The LipStick Effect and Frugal Livingby Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger 19 Nov 2008 05:20 AM
What is the lipstick effect? The term came about because of our most recent world war. At that time, money was very tight, and people could not spend much money on luxury items. This is similar to today's situation and our difficult economy. Almost everyone is trying to save money and live frugally. An interesting phenomena occurs during times of economic hardship. Specifically during the war years, sales of lipsticks soared. Women at that time needed a little luxury in their lives and it was easy to justify spending a small amount on a lipstick or two. Today, we are seeing some of this same phenomena taking place, although a little bit differently. Discount stores such as dollar stores and Wal-mart are seeing very good sales in comparison to the rest of retail. Thrift stores and second-hand shops are also doing well. The lipstick effect can work to your advantage. If you treat yourself to a little something here and there within a budget you may be less likely to feel deprived and go out and blow your budget. Reward yourself for not eating out during the month with a $5 movie from the discount rack, for example. But the downside to the lipstick effect is that it is still possible to overbuy, especially in this day and age where credit is more easily attained, and there are all sorts of "inexpensive" products. Spending $50 is a dollar store is still spending $50, even if you can get 50 items for it instead of one or two more expensive items. What are your favorite "lipstick effect" items to buy? Click here for more articles by Mary Ann Romans. Are Recession Bargain Hunters Making It Harder to Be Frugal? The Recession and Garage Sales Recession Giving Birth to More Frugals
Just look to the right of this blog and find the subscription center (it looks just like this picture, although you'll have to find the "real" one just above the category listing ). Click on "Subscribe via Email". You'll be instantly subscribed and the email address that you registered at Families.com with will receive an instant notification whenever we post a new Frugal Living Blog! Don't miss a thing - subscribe now! Learn more about Mary Ann Romans  Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat. Relevantfrugal tags User Comments Memartha (241) 19 Nov 2008 04:14 PMLipstick fine dining! Read: McDonald's dollar menu. I can get 4 McNuggets and a side salad for $2.00. Good for the diet, too: under 200 calories. Community Tags frugal living, lipstick effect, recession, WWII Discuss this article
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