A new play on the old lipstick index. Society likes to use women’s buying habits (especially on beautification) as an indicator with the implication always that women are frittering their funds away. From what I have seen women are usually more financially responsible and able to do more with so much less.
Using ChatGPT for free "therapy" (in the article she says she uses it multiple times a day!!) is a TERRIFYING place to be. But this kind of BS from WSJ is exactly where most personal finance content inevitably leads when the focus is on the individual, not the system.
Thanks (yet again!) for tying it back to reality! They will say almost anything to try to get us to blame anyone but them (but hopefully ourselves and each other) for having to make choices.
Side note: As a manicurist, I’d guess at-home press-ons are popular because the technology is better than ever. People can get salon-grade designs at 10pm in their bathroom after the kids are in bed. And the marketing is better than ever, too. Heck, even manicurists use professional press-on products so we can focus on nail art. It offers accessibility in so many ways!
Thank you for adding this context! That makes so much sense. Another great reason (and one a journalist should investigate) that this is not any kind of indicator at all.
This is a really great essay. I really appreciate you're perspective on money, this is one of the places I go when I need both a reality check about money and place for thoughtful contemplation.
Thank you for drawing attention to the systemic barriers that lead to wealth inequality. Women being afraid to ride the subway late at night and having to pay more to be safe. Combining that fact with the fact that she's already paid less than her male counterparts and no doubt finances will not be fixed by skipping a few lattes. I'm about to go get my pedicure because I definitely like pretty toes. Sadly, if a male walked around in sandals without a pedicure, no one would bat an eye. As a woman, I would be judged if someone saw unpainted toes. Make it make sense! Patriarchy stinks!
A new play on the old lipstick index. Society likes to use women’s buying habits (especially on beautification) as an indicator with the implication always that women are frittering their funds away. From what I have seen women are usually more financially responsible and able to do more with so much less.
Yes! Research always finds women to be much more conservative with money than men!
Thank you SO much for this! Can we stop vilifying people who are just trying to live, and start protecting each other (women, men, all genders)?
PLEASE!
Using ChatGPT for free "therapy" (in the article she says she uses it multiple times a day!!) is a TERRIFYING place to be. But this kind of BS from WSJ is exactly where most personal finance content inevitably leads when the focus is on the individual, not the system.
I thought so, too! If I were the editor, I'd have been like, we need to dig into this further or leave it out, can't just skim it here.
And, yes, this is 100% what an individual focus gives us.
Thank you for this! I’m so tired but you are a breath of fresh air.
Thanks (yet again!) for tying it back to reality! They will say almost anything to try to get us to blame anyone but them (but hopefully ourselves and each other) for having to make choices.
Side note: As a manicurist, I’d guess at-home press-ons are popular because the technology is better than ever. People can get salon-grade designs at 10pm in their bathroom after the kids are in bed. And the marketing is better than ever, too. Heck, even manicurists use professional press-on products so we can focus on nail art. It offers accessibility in so many ways!
Thank you for adding this context! That makes so much sense. Another great reason (and one a journalist should investigate) that this is not any kind of indicator at all.
This is a really great essay. I really appreciate you're perspective on money, this is one of the places I go when I need both a reality check about money and place for thoughtful contemplation.
Thank you so much! So happy you're here :)
💯🔥🔥🔥
AMEN. Thank you for this.
Thank you for drawing attention to the systemic barriers that lead to wealth inequality. Women being afraid to ride the subway late at night and having to pay more to be safe. Combining that fact with the fact that she's already paid less than her male counterparts and no doubt finances will not be fixed by skipping a few lattes. I'm about to go get my pedicure because I definitely like pretty toes. Sadly, if a male walked around in sandals without a pedicure, no one would bat an eye. As a woman, I would be judged if someone saw unpainted toes. Make it make sense! Patriarchy stinks!