Injecting a little luxury into life, without breaking the bank

[Sodthesystem]

I recently treated myself to a fancy coffee and macarons in a designer department store. Cheaper than buying anything there, but still felt luxurious :)

Thought it might be fun to start a thread on how people get their little fixes of luxury without spending a fortune.

*apologies, the was meant to go to chat. Will have it moved :)

my treat is usually a slightly nicer hair routine (nothing super fancy but i’ve always been the 99p alberto balsam type and have upgraded to the l’oréal bond repair set). not a crazy leap up in price/luxury but it makes me feel a bit more like i’m looking after myself 🤣

A bag of lovely loose-leaf tea from my local independent tea & coffee shop. Expensive compared with a box of PG Tips, but pretty cheap in the grand scheme of things.

OK, not cheap, but I watch like a hawk for the annual sample sale at my favourite jewellery designer as I cannot afford her beautiful stuff.... Managed to snaffle a pair of 18ct gold earrings and a silver necklace this year. £120 for both instead of nearly £1k.

And no, I'm not sharing her name because I don't want any more competition 😂. I set a reminder in my calendar, blocked out my availability for work for half an hour and was frantically refreshing for the sale to go live.

@cherryontoppp I gave ‘push’ shampoo and everyday shampoo as well.

Getting a M and S gastro range meal deal from Ocado is one treat - nice food and zero prep needed.

I go to my local theatre for £15 and also to the Globe in their £5 seats ( standing).

If I see clothes I love I tend to go on ebay or vinted and get them there, often hardly worn.

I gave ‘push’ shampoo

@Gundogday what make is push shampoo?

I think typo for posh shampoo??

I'm in London and book occasional day passes for various family clubs for my dcs. They have nice play areas, kids' activities and restaurants and an exclusive feel, but I'm not interested in committing to a year's membership. Some of them have trial memberships and you get the fee refunded if you cancel within 14 days so we've attended for a couple of weekends conpletely free.

Reformer Pilates classes at a nice gym. I could do it cheaper using a mat at home or a cheaper place but I genuinely feel the place is worth the cost. I do try and sneakily take advantage of their offers though, I have redeemed the same one 4 times even though I’m sure it’s one-time.

Other things I have been happy about are F&M biscuits, they are not cheap but taste incredible.

I got a gymshark set on sale in a gorgeous colour. The fit is perfect and flattering, and it’s good quality, but I don’t think I could justify the full price.

Also generally just shopping M&S groceries on Ocado as another poster mentioned. I have been eating like a queen the past few weeks!

I agree that posh shampoo makes a big difference, in fact I only buy decent shampoo but purposely keep a cheap one for when I want to strip my hair of all moisture essentially. I want it to deep clean my hair and not make it look amazing, as a bit of a reset.

I also use Gousto to find nice new food which I find quite fancy. Except I only use it when I have enough referral credit to get a free (or under £10) box... I've had a lot of them over the years.

Posh

Also I don’t really own many expensive/designer items but I did invest in a couple of small leather goods.

I have a nice makeup bag for example. It’s a little bit of luxury, cost nowhere near the price of a luxury handbag, but still feels special whenever I use it.

Actually you're right - my make up bag is a lovely yellow leather Osprey one - I paid about £12 for it in TK Maxx. It's too nice tbh, I should use it as a small handbag but it doesn't fit a modern mobile phone 😂

Once I’m retired in about 20 years time, I really hope I’ll have enough pension to have a Gousto or Hellofresh subscription. I’m single right now, but even if I find a partner I just think small things like this will elevate my life a little whilst hopefully being quite healthy!

Right now though, no way could I afford it but just a little luxury for me to look forward too maybe if I live long enough haha 😁

DH bought me a coffee grinder and Moka pot last year. I treated myself to a coffee subscription from fountain rock coffee: https://fountainrockcoffee.co.uk/
I just do one bag every two months for £10 (and supplement with cheaper stuff if I run out) which is expensive compared to the supermarket, but I feel fancy every time I make a nice coffee. I've been surprised by how much I'm still enjoying it tbh. Really brightens my day.

Italian (or similar) artisan soap; Nice fine porcelain or bone china mug. Both from TK Maxx.

I love really nice bath products, an indulgent soak with a good book is a real luxury, L'Occitane Milky Bath is a favorite.
Flavored green teas from Whittards and as a PP already mentioned Fortnum and Mason biscuits are a delicious treat.

https://www.simplycook.com/ppcbrand/default?utm_source=ppcbrand&utmmedium=default&utmcampaign=default&gclsrc=aw.ds&gadsource=1&gadcampaignid=125867655&gbraid=0AAAAADrCumGDeTf9qAgNqUniVnXrxZAD0&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxdXBBhDEARIsAAUkP6g8QPesgYo6UZgYoBRsuOUOSIv6WJd2L27N9kF6SainFi0FuLHojkaAoWDEALwwcB

Simply Cook is a good alternative. It’s cheaper and they supply you with the herbs and spices and you buy the main ingredients yourself. You’re not tied down to shorter expiry dates either. My son uses these, and makes one meal last two days. We tend to get one box per month.

A bit like others who do gousto, I do simply cook twice a week and it feels like restaurant food at maybe£9 for 2 when I’ve added the ingredients. I also have breakfast out twice a week, even if it’s eggs on toast and a coffee- we’ve ditched most meals out at night so I do this instead - cheaper but feels like a nice thing to do

I like having strong, reliable everyday items such as
stainless steel pans or sharp well-balanced kitchen knives.
Good quality household linen and towels. Quite hard to find but some Sanderson under observation at the moment.
Lampe Berger house fragrance.
Nice pens and paper (Metal Bic anniversary edition and Clairfontaine at the moment)
You can pause your Hello Fresh any time so I wait for them to give me a good deal.

The sanctuary in shower moisturiser. I always buy it when it’s on offer. Simply to apply (rub on when you’re wet and towel off), smells heavenly, scent lasts for ages.

Using stuff-all the “nice” mugs we were given over the years, but never used because kids- the posh soaps stored away to harden up, perfume every day, all the jewellery I didn’t wear because of work. I discovered I like dates(after years of not liking them because they were dried up and awful) I buy a box of big fat ones every few weeks and have one when I want a bit of something sweet.