I Went For A 'Cheap' Facial, But Ended Up Signing Up For A Pricey Package

I thought I was being a responsible spender when I bought a discounted facial deal. It was my first time visiting an esteemed facial salon, so I was really excited about it.

When I got there, the aesthetician offered a free consultation and analysed my skin’s condition. She told me that my skin’s barrier was compromised and that I was beginning to get hyperpigmentation. This could lead to premature aging and uneven skin tone if I didn’t address these soon.

Her words caught me off guard – I had no idea my skin was in such bad shape. But when I saw the close-up images showing every enlarged pore and flaw, I began to panic. The detailed breakdown made me feel incredibly self-conscious. Suddenly, I was desperate to fix my skin, and fast!

Sensing my concern, the aesthetician began introducing a range of treatment packages that I could sign up for. She explained that I needed multiple sessions to improve my skin. Although I could see that the packages were really expensive and beyond what I could afford, she urged me to sign up on the spot by giving me exclusive discounts. These discounts were only valid if I signed up for them immediately. To reassure me further, she added that I could pay in instalments to make it more manageable.

In that moment, all I could think about was fixing my skin. I completely forgot that this was supposed to be a one-time pampering session. So, despite my usual habit of careful budgeting, I impulsively signed up for the package.

Although the package included multiple sessions, it cost me my entire month’s salary. Even with instalment payments, my budget for the next few months as severely affected. I had to cut back on essentials and ended up living on junk food and instant noodles to stretch what little I had left. I realised that my quest for better skin was costing me my overall health. The irony, am I right?

This experience taught me that vanity can lead anyone to overspend if they’re not careful. So, it’s important to take a step back and evaluate your choices, no matter how tempting the offer may sound. Time-sensitive discounts are often sales tactics designed to create urgency, but giving yourself time to think things through is always worth it.

After all, your vanity should not come at the cost of your health… or your savings.

This article is part of TSS Confessions, a weekly column where we delve into personal finance topics that are unscripted and genuine real accounts from people.