Poppy Bilderbeck
A TikToker has left people divided after saying she can't afford 'self-care', despite having a combined household income of $180,000.
Amid a cost of living crisis, many are having to make cut backs and sacrifices, and an insurance worker and mom-of-one has since opened up about the cutbacks she's having to make to still have a chance to be able to get onto the property ladder in a year's time.
However, the online response has been conflicted.
Raspin - aged 27 - took to her TikTok account on Saturday (11 May) to ask followers how they 'afford self-care'.
The mom questioned how people are still able to get their 'nails, hair, lashes [and] brows done all the time' noting she and her partner have 'a bigger income' but have a 'strict budget' so they can 'save for a house' by July 2025.
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"In order to do that, I only have $150 spending money per fortnight," she continued.
However, the TikToker said nails cost about '$100 every four weeks' and her hair costs her '$200 every eight weeks'. Her lash lift tint, brow lamination, sculpt and dye 'all at once' works out at '$170 a fortnight'. In total, the cost of the 'self care' for a month comes to a whopping $370.
She resolved: "So, that's over budget. So tell me how you're affording [it]?"
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The caption adds: "Self-care is expensive, it’s a luxury at this point!"
And it's not taken long for people to flood to the comments to weigh in with contrasting responses.
One TikToker said: "DIY! I do everything myself, and always have," as another questioned: "Having a job?"
A third commented: "I understand people want to feel good and look good but not worth spending that when the future is unknown. I’d rather have my money for a raining day or invest it. But that’s me."
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And the conversation has spilled over onto Facebook too, and let's just say some of the comments there haven't held back.
One user wrote: "Considering the number of families who can't even afford both rent and groceries, this is a very tone deaf post."
"You can’t have your cake and eat it too. She is saving for a house and is on a tight budget. Increase your budget if you can’t leave without your nails, hair and eyebrows. Just saying! We all have don’t it before," another added.
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A third commented: "If I had 180 000 a year is consider myself very rich."
And a final resolved: "Some peoples’ goals are to buy a house - for others a nice manicure or eyebrow tint is what they want to do. Everyone is different. Each to their own."
The mom did note to News.com.au she recognises that 'due to [their] priority to save for a house' things like eating out and self care are 'a luxury,' however, she would currently 'like to be able to go to the hairdresser regularly and get [her] eyebrows and lashes done regularly'.
So, what do you think?
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UNILAD has contacted Alice Raspin for comment.