Is it more expensive being a woman or a man?

[Broken Arrow]

Have you seen men showing off tools to other men? I know my guy does. He has more than he needs because he is fascinated with them. He use household as an excuse to buy them but does he get the chore done? He also has a collection of about 50 flashlights.

Haha, now that's my kinda guy....

I mean, I could see why you would be upset. As neat as his tools and flashlights may be, he doesn't actually need all that. Absolutely.

Say, is he home right now? Just wondering what kind of flashlights... hello? Hello?

[jIM_Ohio]

when single, it could go either way. Men with toys and beer (and buying women drinks) to women and their necessities.

A man's expenses will spike before he gets married. Engagement rings are not cheap. If man insists on getting a similar engagement gift back (I got a 300 disc CD player, satellite dish and surround sound) it all evens out.

A tux for a wedding is around $100. My wife's wedding dress was $700. From that point forward it is clearly more expensive being a woman.

[Gruntina]

A tux for a wedding is around $100. My wife's wedding dress was $700. From that point forward it is clearly more expensive being a woman.

True! Wedding expenses is something that cost more for the women regardless if the women paid for it or if her family paid. I miss the very old days where the men had to have a house built in order to marry a women. lol!

[LuxLiving]

ehh, we bought my son a very nice tux at a garage sale for $10.

[Caoineag]

I resent the implication that as a girl I don't have expensive electronics (I am the video gamer and computer freak in my house). :P

Also, on the plain dressing issue, I would like to point out that where you work has a big impact on how expensive your wardrobe is required to be for both genders. I am definitely the simplest dressed person in my office and it has been noted.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Women for sure. My husband and I use the same shampoo, facial wash, etc. It's cheap stuff, but at least it's the same.

However, when you have less than 2 cm hair and my hair is 12 inches, um who do you think uses more shampoo? I use a razor to shave my legs, he doesn't. I use lotion afterwards, he doesn't.

He only uses 1 electric razor to shave. This does not count the feminine products. Also consider I need a "purse" to go out, he carries just a wallet. Since when do women only carry wallets?

Toilet paper, need I mention how much more women need to use because we sit? He mentions it all the time! And since we have a male roomie, whose had guests, he's noticed how little he uses and how much female guests use.

These are just a few differences in things which are supposed to be equal! Sorry but it doesn't work out fairly.

[Gruntina]

Can I change my mind?

As far as the nitty gritty bare basic, I can see it can cost more for women as they have to deal with more(except I do not believe men eat a mere 400 calories more than women, its seems a lot more by looking at consumption in the general public) this could break it even with the money that goes to the hygiene product. I could argue that men are the cause of pregnancy in women and they cause 50% of the medical bill to happen even though it is not on their bodies lol!

In a light note of general spending - I do feel that men go for bigger ticket item more often than women.

[Broken Arrow]

I resent the implication that as a girl I don't have expensive electronics (I am the video gamer and computer freak in my house). :P

Oh behalf of internet geeks everywhere, I salute you.

[Snave]

I'm going to have to go with women as well. I won't say froma necessities standpoint, b/c I am sure anyone could find less expensive places to get hair cuts, nails done, etc... but if you throw that into a "semi-necessity" category, then it has to be women. My haircut costs $11. I gurantee my wife would not go to Jack's Barbershop to get her hair done. I also don't get my nails done, buy make-up, etc... If you throw in hobbies, etc...I would say that in our hosehold, when it comes to hobbies, mine are more expensive. I seem to have the higher priced toys. So, I guess it evens out.

[cptacek]

I think it is the same with cars where a women may feel unsafe if having a clunker that can break down in the middle of nowhere.

In hindsight, it was a mistake, but I bought a new pickup because I was driving 8 hours one way about once a month to see my family. I didn't want to be stuck in the middle of Oklahoma in the middle of the night if something went wrong with my other vehicle.

[cptacek]

I use a razor to shave my legs, he doesn't. I use lotion afterwards, he doesn't.

You use lotion after you shave your legs! OUCH!!!

[disneysteve]

Interesting thread and responses. My wife is definitely not the "typical" woman as she cuts her own hair, doesn't wear make-up, doesn't do her nails (or have them done) and doesn't wear perfume.

Still, I'd have to agree with the majority and say women are more expensive. There are the necessities related to the monthly cycle. I don't even want to know how much we've spent in that department over the years (and it is even worse now that our daughter is of that age).

As for non-necessities, you've got even basic jewelry - a necklace, a bracelet and a pair of earrings. Compare that to the buy who is just fine with zilch. the woman has a different pair of shoes for every outfit. The guy has 2 pairs - one brown, one black. The woman has multiple purses for different outfits, occasions and seasons. The man has one wallet that he uses year-round and keeps for many years. Mine is probably 10 years old. The woman wears stockings that are shot after one or two uses. The man wears socks that last for years. I could go on and on. Even with a wife who I feel is very low maintenance (that's why I love her), she's still way more expensive than I am.

[MonkeyMama]

I think I'm a lot like you. I have a serviceable wardrobe that is clean and works for most occasions. I don't need a whole lot of fancy clothes or to slavishly follow trends. I have a few pieces that I splurged on, but that's discretionary spending.

I don't wear makeup except for on special occasions (not worth the money or time for me), and I don't have an elaborate hairstyle or lots of jewelry. I don't need 56 separate moisturizers and potions to get ready in the morning. I own 8 pairs of shoes--about the same as DH.

I don't think of myself as "butch", unattractive, or lacking style. I prefer to consider myself simple, clean, natural, and unaffected.

I don't begrudge anyone wanting to be more elaborate with their personal habits or clothing--it can be fun and some people really enjoy it. But you just can't blur the line between needs and wants.

Amen.

I don't really identify with the "need" for spending money on my hair or nails or even wearing makeup.

That butch comment made me laugh. I am not butch in the least. I just don't buy into the whole product thing.

Likewise, I don't really identify with the jewelry, accessory, pile of shoe things.

My husband and I don't really spend our money very differently.

Oh, I know I am unique. BUT I cringe that women really believe they have to spend a lot of money on products to be feminine or attractive. Or you have to have a pair of shoes for every outfit. It just reminds me with Keeping up with the Joneses thing. If you enjoy it, is one thing. That's your perogative. But when you call women who don't buy into it "butch, that's pretty ignorant. I know plenty of beautiful/feminine women who don't buy into all that.

[syracusa]

Amen.

I don't really identify with the "need" for spending money on my hair or nails or even wearing makeup.

That butch comment made me laugh. I am not butch in the least. I just don't buy into the whole product thing.

Likewise, I don't really identify with the jewelry, accessory, pile of shoe things.

My husband and I don't really spend our money very differently.

Oh, I know I am unique. BUT I cringe that women really believe they have to spend a lot of money on products to be feminine or attractive. Or you have to have a pair of shoes for every outfit. It just reminds me with Keeping up with the Joneses thing. If you enjoy it, is one thing. That's your perogative. But when you call women who don't buy into it "butch, that's pretty ignorant. I know plenty of beautiful/feminine women who don't buy into all that.

Well...I am sorry to say that not ALL women can pull off the feminine look the "natural" way. Yes, I know women such as yourself - who look perfectly fine without having their faces touched by anything. That's the natural type. I am not that type and I would go so far as to say that most women cannot just come out of bed, comb their hair, wash their face and get out the door with a look that society would deem feminine/pleasent/attractive. You can pour all the feminist propaganda you want into it, you will still have a large percentage of women who will simply NOT look good the natural way.

If you are one of those women who can sport the natural look, good for you and lucky you. But most women do not have that advantage.

I have noticed way too many posters around here posting the "ignorant" remark as soon as their views differ from what they read. Now that's not terribly smart either.

[aida2003]

In general, when spending ONLY for personal stuff, then it's definitely a WOMAN who is more expensive. If you add toys men love (cars, BestBuy gadgets, or tools sometimes), then it'd probably men who'd be ahead with more spending.

In our family, I'm more expensive, but compared to the rest of (CONSUMING) ladies, I'm dirt cheap, I should say.
Yes, I like to apply make-up (born and raised in Eastern Europe afterall, where women always look sharp), but I hardly do now due to time constraints. Kids is one thing and I rather sleep longer than spend an hour in front of a mirror. . So, I just use a pencil for eyes before leaving the house to work and then apply lipstick in the car when the light is red.
DH gave me good perfume 4 years ago for V-day and I've still got half.
Since I detest cloth shopping (for myself and DD), I go when I really feel I need it.
Hopefully today an ultrasound will show I'm expecting a boy. Boys are so PRACTICAL to have.