doctor gave me was too strong for me; he says that everyone's skin becomes more sensitive /thinner as we age, and the doctor'd given me something appropriate for a teenager. The dermatologist prescribed a $50 prescription cream that erased the Exema in a month -- well worth the cost. No more flakiness, no more pain. He also told me to start using Vanicream products; they're meant for sensitive skin, and they're sold over the counter. A 9-oz bottle of moisturizer is $7.50, a bar of soap is $2.49. Using these moderately-priced products has kept the Exema from returning, though I doubt they'd have been "enough" without that prescription cream at the beginning. My problem was severe enough that it needed medication.

I'm using two inexpensive creams for the Rosasea, and they're not quite as successful as the Exema medicine. But they keep the redness at bay.

My advice: Go to the dermatologist. Your skin sounds very much like mine, and I really suspect you're describing Exema. If so, it's a medical condition and needs medication.

I was going to suggest something, but this post says it all. I think you have every right to spend that money on yourself. If you haven't seen a dermatologist please do though. What they perscribe could actually end up being cheaper or covered by insurance and you may not have to spend much at all. It's worth looking into

Also, though I don't have the level of discomofort that you are describing I do get very dry skin in the winter and the amount of water I drink has a HUGE and very noticable impact on how my skin is.