Pass on the Pink Tax
Did You Know?
Several economic studies have confirmed the existence of a “pink tax,” an inflated price attached to goods and services specifically marketed to women. While there are many theories attempting to justify the pricing discrepancy, its existence seems clear. On everything from razors and deodorant to car repair and haircuts, women are expected to pay more for products marketed directly to them.
One study by the University of Florida found that women end up paying about $1,400 more per year for personal hygiene products than men. This invisible tax is taking money out of your pocket. Want to get it back? Here are some ways you can avoid the pink tax.
- Skip scents to save cents: Personal hygiene products marketed towards women are often rebranded with floral designs and added scents. There is usually no functional difference between unscented and scented products--you're usually paying for the perfume. Go scentless for less!
- Don't go with the floral deo: Men’s and women’s deodorants all have the same active ingredients, usually in the same ratios between brands. A stick deodorant is a stick deodorant until it comes time to scent it. Floral-scented deodorants sell for as much as a dollar more than their muskier or scentless counterparts.
- Ignore the packaging: The most flagrant example of the pink tax is in razors. No difference exists between razor cartridge replacements for men and women except the color of the packaging. A four-pack of Venus razors costs $4 more than a four-pack of Fusion razors. They’re the same razor, made by the same company. The only difference is that the more expensive one is pink and the cheaper one is blue.
- Shop in the "blue" aisle: Even children are exposed to the pink tax. Toys like scooters or bikes can vary in pricing depending on the paint job. Consider shopping around the “blue” toy aisles to compare prices before making a purchase for your little ones.
- Beware of service up-charges: Many service industry businesses also get away with charging more to women versus men. For example, hair stylists often charge more for a women's haircut than a men's cut. While some instances may be justified based on the level and detail of service you're asking for, you can often ask your service provider for a price adjustment. In many instances, service providers value your business more than they value an artificial markup.
If you see an instance of biased pricing like this, let others know. By frequenting establishments that don’t practice this kind of pricing practice, you can help end the pink tax for everyone.