You’ve probably just read that in every state in America, women are paid less. In fact, for the same amount of work, white women are paid about $.77 on every male dollar.  Women of color are even paid less.  African American women’s wages dropped from 2008’s rate of 67.9% to 67.5% of a guy’s 2009 salary.  Latina’s earnings were pathetic too, at 58% .  For some reason Asian American women allegedly did OK, but still not equal, at 90%–another drop from 91% in 2008.

OK so it’s bad that we get paid less for the same work, than our male co-workers.  But to encourage you to save as much as you can and go out and get a high paying job with whatever education and skills you have—get this.  It costs more in society to be a woman, too.

Here are 10 things that either cost more for single women or are things that we need to buy that men don’t absolutely have to.

1. Health insurance—Due to estimated maternity costs and the fact that we tend to just use more preventative medicine, we tend to get charged more.

2. Life insurance— Did you know that testosterone increases risk-taking behavior ?  But did you know that women still on average, get charged more for life insurance?

3. Dry cleaning— Manhattan passed a law in the 90’s saying that women had to be charged the same laundry rate for “on the hanger” blouses as men’s shirts.  But then they forced them on the men’s shapers and broke buttons in protest.  Do you get charged more?  

4. Birth control/HRT—To say nothing of the possible health costs of the Pill, IUD, hormone shot, or the highest risk–birth.

5. Menstrual stuff—Having an all-girl tent with some moss sounds cheaper and more fun.  Organic, non-chlorine bleached tampons, the Diva cup, pads, washable pads, ruined underwear, towels, sheets, painkillers…

6. Hair cuts—How many times have you bemoaned the high cost of a cut, foil, 2-process or single-process color?  You’re worth it, we know, but that much more—really?

7. Bras/underwear—The less material, the more expensive it is and the larger the size, the more expensive it is—we’re all paying on this one.  And remind me again why isn’t it tax-deductable?

8. Make-up/beauty aids—You pay more for your shampoo, to say nothing of your silk-fiber mascara.

9. Hosiery—Pantyhose, tights, stockings, socks, even exercise get ups—all cost more and run faster than the Road Runner.

10. Hair removal­­—I know, manscaping, but really, with our razors, bleaching, shaving cream, Neat, threading, waxing, Epilady, laser—as North American straight women, we’re expected to keep more areas hair-free with more consistency.

Cha-CHING!  What else?  Have you found pay inequity to be an issue?  What do you buy that’s more expensive? Found any way around it?