Everyone wants to treat themselves or others sometimes, but when you are living on a strict budget and it includes very little wiggle room, this can seem impossible as a simple meal out can cost quite a bit these days and something like a movie can seem like an outrageous expense. Here are some budget friendly ways to treat yourself or someone you love.
10 Frugal Ways To Treat Yourself
Savor something small. I think we have all gotten so used to just enjoying things like chocolate, soda or potato chips. They are such common things that most of us have eaten and we don’t really think of them as a treat. Take a couple dollars to a high end food store that has imports or local items. Buy something that you would normally not such as a $5 bar of imported chocolate or some expensive organic chips and savor them.
Watch a sunrise or sunset alone or with someone. Make sure you have a special treat like tea, coffee or a glass of wine to go with it. Just enjoy the moment. Find a quiet area to do it in so you won’t be distracted.
Make something. While this may seem like a silly way to treat yourself, it can be incredibly fulfilling to actually do some of the stuff like crafts you pin on Pinterest that you have been meaning to do.
Make a face mask or buy a cheap one and a cucumber. Pamper yourself with a facial at home. Play relaxing music in the background and enjoy the soothing relaxation time. You could also accompany it with a soothing herbal bath.
Take a nap. If you are like most adults, you could really use a nap and it is free, so treat yourself to one. Make time for it and make sure you have your bed all set up with freshly laundered sheets.
One word: ice cream. (Ok, so that’s two.) Go to a high end ice cream shop and indulge with a friend like teenagers again. Get all the toppings.
Get outside. Find a way to get out and enjoy the day if it is good weather. It is absolutely amazing how just being out in the sun can boost your mood and make you feel pampered. Try having a picnic with a friend in a local nature park for instance.
Get all dressed up even when you have “nowhere to go.” It can be incredibly fun and pampering to spend some leisurely time just putting on makeup, doing your hair and picking out a rockin’ outfit, especially if you have no time limit on how much time you can take to get ready. This is the time to spend a long time on your hair, and wear all the makeup you never have time for in your day-to-day life. At the end of it, snap a selfie.
Go wine tasting. In many areas, this is a free or very cheap activity and it can be enjoyed alone or with a friend. You may get lucky and even get some fine cheeses to sample as well.
Buy yourself a new pillow. This is one thing many of us neglect to do, but the feelings of a new pillow to sleep on is amazing. Hit up outlet stores to get some high end pillows for low prices and sleep on some luxury tonight.
What are some ways you pamper yourself or boost your mood when you are sticking to a budget? I would love to hear about them in the comments!
More Budgeting Tips
Golden Rules for Shopping on a Budget
How to be More Content on a Limited Budget
How to Budget (for People who Hate Budgeting)
8 Reasons Your Budget May Not Be Working
How to Take a Day Trip on a Budget
Would you like to save this article?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Rebecca | LettersFromSunnybrook.com says
Love these ideas! I like to read magazines at the library or bookstore, peruse farmer’s markets and thrift stores, paint my toenails, take a walk with a friend, sing along (and dance) to favorite old tunes, read letters from friends that I have saved over the decades, and bake treats. 🙂