Tips for a luxurious feeling lifestyle on a modest budget

[pengwig]

After reading a few threads on the cost of living I wondered if we could share tips for living a like that feels luxury on a bit of a budget?

My tips are home baking, even simple easy to make cakes are much nicer than even expensive store bought and served with a nice pot of tea or a coffee at home is more affordable and enjoyable than paying for a dried out, bought in cake sold in most cafes for 4 times the price.

Also instead of expensive candles I either use a little portable essential oil diffuser with essential oils or wax melts. I burn them in the hall and they seem to fragrance he whole house really nicely without being too strong.

Any other tips?

I also read years ago that, and I’m trying to get this exactly right, that it’s easier to economise by cutting out one really large bit of expenditure than to chip away at lots of small economies that will make you feel pinched every day but not save much in the long run, This definitely works for me.

Natural fabrics (vinted - lots of eg Joseph cashmere around) for yourself and your bedding. Good coffee. Pot plants (I love spider plants - and they make babies which you can repot, so even better value over time!). Yes to perfume every day, even when am just at home.

Time is the ultimate luxury, I am very focused in how I spend my time (at work and socially) meaning I have time to spend in a high-quality way. I have a good circle of close friends, meet up regularly, always put phone away with them or husband. Invest in remembering their birthdays, big career or life events and sending (cheap) cards or texts, taking the time to visit them or host them at ours.

And I love getting up an hour before the alarm - am doing this now! - to grab a coffee and relax staring out at the trees with a small cat on my lap (and scrolling lovely threads like this on mumsnet).

Using my library A LOT so there is always a lovely pile of new (to me) books to enjoy.

Question for those using essential oils. I would love to do this but all the info online seems to say that all such oils are toxic to cats (through inhalation as well as contact).

Are there any that wouldn't be?

I like a good candle too but essential oils smell so wonderful.

A tiny thing like having clear ribbed pump bottles in the bathrooms for hand-wash and the other for lotion, which I got from Dunelm for £5 each. Makes the bsthrooms look more luxe. I fill them with Molton Brown handwash and hand cream that I get gifted.

Looks so much better than the random themselves. Can use cheaper alternatives too and noone will know.

Also just having handcream in these there places is a luxury as most people don't and its nice to moisturise your hands after washing them.

This is a nice thread.

I agree keeping the house clean and tidy lifts my mood and makes it feel cosy especially when I manage to even to keep the houseplants alive.

I also love home baking, and especially like it when I do it with fruit for the garden/nearby fields so I can pretend I live in an old stone cottage in the countryside - I live on the edge of the suburbs in a normal semi.

Going to places with a nice view (like the sea or the downs) with the DC always feels like a proper day out - just have to pay for parking and maybe icecream/donuts to eat walking along. I bring a picnic for hikes - everyone is guaranteed to be hungry then and not moan about sandwiches.

This. It's not expensive candles and designer handbags.

Having fresh flowers in the house , I usually get yellow sticker flowers or a few different bunches of cheaper seasonal flowers from a supermarket - never spending more than £8 and then split it amongst 3 vases in their own displays. It just makes my house feel more special for me . Currently I have Lillies and Gladiolus in 2 vases and some plain white roses in another , they look lovely

Exactly what I do nearly every weekend. Walk in nature.

I used to work with a single mum of four teenagers who was not flush with cash. She used to make almost everything an occasion. And everything just a little more decadent than it needed to be. I was in awe of her. I remember one day she said she’d spent her day off while the kids were all out in a freshly made bed watching a comfort show with a glass of bubbles and a bowl of strawberries and I just couldn’t believe it. She also had loads of traditions with her kids. And they’d often take a picnic to their spot at the river all together come rain or shine and if it was raining then they’d just huddle under trees and style it out. She’s just so intentional with every bit of her life. I’m still friends with her on FB (I’d like to hang out with her more tbh). We worked together over 10y ago and I still think to myself sometimes: “what would “G” do?”

For me, it’s quality over quantity. I’ll buy cotton clothes at a slightly higher price, rather than polyester clothes at a more affordable price. I find that they last longer.

When we first bought our house, I bought the majority of our furniture on FB Marketplace. I purchased antique solid wood items, so I know they’ll last the rest of mine and DP’s life.

I agree with the luxury of time. So anything that seems to slow time down when I can is one that makes life feel luxurious.

So for me, breathwork. some kind of conscious slow deep breathing.

Giving myself a facial with a nice smelling oil. I love Aldi rose oil. Touch is so important.

Doing my own foot massage in bed.

Also agree with pp about not saving things for best. Just wear it, use it, spray it, enjoy it. Even perfumes go off if left too long.

This is a decent rough guide to essential oils and toxicity re cats and dogs.

https://www.petdrugsonline.co.uk/pet-advice/essential-oils-toxic-to-pets

I have cats and use oils all the time but mostly in rooms they don't go in and never more than a few drops undiluted. I have cold vapour diffusers which use cold water and a few drops of oil and are contained so no access to the liquid; or make my own wax melts.

Interesting thread. I think so much depends on what you personally value and enjoy. I like a nice perfume. Whilst say 150 pounds seems a huge amount if it lasts me 6 months the daily cost is under a pound. I also like meals out and nice food generally.

I also want to add aboit the luxury of time. I do not have any clocks in my house intentionally. The only time can be found on the unit that controls the heating and hot water.

I love it because I feel like I am not a slave to time, always needing to know what time it is. My weekends are I need to do x y z, as long as it gets done it doesn't matter when it is done. Unless I have an event scheduled or need to get somewhere by a certain time will I occasionally check my phone to make sure I leave on time but that is it.

I went for a wander last week in a disused quarry near my home and picked elderberries. They’re in the freezer ready to make a spiced elderberry syrup for making overnight oats in the winter.

Feels very luxe and artisan for something free from a very sketchy area of town!

I like this.
I've only just allowed myself to throw out all those packets of useless crayons from party bags and restaurants - we've had some for 17 years!

And don't get me started on "free" erasers!

Am loving this thread.

Most of mine have already been mentioned:
😊Liquid Marseilles handsoap from TK Maxx and similar bar soap for the shower.
😊 I do a lot of travelling to see family and packing is always stressful so I bought minis of my fave korean brand beauty products. Everything I need is in a little see-through bag so I just need to shove it in my suitcase.
😊Eye mask and earplugs when away.
😊Loose leaf tea, including herbal teas (i use a mug infuser for one cup).
😊Silk pillow cases and cotton sheets (I also have a Panda pillow and silk duvet, both bought on sale)
😊Nice, local honey.
😊Fancy salad dressing (I recently bought some yummy pesto salad dressing which was about £5 but really elevates a salad).
😊 I make my own smashed avocado on sourdough with poached or scrambled eggs.

Loving the idea of bubbles, strawberries and TV in bed!

reductions

After years of working from home I needed to update my work wardrobe. I built a small capsule wardrobe of trousers, tops and jumpers that all mix and match, in colours that work together. I didn’t spend more than I usually would, but bought with the intention of building on my existing clothes rather than individual outfits.

I can now lift an outfit knowing everything just works together and I’m not scrabbling to find the top that goes with those trousers. Makes me feel put together on the most disorganised of mornings, which feels luxurious.

Having a lie in which I’m doing right now! So nice not to have to rush around. Tea from a teapot instead of straight into the cup with a bag. Eggs royale for brunch using ready made hollandaise. Using all the nice stuff you already have. Asking for things you want for Xmas/ birthdays. Making sure you have time for you. I think having a clean house is very luxurious feeling and is cheap but it’s expensive time wise so that one is a trade off.

I get mine from Holland and Barratt. They’re great quality and usually on offer.

very luxurious feeling and is cheap but it’s expensive time-wise so that one is a trade off.
Modern / middle-class life seems to consist of rushing around in a frenzy to earn money so you can pay other people (cleaners, bakers, etc) to live our lives for us.
Time is definitely a luxury.

If anyone lives near Reading or Bristol and likes to go to a spa or have a spa day

I like to use the lido at either of these locations.

Mostly when I used spa days, I'd have the odd treatment if on offer but mostly chill out in the pool, jacuzzi, steam room and sauna. Then have lunch, which at best was mediocre

I find upwards of £120 expensive for such a treat.

I now just got to he lido book a slot for either 12 or 2pm lunch, sit an have a coffee on arrival, then proceed to use the pool, Jacuzzi,steam room sauna and cold water bucket. Have a very good quality lunch afterwards at either 12pm or 2pm and then if you want a massage thrown in its £85.

The cost is £45 for the 90 minute 1 and a half hour slot in the pool and a 2 course lunch without drinks. Its delightful

Using a cup and saucer for a cup of tea, with a tray

Great thread.

Kerb appeal. Even a pot of flowers near the door.
simmer pots rather than synthetic scents.