Find out which days of your cycle you’re splurging, saving and balancing it all out…
Week 1: A rise in splurging
First day of your period to Day 7
This week’s money- managing style: Week 1 starts with the first day of your period. It also signals the rise of testosterone, which makes you impulsive. And it signals a rise in estrogen, which makes you feel like you’ve got money to burn. Combined with the urge to soothe period aches and pains with some “medicinal shopping”, you’re splurging on lots of little impulse items—like lip gloss, dangly earrings, a pink paisley headband, pretty much anything retailers have wisely placed in grabbing distance as you wait on line for the register.
Week 2: High hormone spending
Day 8 to Day 13
This week’s money-managing style: Reaching their peaks this week, rising estrogen and testosterone have you whipping out your credit card for big-ticket items, like adorable gold sequin flats, a Blackberry and a weekend spa trip for you and your BFF. The good news? Your brain skills are peaking, which makes you a whiz at spotting bargains. Of course, spending 20 grand on bargains is still spending 20 grand. It’s best to keep all your receipts in case returns are called for next week.
Week 3: Cash confidence goes down
Day 14 (or ovulation) to Day 22
This week’s money-managing style: Estrogen and testosterone dip during this week, making you doubt that you’ve got enough money to cover your usual bills, let alone a shopping spree. When you do buy, nesting progesterone, which is on the rise, has you picking pillows, candles, picture frames and other items that spruce up your home. Marketing research shows that progesterone also makes you more likely to get anything that uses a cute baby or cuddly-wuddly animal to sell it.
Week 4: PMS pampering
Day 23 to end of cycle
This week’s money-managing style: With aches and pains from PMS this week, it’s no wonder your wallet virtually pops open by itself whenever you pass by Sephora, the gourmet bakery or a day spa. Go ahead and indulge—pampering yourself increases feel-good endorphins, which can squash a cranky PMS mood. But watch your budget—descending hormones threaten to make you feel guilty about too much overspending.
[photo: Stella Levi]
