Have people lost interest in personal grooming since the pandemic? It seems to me that when I look around in church, in the supermarket and in the restaurants, some people just look…haggard. Certain folk seem to not care about presentation anymore.

Ratty stretched out sweatpants in mass? Really?

Garish grown-out highlights?

Old chipped pedicures?

Granted, not everyone is as vain as I. Think how vain I must be, then multiply it by a zillion. I’ve said it before: if I had a hundred-dollar bill left to my name, and I had a choice between the supermarket or the mall, off to Nordstrom I would go. If I’m going out, I’m going out looking hot.

So say people are sacrificing personal grooming because of the economy. Mm-k. Let’s have fun and play hypothetically: if I couldn’t afford upkeep for myself, what would I sacrifice?

Twice a month pedicures plus tip= $120.00

Give up: Air conditioning/heat on the second level of the house=$120.00

Highlights every 8 weeks= $250.00 a month

Give up: Specialty grocery store trips for four Sundays= 250.00 a month

Cosmetics= $200.00 a month

Give up: Planting extra flowers on the side of the garage: = $200.00

Twice a month light spray tan= $120.00

Give up: Fancy drive-through Platinum car wash 2x a month= $120.00

Eyebrow/lip waxing= $80.00

Give up: 10 fall Yankee candles= $80.00

Gym membership= $50.00 a month

Give up: Pizza delivery= $50.00

Native deodorants= $30.00 a month

Give up: Premium gas= $30.00 amassed over a month

Wardrobe refreshes monthly= $200.00

Give up: Grocery shopping.

I’m serious about the last one. When you skip grocery shopping, it’s amazing what you realize you already have. I’ve made some pretty spectacular meals this summer with ingredients already sitting in my pantry.

When it comes down to it, the rumor is true: there IS food at home.