What are your cheap extravagances

[DominoLover51]

On the back of the thread about extravagances, I thought I would start one for cherish things that feel like treats. I am on a big money diet at the moment cause I’ve lost some contracts, so I’m really trying to do things to help me feel ok. Disclaimer, I don’t think there is anything wrong with extravagant treats, life is for living.

Anyway, here goes:

Superdrug shower gels, they quite often do limited edition ones. I particularly like Pumpkin Spice and Pear Crumble.

Books for my Kindle from Amazon, quite often only 99p.

Hair dye and lipstick from an Afro-Caribbean shop near me. I’m very happy dying my own hair for £2.99 a month. Lipsticks are also very reasonable and I prefer the colours.

Crochet, wool and a hook don’t cost much. Thrrres loads of tutorials on YouTube.

Duolingo. That’s not really cheap cause it costs me £89.99 a year, but not too bad

Morrisons flavoured teas, Jam Doughnut and Custard Cream are my favourites. Pretty sure they are only about 99p a box.

Aldi nuts. Love the Yeast Extract flavoured mixed nuts and the Salt & Vinegar peanuts. Know they are fattening, but at least they are protein.

Also a vote for daffodils and a nice notebook.
i also regularly get reduced pastries and goodies at the local supermarket. Spotify duo is one thing that I hope I never have to compromise on for my eldest and I- she’s made so many long playlists and I drive a lot so it brings me joy having access to so much music at a whim.

Creme Mains D'Avignon - Lidl Deluxe range, total dupe of L'Occitane hand cream - I cant tell the difference (and ive used L'Occitane for years!)

I nearly bought that yesterday but wasn't sure if it was any good. Must get some next time I'm in there

Barry M nail polishes. They do amazing colours, they’re really cheap and they’re more long wearing than any more expensive brands I’ve tried.

Plants from my local supermarket which are always fresh and cheap. Its literally a 3 minute walk away so usually in a couple of times a week. Spring has started as they have begun stocking them this week🌷, I bought an apple tree for £7.

I love a library too. They make me feel so calm. I work in the city and there is an unexpectedly old school, local library nearby. I like to pop in there to reset myself after a big meeting or stressful period.

I have just treated myself to a planter full of sweet scented hyacinths. Cannot justify the outlay but they are so beautiful.

I just bought myself a Liberty handkerchief for £10 (thanks to anyone who commented on my thread yesterday) which should save on hand packs of tissues.

I also buy soap from La Maison du Savon - soaps are about £3 in offers. I read that sweat doesn't get fully cleaned off/bacteria killed by shower gels and switched which it has made an instant difference to teen armpit danger zones. I like to try out various soap holders - mini jute bags for exfoliating and softer flannel type envelope ones for a foamier wash. They usually come in bulk (5 or so) and under £15.

Flannels! I have quite a large collection in my bathroom at only £1.00 each from a local independent discount shop!

Scarves, another large collection, from the local charity shop for £2.00 each!

BOOKS! Again, a large collection, mostly from the charity shops for around 50p each, with the exception of some brand new ones!

Candles! I can get a pack of 4, quite reasonable sized, from the same discount shop I buy the flannels from, for £4.99!

Leggin's! I live in them. A pack of 2 black from Asda for £10.00!

A monthly subscription for good coffee

Book swaps at our village phone box - a real treat, never know what you’re going to find.

House plants

Aldi beauty dupes

Soap and note books from TK Maxx

“Book swaps at our village phone box”
I need to live in this village!

For me, anything from a charity shop - books mainly, but also clothes, candles or anything that just catches my eye
Im at the age where I have enough ‘stuff’ so don’t see the point in buying anything expensive. I prefer to spend my money on holidays and nights out.

@SilverPink also look for little free libraries. There's loads in my city and at least 3 that are walking distance from my house - little boxes on poles, often nicely decorated, full of books that you can donate to and take from whenever you like.

Twining's Lady Grey teabags.

Spotify.

Laneige lip mask (when it's in stock at Boop Beauty for cheap, I stock up!)

I love a bunch of daffs, a charity shop book, or a library trip too. ❤️

Today we have two surprise bags from Cooplands the bakers to pick up at 4pm via the too good to go app. Total cost £6 and we will have a picnic tea with it and always plenty left over. It's MUCH cheaper than a takeaway and the kids like the novelty of not knowing what will be in the bags. 🙂 I like that there's no cooking, and if we use paper plates, no washing up either.

Love a Cooplands raid!

Tea and homemade cakes at the local church for their fundraising monthly sale.
A pot of daffodils from the nearby upmarket garden centre, only £1.99.
DH is housebound and I have just booked me ten days away in the spring, staying with friends.

The Libby app! I only discovered it last year although I've been a member at my local library for years but now I can listen to countless audiobooks for free. I think Borrowbox is the other popular one. I was in bed last night and set my Libby timer for 30 minutes so was read to as I fell asleep. It's comforting, like being a child again and costs nothing.

I love daffodils! And tulips. Currently got both in vases throughout my house.

I get my lovely italian citrus soap from TK Maxx too.

When I use shower gel, I like the Lidl adoration body cleanser £3 which google tells me is a dupe for Aesops £33 wash.

I have a dribble of cream in my coffee every morning. Feels very indulgent but not expensive at all.

Fresh cafetiere coffee. A £4 bag lasts a week or two. Several cups of delicious coffee a day for 7-10 days, for the price of one bought in a shop.

MN mocks Baylis and Harding but their rose and geranium bath gel is divine.

£1 daff bunches. £3 Lidl roses.
£2 Primark stretch white cotton tees. They fit and wash so well. Same is true of their cotton jersey PJs and their fluffy socks.

I am easy to please.

Most garden centres have an area for plants that have gone past their best. I really like buying them and nursing them back to health.

Aldi Lacura hot cloth cleanser, and the day & night face creams. My skin absolutely loves it - more than any of the, at times ridiculously expensive, alternatives.

The Lidl hand wash in the amber coloured bottles. I think it’s £2.99. Lavender and verbena scents and very L’occitane.

I always rinse the cap on my mouthwash before I use it, but when I first open a new bottle, I don't.