You've GOT to be kidding, right?!

A colleague at the paying the rent and maybe the food and yay I still have at least one job job forwarded me a link to an article entitled Frugalise your life. At first I was intrigued and ready to learn more. This was soon followed by raucous laughter, the sound of knee slapping and falling off my chair. (OK , maybe not really the last bit but you get the idea)

How's this for an example?

"the cost of hiring (a dress for an event) ranges from $50-180... It's designer wear at true discount prices — and no cluttering up the wardrobe either! "

How out of touch am I? I'd expect to BUY an outfit for an event for that amount. No, I take that back. The last formal outfit I bought for a cruise cost me $40. Including the footwear.

Then there's this:

"If you are cutting right back, Lawrence recommends the following essentials for every bathroom cabinet:"

Fair enough. But item number two states:

"Serum — "It can be pricey (upwards of $80), but an anti-ageing antioxidant serum is a brilliant investment, especially if you're cutting back on facials."

Yup, I can see that's a frugal essential. *guffaw* And "cutting back on facials"? That assumes you have them in the first place...

But wait! There's more! Check out item number five:

"Gradual tanner"

Oh yeah, that's really frugal. And totally necessary. Not.

And at the end of this list of "essentials"?

"Manicure — "There's a $20-a-pop nail bar on every corner these days. It's a lovely treat and time-out."

(Or you can do it at home for free if you're that hung up on them...)

Then there's this:

"She also suggests talking to your hairdresser about doing colour touch-ups at home yourself, thereby meaning you only need to pay for a professional colour every 12 weeks or so. "If you ask them, they will tell you how to do the touch-ups and sell you the products you need," she says."

(Or you could just not colour your hair...)

Oddly enough, I'm not awaiting part two with baited breath!