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.