Do women spend more money than men?
By joshua_w
@joshua_w (501)
Malaysia
September 11, 2007 2:48am CST
Just had a thought here. Money. We may argue that it may not be the most important thing and yet it's still a very important part of our lives. We need air, we need food and water, we need love. Yes, but we still need money to survive.
Do you think that women spend more money than men? Men knows that a woman likes to spend money on clothes, shoes, handbags, spa treatment and cosmetic items like skincare and perfume. While women knows a man would splurge on cars, computers, hi-fi's, hardware tools, silly gadgets which they consider cool, PSP or Xbox.
Men will generally say that a woman would spend more the a man unless he's a big spender himself. What about the women? Do they think men are the big spender on unnecessary things, like the fastest graphics processor or one of those cool hi-fi tube amplifiers.
Well, what do you think? Give me your thoughts on this. We'll try to make this a light topic.
4 people like this
20 responses
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
11 Sep 07
In the past men used to say that women spent more money. What they forgot was that when the woman spent money on groceries, the man ate most of them. When she spent money on bed sheets and blankets, he slept under them too. If she spent money on her hair and clothes, he said it was too much, but if she did not spend money on her hair and clothes, then he said she looked "dumpy" and should fix herself up! There was no way to win!
Now things are changing a bit. More women earn a decent living from their own paychecks and that gives us autonomy in our spending. When I bought a new car for my husband, he did not say, "Oh, take it back, you spent too much!" He also did not say that I could not ride in it. He even lets me drive it sometimes, although that is not such a big deal, since I bought myself one too, although mine cost much less. That is because I needed the rest of the money to buy the fastest graphics processor for myself, lol.
3 people like this
@joshua_w (501)
• Malaysia
11 Sep 07
Hey, i really liked your responses (as always). My wife used to say exactly the same thing about the grocery, bed sheets and clothes, haha. And yes, she bought me a (quite) chic mobile phone for my birthday. I did not said "Oh, take it back, i can't accept this" as i quite liked the phone actually. Hmm, men do practised double-standards i guess, or is it just me?
So, you now have a fast graphics card. Wonder if you play any computer games then?
@jennysp8 (855)
• United States
11 Sep 07
I won't try to speak on the entire population but I can on my own home and family. I spend more money then my husband for sure. But that is because I stay at home with the kids while he works full time. I shop for the food, clothes for everyone, basic household needs, I write out the bills, etc. He basically doesn't even know what it says in our checkbook. He doesn't buy alot of anything. We just bought him a new computer though. But notice I said we?
Because even though he is the one it was for - it was for the entire family as a backup to the one I use and so that he had a better computer which he is using for schooling (to get a better job for us all).
Thanks!!
2 people like this
@joshua_w (501)
• Malaysia
12 Sep 07
Many who had written here (most are women, i gathered) had their priorities right. Most women put their families first before themselves. And spending on a new computer for education purpose and to a better life for the family is certainly money well-spent.
@marymarj2002 (1769)
• Philippines
11 Sep 07
Generally women have more needs and wants than men. From the accessories to clothes, make up and all beauty products. But products for women are cheaper compared to men. This is based here in our country. But most of men's needs are expensive. So, this issue if who of the two gender spend more money for me is not dependent on the gender of a person. It is on the persons value of life and how he is brought up.
2 people like this
@joshua_w (501)
• Malaysia
11 Sep 07
"Most of men's needs are expensive". Hmm, not necessarily so. I'm satisfied just with my hifi and music collection, besides my parents and my wife, of course. But come to think of it, a persons' value and upbringing may play a role in their outlook on money and finance.
@ciades (1623)
• Philippines
11 Sep 07
For me you can't say so. Woman and man have an individual needs and wants. Woman and man are both human. I have a several woman friends who are not spending a lot of money. They know how to spend it wisely. And i have a several guy friends too that spending a lot of money for there own stuff than spending it for the needs of there family. So it's depend to the person not on gender. :-)
1 person likes this
@eliezl (610)
• Philippines
12 Sep 07
women spend more money compared to men i guess since women are more vain than men so they ought to buy some of those beauty products, clothes to be pretty... lol =)) i guess thats my opinion bein a woman myself and all hehehe
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
12 Sep 07
Who says all women like to spend money on the things you mentioned? I am a woman and I only buy clothes when it is needed (i.e. worn out, holes, ripped, etc). I currently have 2 pairs of shoes (one pair being sandals while the other pair of shoes are falling apart), I have 1 purse (handbag), I don't go to the spa, and I don't wear perfume or makeup. Oh yeah, and my husband trims my hair so I don't go to the salon either. :P So long as I have a roof over my head and food on the table, I'm content. :)
I am one low maintenance kind of gal. :D
Okay, so I'm looking to buy a car soon, but with having two kids it is more of a necessity than anything else...
1 person likes this
@Sharon38 (1912)
• Jamaica
11 Sep 07
Well i would not know the compariosn to any man's spending of money Joshus because you see I have never lived with one. What I do know though is that I spend much more money on educating myslef, my child and catering to her needs than I spend on shoes and clothes. I have a budget and I do try to live by it. I hardly succeed though because something always comes up where I have to trash something for that emergency. My house is not filled with furniture just what we need but my cable and internt bills will soon oput me out to dry though. You see when others spend on clothes, hairstyles (am natural by the way, no chemical nor addition), handbags or shoes I have to think of food for my child who will soon strip my pocket and clothes for her and everyday her school dreams up anothe way of taking my money from me. Also I like to be comfortable at home so I have my computer and internet access along with the cable for my daughter. So thats it
1 person likes this
@joshua_w (501)
• Malaysia
12 Sep 07
Well, nicely written there. Money spend on improving oneself like getting an education is not actually expenses per se. It's the best investment one could make on the self. And spending on the needs of your child is certainly a necessity. Hey, i learned something from you: schools always can think of something to get the parents money, even where i lived. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Sharon.
@sahmmommy (47)
• United States
11 Sep 07
In my relationship, my husband is the big spender. Most of the things I buy are for our daughter or our home. My husband spends money on the old car he's restoring, stereo equipment, and computer stuff. That's why I manage our finances.
1 person likes this
@ssf12ster (488)
• India
12 Sep 07
yes theydo spend. they are very health and beauty conscious. they spend for the perfumes,soaps, and a to z of all type of cosmeics and blah blah.but yesterday i watched a show o tv showing men trying to trim thier eyebrows etc lol what a sight it was.men do spend on only haircuts,deo,sunglasses,mobile,shoes and clothes only . basic needs.the women also spend for the kids indirectly.
@ayu_asks (104)
• United States
11 Sep 07
hee heee.. i think women spend more [number of items] but cheaper price. Men spend less often but their average purchase amount is higher than women... he he he... however! men spends on women more than women spend on men ~ so i think men spends more! he he he.... cheers... myhandbaghaven.blogspot.com
@joshua_w (501)
• Malaysia
12 Sep 07
Men spends more on women. Now that's a thought. We'd all seen those movies where the rich and married guys spend more money on his mistress than his wife. And it happened in real life too. So, that means a man spends more than a woman in this case, haha. Cheers.
@bbn8829 (7)
•
12 Sep 07
Mabye sometimes they spend more money than man,but,what's wrong?a women if she like she can buy everything she like,the just problem is money,it they bought,proved they have money.
it also depends on,a women and a man,who is more rich,
hehe
jok.if a rich women, of course she spend more money then that poor man.
1 person likes this
@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
13 Sep 07
I think my husband spends just as much as I do. He buys as many clothes, and while his clothes aren't always as expensive as mine are, his hobbies cost just as much and his electronics cost more.
1 person likes this
@cefaz_21 (2596)
• Philippines
11 Sep 07
generally speaking, yeah, women are much big spender than man,because women has more needs like those beauty stuff,and women are lured into fashion,nrand clothes,of what's in and what's not..but that's speaking in general.
If I try to be more specific like in my case,it would be my husband.I am the one who is in much control in spending,I try to spend money as wise as I can because I know it is hard earned and I am into saving side.
My husband is more of like the compulsive buyer in us so I make sure I give him tips on how not to spend much and ask him to save and save and save.
1 person likes this
@williamjisir (22819)
• China
11 Sep 07
It depends on which respect women spend more money or not. Like what you mentioned here that women spend much money on their fashion clothes, jewelry, beautiful shoes, handbags, spa treatment, cosmetic items etc. In this respect, it is women's hobby to spend money on this, but men love to spend more money on cars and all of those hi-technical stuff. This may cost more as they are no cheap at all though they don't have to always buy these. To buy once is enough since it is so expensive to have these things. As to women's interest in buying what is mentioned above, it is far less expensive but as they need to often buy and use them, it is still expensive. So I don't think that it is an easy question to answer.
1 person likes this
@Ricko82 (584)
• Philippines
11 Sep 07
In general, I think men and women are the same when it comes to spending money. Like I've said, this is just my opinion as I have not come accross with a formal studyon this issue. The difference, however, is where men and women spend these moneys. Us guys love to be scrimp until we found the next X-box edition and blow our savings there. Women on the other spend on this smaller, cheaper things but they buy them regularly like make up and stuff. So I guess at the end of the day, the amount of money spent is still even.
On a side note, I'm glad to have found another male to join myLot. Our kind is seldom found here, so I'm gonna take this chanceto add you as a friend, and welcome youto myLot. I hope you'll like your stay.
Cheers!
@joshua_w (501)
• Malaysia
12 Sep 07
Yes, i understand that exactly. Women spends regularly on their facial and skincare regime. But when i really think about it, they have a perfectly good reasons for that. As for Mylot, i'll try to post more interesting subject from time to time if i can think of some good ones. Thanks.
@alamode (3071)
• United States
13 Sep 07
I don't use cosmetics or go anywhere that requires expensive clothes or jewelry. I'm not abnormal... most of the people I know are the same way.
Hun likes sports cars... but this will be different than you expect...
We put everything into our home and our daily needs: food, utilities, taxes, savings for retirement. It is all to make both of us comfortable.
He buys cars, but he buys them very cheaply, repairs them beautifully, and sells or trades them. If money comes from these deals, he buys more cars, and keeps his hobby going.
But if we have an emergency, the cars are like a bank account... he sells one or many. He has always been proud of being able to support his 'bad habit'( his obsession with cars), and never touch 'OUR' money!
1 person likes this
@viroop (155)
• China
11 Sep 07
i fell free to respond ,i dont feel so because they feel happy to spend more for house itself and we feel happy for such things but when they spent littlke to thier personal things we just try to point thenm its a bad.
we also just spend to our acessories too, we shuold be open to them also evn they always spend all their pocket money to keep house lokking great isn't it?
