The Pink Tax: What Does It Cost Me and How Do I Fight It?

It costs a lot of money to be a woman today. The wage gap is still pervasive, and the United States is also the only industrialized nation to not offer paid maternity leave.

These issues are being discussed and debated more commonly, but there’s a price to being female that many people overlook.

It’s known as the pink tax. It’s small, but this everyday penalty makes it cost just a little bit more to be a woman.

Read on to find out exactly what the pink tax is, what it’s costing you, and how we can work to combat it.

What is the Pink Tax?

Several years ago, Bic launched a line of pens exclusively for women. Almost immediately, the company was thoroughly mocked by commenters on Amazon, on The Ellen Show, and in offices around the world.

It’s easy to dismiss Bic Pens for Her as an ill-conceived marketing attempt or even a publicity stunt. After all, it got everyone talking about pens.

However, the truth is there is a real issue here. Specifically, companies are levying a pink tax and it’s costing women a pretty penny.

The pink tax is the amount of additional money women pay for everyday things. From deodorant and shampoo to baby bassinets and adult diapers…