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Injecting a little luxury into life, without breaking the bank

226 replies

Sodthesystem · 27/05/2025 10:50

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.

OP posts:
LaaLaaLady · 27/05/2025 18:15

cherryontoppp · 27/05/2025 10:53

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 🤣

Is it any good? I'm looking for bond repair formulas x

EveryDayisFriday · 27/05/2025 18:18

I've bought an eye massage mask from tiktok shop for £16. This is my treat every couple of nights at bedtime whilst listening to a funny podcast. 10mins of me time.

Moltenpink · 27/05/2025 18:20

I love getting Too Good To Go bags. Just picked one up from Gail’s bakery for £4.99, it had five cakes in. The lemon, rose pistachio one was beautiful.

howshouldibehave · 27/05/2025 18:21

ThereIsACatOnMyLapAgain · 27/05/2025 18:06

Mine is a lovely body oil. At £40 for a small bottle it's very expensive for me so I used to ask for it as my birthday / christmas present.

But then I thought screw it. If using a bit of oil every day makes me this happy then I can cut back on other things to pay for it. So I did. I still wince when I press "buy" though!

That sounds lovely-can I ask which one you recommend?

AnnaBalfour · 27/05/2025 18:23

@leanerteller

any chance of the name of the clubs offering day passes?

ThereIsACatOnMyLapAgain · 27/05/2025 18:33

howshouldibehave · 27/05/2025 18:21

That sounds lovely-can I ask which one you recommend?

Liha idan oil.
There is nothing in it that justifies the high price point tbh. The fragrance is quite heady and not normally something I'd go for but I really like it.
You only need a little bit though so even using it daily, it lasts a while.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 27/05/2025 19:10

CharlotteRumpling · 27/05/2025 13:23

I need to remember to get some peonies!

I bought a small bunch of flowers from a NT shop over a week ago - there was a peony in bud, but it never came out. 🙁

LaurieFairyCake · 27/05/2025 19:17

I treat the Liberty beauty box as a savings scheme to buy a stupidly expensive perfume, Diptyque candle and something inexpensive from their jewellery department in the sale every year

Femalefootyfan · 27/05/2025 19:30

If I’m home on my own for a couple of days, I’ll take myself to an M&S food hall and buy a 2 pack of ready cooked chicken breasts, a pack of mashed carrot and swede and a pack of pre sliced runner beans. I’ll heat them up and add some chicken gravy and eat one chicken breast, half the swede and runner beans in both nights. Under a tenner for the lot and I really enjoy my dinners 😁

bingoludo · 27/05/2025 19:34

I love treating myself to a nice jam or nut spread. Either the supermarket premium brand, or even sometimes Selfridges/F+M/Harrods. Usually £2.50 - £7 a jar, but it'll last me easily a month or two. As well as being good quality, there's usually more variation in flavours than the cheaper stuff. I like to match to the season, so caramelised apple in Autumn, spiced fruits at Christmas, mango/tropical flavours in the summer...

I tend to get a lot of skincare at Christmas, Birthdays etc. I save the good stuff for a treat. Technically free as I didn't pay for it.

Making myself a nice drink. Adding ice, using a "good" glass, adding a squeeze of lemon etc. Just slightly elevated, but very little cost.

On the more expensive side, I'm currently cultivating an elevated wardrobe using good quality brands. Each individual purchase has been chosen carefully to be timeless and adaptable. While definitely not cheap, I can truly say I love every purchase (think White Company, Reformation, Hobbs). Despite the upfront cost, I'm finding this to be quite cost-neutral in the long run.
I used to panic-buy outfits for events - sadly never really being in love with what I bought, but still parting with upwards of £70 per event. I now have at least one outfit that I feel fantastic in for most occasions, ranging from casual to very formal. It's also worth it mentally to not have to do the panic rush to the shops to sweatily try find a dress or skirt. My clothing spend yearly hasn't changed, I just buy fewer, much higher quality pieces.

madaboutpurple · 27/05/2025 19:42

Now I'm retired I can go to matinee theatre in Manchester usually for £15 a ticket. I buy a bag of sweets at a supermarket instead of the price the theatre charges.

BookWorrum · 27/05/2025 19:42

I write exclusively with fountain pens. Makes my writing look so much nicer.

Allseeingallknowing · 27/05/2025 20:08

Wundy · 27/05/2025 15:26

Chocolate covered pistachios?! I need these (even though I've only just become aware of their existence). Where do I get them from?

Got mine from Amazon- they’re addictive!

PassOnThat · 27/05/2025 20:15

Expensive cheese with good quality oatcakes and quince paste. With a mini bottle of nice red wine (I seldom drink these days so a large bottle would go to waste).

Eaten in peace once the kids are asleep.

IleftmybaginNewportPagnell · 27/05/2025 20:36

Femalefootyfan · 27/05/2025 19:30

If I’m home on my own for a couple of days, I’ll take myself to an M&S food hall and buy a 2 pack of ready cooked chicken breasts, a pack of mashed carrot and swede and a pack of pre sliced runner beans. I’ll heat them up and add some chicken gravy and eat one chicken breast, half the swede and runner beans in both nights. Under a tenner for the lot and I really enjoy my dinners 😁

When my mum cat-sat for an ex’s mum, she took the M&S chicken breasts home and cooked them for tea with my dad - gave the cat tinned food 😲 I pretended to be cross with her 😂

Vitrolinsanity · 27/05/2025 22:08

I buy Molton Brown handsoap. It actually lasts ages because you only need a tiny bit.

Beautifulspringsunshine · 27/05/2025 22:18

ItsMutinyontheBunty · 27/05/2025 12:22

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.

The Ultra Rich one is £6.95 on Amazon just now ☺️

DanAW · 27/05/2025 22:18

Asda pizza for me, simply pleased 🤣

stayathomegardener · 27/05/2025 22:27

I buy a fresh pomegranate, takes ages to eat and delicious too.

stayathomegardener · 27/05/2025 22:32

I also have a few borders just for cut flowers plus a flower trug and cutting scissors.

The luxury of really fresh flowers on the doorstep can’t be overestimated.

Clafoutie · 27/05/2025 22:53

Vanfan · 27/05/2025 15:37

When out for the day in another town we head for the nearest posh hotel and order coffee and cake. The price is normally not much different to a greasy spoon and often cheaper than MaccieDs but the service ,surroundings and more importantly the toilets are well worth any increase.
I love that the doormen open the doors and hail taxis for everyone - even sub £10 customers. You don't get that at spoons 😁😅

Oh yes, the toilets, especially when they have those little individual real hand towels and lovely hand lotion. You feel you’ve got your money’s worth for the price of your coffee! Also, they tend to use proper china cups and sometimes you get a little biscuit on the side 😀

Wundy · 28/05/2025 02:29

Thank you for all the pointers in the direction of chocolate covered pistachios :)

MyKingdomForACat · 28/05/2025 09:45

I’ve just ordered the Signature one from Amazon. Hope it’s nice x

Sodthesystem · 28/05/2025 15:42

stayathomegardener · 27/05/2025 22:27

I buy a fresh pomegranate, takes ages to eat and delicious too.

I can never seem to find them! Only ever seems to be the packets of seeds. Where do you get yours?

OP posts:
Allseeingallknowing · 28/05/2025 16:23

Femalefootyfan · 27/05/2025 19:30

If I’m home on my own for a couple of days, I’ll take myself to an M&S food hall and buy a 2 pack of ready cooked chicken breasts, a pack of mashed carrot and swede and a pack of pre sliced runner beans. I’ll heat them up and add some chicken gravy and eat one chicken breast, half the swede and runner beans in both nights. Under a tenner for the lot and I really enjoy my dinners 😁

Don’t forget a lovely dessert!