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I'm a girly girl. I'll spend stupid amounts of money on moisturizer, hair products, handbags, and the like. But there are certain items I just get all in a kerfuffle about, indignant really, and set to muttering about how The Man is taking us all for fools with such audacious pricing. These include:

-ipod and laptop cases: apple, i've just spent £300 on a damn phone, or $1000 on a laptop. do not charge me 30 (quid or bucks) more for a piece of rubber that is worth 12 cents. and throw in some decent headphones.

-belts: i love the look of belts, but i will not pay more than £20 for one, unless it's hermes, which i cannot yet afford. this also, ideally, should be a gift from my wealthy husband or lover, which i do also do not have.

-socks: basic white socks should come on a roll, like kitchen towels, and come at a similar price point. fashiony nick russell socks can cost more.

-books: sorry mom and pop, i'm reading it here and then going to amazon and buying a used copy for 2 bucks.

-pets: yes, i want a labradoodle too, but at least make a token effort to go to the pound, there might be one or two non-pitbulls there. that one-eyed mongrel will love you just as much. promise.

-flashy cycling gear: seriously, can't anyone ride a bike anymore without putting on their best lance armstrong costume? (maybe this is a sf bay area rant more than a london rant)

-sundries at curry houses: please include rice or naan with all saucy mains, then i will buy the other. i don't care if you build it into the price. i just hate having to order both.

-restaurants who charge for that basket of bread: seriously?! don't pervert the munificent glory of complementary carbs by surreptitiously taxing them.

-any meal with slow service: hungry me = ugly times = you're not getting a tip.

-corkage: how's this? don't triple the price of a bottle of wine, and i will buy it there. some markup is fine.

-shoes: a great source of inner conflict given my profound sartorial snobbery, but i've had too many cute shoes i couldn't wear more than once because they were physically crippling. i'll invest in quality basics (black boots every couple years, flipflops -- i'm californian), but flashy heels that go with one or two dresses find me headed straight for the sale rack.

-nail polish: i've spent thirty bucks on blush (and maintain it was worth it), but won't go above five for nail polish. no rationale for this.

-batteries: this ties into my ipod case rant, but if i've already spent a lot on a camera or the like, the manufacturer should replace the battery. dammit.

-basic over the counter medicine: tesco value ibuprofen works for me. sure it comes in a can, and you have to eat the powder (which in turn eats your stomach), but it's only 9p!

-fancy frozen yogurt and cupcakes: they're good. some of them. but even those aren't worth £5. i'd rather just have real ice cream and a slice of cake without a pound of dry frosting on top!

-any water other than tap in restaurants: i know, but i just can't do it. unless it's mexico, but there beer is cheaper than water, which solves that dilemma.

if you've managed to withstand this "fascinating" glimpse into my inner world, please share some of your own illogical frugalities!