Frugality Thread for Luxury Lovers

by Open mind 15 Replies latest social physical

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  Open mind

  I'm not a coupon clipper nor do I have an eagle eye for Early Bird dining specials. I have nothing against those who do, it's just an area that I can currently afford to choose not to expend brain energy on.

  I stumbled upon a website about a year ago that turns the mundane chore of shaving into a snooty, high-class activity. I read some of the articles out of curiosity and was about to move on when I noticed a comment about shaving soap. They said it was cheap. Everything else on the site was super-duper GQ ultra-expensive. (Over $1,000 for the most expensive straight razor set. Ouch!)

  Long story short, the next time I was at the drug store I had my eye out for shaving soap and found a mug, brush and cake of soap for $8.99.

  

  I'm still on that first cake of soap and I started using it a year ago. Replacement soap is $1.99.

  I was probably spending $20-30 per year on Edge shaving gel. I had never considered shaving soap because the few times in my life I had used BAR soap in a pinch, it dried out my skin BIG TIME. This stuff is 40% moisturizers and doesn't dry out my skin at all.

  I'm saving at least $20/year. I don't have to remember to buy more gel every couple months. I feel all snooty and upper crust every time I use the brush.

  Cheap thrills.

  BTW, here's an article on "Great Shaving Lather -- Fast and Easy"

  http://www.classicshaving.com/articles/article/590351/18187.htm

  Oh yeah, for the record, I'm definitely not pimping that website. It's ridiculously over priced. Just buy a mug, brush and SHAVING soap at your local drug store.

  Anybody else got a money saver that INCREASES your feeling of luxury?

  om
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  snowbird

  http://www.goodwill.org/

  Go when you have the time to browse.

  Sylvia
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  JWoods

  Stop this.

  Soon EVERYONE will be able to drive a Ferrari.
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  snowbird

  LOL.

  Sylvia
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  Elsewhere

  I have a very thick beard and need something like Edge Shaving Gel, otherwise bad things happen when I shave.

  I'm always up for a better way of doing something... but am concerned about how much it lubricates. Can you vouch for it?

  > Cheap thrills.

  I'm all for cheap thrills!

  I look at my savings account balance the way most people look at a video game score. I'm always trying to get a new high score!
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  Open mind

  sylvia:

  Thanks for the tip!

  JWWoods:

  LOL.

  Elsewhere:

  This particular brand, Van Der Hagen, is the cheapest shaving soap in the US (I think). Therefore, the reviews on it, (yes there are actually people who take the time to review shaving soap, myself included now ) are not that great compared to more expensive soaps. You might consider trying a fancier soap or shaving cream that still costs less than Edge. Just a thought.

  Here's one guy's review:

  http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=14109

  om
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  nelly136

  cheap hair conditioner makes a good shaving base cream for a silky finish when you do your legs.

  coconut bronzing oil is a nice way to moisturise after a bath or shower and gives off a delicate aroma of coconut when you move around (can get absolutely no smell coconut oil too) doesnt cost a mortgage and lasts for ages.

  soda chrystals cheap to buy mixed in with your washing powder cuts down the amount of laundry powder you need to use as it softens the water.good for your machine and pocket.

  my biggest bug bear when working as a carer was getting to a house where the mans face had been ripped to shreds by careless carers shaving them with blunt rusty razors, it didnt matter how posh the gel or soap was if a razor is blunt its going to damage and can lead to nasty infections.i made a point of checking and binning them off. so i'd say the quality of your razor is probably as or more important than the soap or gel.
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  Open mind

  I agree nelly, that a razor needs to be sharp and when it starts to drag the slightest bit, into the trash it goes. (Nice to hear you were a compassionate caregiver.)

  But as for soaps and gels, I can personally attest that if I use a bar of generic hand soap to make shaving foam, it burns my skin in a heartbeat.

  Shaving soap is a whole different critter.

  om
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  Married to the Mob

  I use shave gel when I travel but at home it is shaving soap and a brush of badger hair!

  Sharp razors are a MUST!!
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  shamus100

  Those soap brushes are too messy. I threw mine out - I'm a clean freak.