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?

Buy some cheap nail varnish, nail files, hand cream etc. Give yourself a manicure every week. I have a good selection of nail varnishes in different colours. It makes me feel so much better to have pretty nails!

I’m much too clumsy to use proper china or white towels. I don’t use nice soaps as sadly, I no longer have a sense of smell.

Buy less. Reject modernity’s idea that you need endless stuff. Endless makeup. It’s a trap. Yes wear your best every day.

I remember learning Chinese many years ago - sadly now mostly forgotten - but the phrase "Cheap is not cheap; dear is not dear!" sticks in my mind. That is exactly the same sentiment as "Buy quality stuff!"

I paint my nails once a week with a good quality varnish. I buy fancy gourmet salt, that has made my food taste so much better, same with fancy balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

I actually didn't think any of this would make any difference, but it has elevated my meal experience, so even though I can't afford the best steak I can season it well and I've upped my salad game as well with mustard seeds, capers etc. buying one jar of something at a time doesn't break the bank but it lasts ages.

I agree about home baking. I make double batches, or more and freeze the extra so I have a whole menu of options in my freezer.

I use ziploc bags (not great being plastic but I haven’t figured an alternative) and freeze everything flat, and “file” them with the contents written on the top of the bag. ( I reuse the bags and wipe off the writing with a drop of hand sanitiser.) when I open the freezer it’s like reading a menu.

My whole freezer is like that, so I have single portions of quick meals that are nicer than a takeaway and sliced lemons and limes for drinks. I have herbs on the windowsill for a quick garnish.

I have bought all sorts of lovely things in charity shops for a song and have some really good quality clothes I couldn’t afford otherwise. The kind that can be repaired, because they have seam allowances, that don’t lose their shape because they have linings, etc and every season I take note of what I need in my wardrobe rather than buying the shiny new thing that catches my eye but doesn’t actually work with anything.

One of my splurges is to buy a good notebook as my planner, and a nice pen. I handle these every day and appreciate how nice they feel.

I have some lovely vintage China and glassware that I have garnered from various charity shops locally. Its really nice to be able to pop some cake or biscuits on a gorgeous china plate, especially when I have visitors. Don't think anything was more than about £2

I think you could do that organising freezer thing as a service to the community.

There's nothing I'd love more than to have my freezer like that. You could sell freezer hampers, all labelled and lovely.

Mine is a bit more potluck - is that mince or a bit of frozen brownie?

High quality tea and coffee is a great one. Yes I might spend £12-18 on tea, but it gives me a luxurious moment every morning for several months, with freshly made tea out of a beautiful tin. Also high quality chocolate - buying it, and eating it one piece every day is such a wholesome experience.

investing in the best gym/ health club you can afford is mine. It saves you money long-term as because it’s so lovely, you’ll likely spend many evenings/ weekends there, it’s all inclusive, and you’ll have better mental and physical health, feeling balanced, thus spending less money on ‘trying to make yourself feel better’ with snacks, takeaways, frequent holidays, self help etc.

My friends and I have a discount club. We all get various discounts through our employers, usually 30-50% off or even free hotels, fashion, premium food etc. We regularly treat each other and our families to nice things at bargain prices.

Family picky lunch at home. Supermarket quality breads and rolls, nice pate’s, large pork pie and good chocolate cake with nice coffee. Cost me about twenty quid for five of us, lunch out would have cost lots more.

sometimes do a scaled down version for myself when home alone and enjoy with the tv remote all to myself.

For me, vintage lace handkerchiefs. I love them, I use one every day, never a manky tissue, and they make me feel all delicate and feminine (I am neither irl but one can but try…!). I get them on eBay. They tend to be sold in assortments and they’re absolutely beautiful.

Love this thread this is my aim too! I pot the supermarket herbs in nice small ceramic pots to decorate the kitchen, male sure I always put everything away with clear surfaces except things that are pretty or functional (wireless chargers everywhere!), making sure that I sepnd some time at weekends doing stuff thats been annoying me during the week like cleaning out hand bag or going round the skirting boards. Doing most beauty treatments at home regularly with proper routines making sure you always feel well turned out. Always blow drying hair and regular wardrobe clear outs. I've got a dog and am lucky to live in pretty city so if I need to buy anything I'll try to make a day of it ie walk round city parks, go to dog friendly galleries, and then get whatever you need from am independent shop so you are supporting local, getting a nicer soap/ tomatoes/ tea and it's a lot cheaper than a meal out. However I try to make a point of having a pint or crumpets and tea out to support local eateries once every couple of weeks. Cooking new meals with lemon herbs and I even freeze the end of glasses of wine at dinner parties so I don't need to open a bottle, I try to make them looks pretty and use matching crockery.

Also trying to make an experiences of stuff (go to the pub on the way if you are collecting a takeaway rather than just deliverooing it) and always trying new things that isn't the easy option!

I used to smoke and the only thing I miss is the time to yourself outside, so now I have a sofa outside that's under cover and I have coffee in the morning or tea/wine in the evening and just sit and enjoy being outside.

Aim to get out the house three times, but happy with twice dog helps with this and go tp your local libraries.

Reading these suggestions has given me inspiration, I now have the grand smell of Lemon & Lavender oil giving me lovely smelling vibes. Glad I found this thread 😁

A decent pen that takes refills in the width you prefer. It doesn’t have to be a Mont Blanc fountain pen, just something to reflect who you are. Writing is a luxury nowadays so an elegant handwriting style too instead of scribbling.

I buy basic bics to use at work, the one ordered in to use set my day off all wrong with the ink coming out the pen as a blobby mess … Yuk

Love this thread! I always think it is little things that elevate every day experiences in to lovely ones. One of my fave things to create this feeling is to walk round local NT place, I have membership, then treat myself to a cup to tea. If the weather is good, I can sit outside, it's a lovely thing to do. I also like to support small independent cafes. I love going for a cup of tea in one or for breakfast. Feels really decadent and such a treat.

I also make my own 'posh beans', like you might find on a cafe breakfast menu. I have spent ages trying to perfect them but have discovered that along with some softened onion and carrot, a tin of cheapo taco beans makes the best posh baked beans. Add chickpeas as well on a couple of slices of toast and its a cafe experience at home.

I also saw a hint on here to put all your nightly essentials such as moisturiser, hand cream, nail file etc in a basket by the bed. Means you're more likely to use them. I am trying with this idea too.

@Phloosie That is the freezer of my dreams

I also used to smoke and I found that the going outside for a cigarette did wonders for my mental health.

I miss it to be honest.

I also love the idea of turning simple errands into an experience to be enjoyed.

I love a decent pen. I stumbled across these a few years ago and don't buy anything else now.

They've a lovely fine tip and the ink flow is beautiful. I sometimes get the lovely coloured ones as well 😁.

amzn.eu/d/07plC2hy

’little’ luxuries can be more obtainable than bigger items eg cashmere socks instead of a sweater, a small make up bag or purse instead of a bag.

Whenver i go on holiday, i will always bring back a few mementos of the trip eg local herbs and spices, soaps, drinks, local specialities. Doesnt have to be expensive, but its a nice treat in the months following the trip.

I love this idea. Do you have a list of the days you celebrate or is there one online?

In honour of this thread I have bought 2 windowsill herbs (£2 each, Asda) and put them into two empty pots I had waiting.
Then I tidied/decluttered the kitchen windowsill and arranged everything nicely.
It now looks very instagrammy with some dired flowers I already had.

It smells vinegary though! (Home made kitchen cleaner, next batch i will do less vinegar more lemon)

I’m sure there are ones online but I just follow things like supermarket magazines or tv Saturday cooking shows, which seem desperate for themes for their shows and I usually get ideas from there. If I’m ever at a loss I look at my Google calendar which has days, or Google what special days are coming up in eg September. Or I’ll look at ready meals and find something I’ve never heard of, one was chicken tinga another beef bulgogi, then I find a recipe and do my take on it (probably not so authentic 😀) and I’ll find out where it comes from, when it’s eaten etc and just begin a conversation from there.

ahh - yes - thanks! :)

Yes. People have suggested where to get expensive clothes for a few pounds, good food, how to access cheap theatre tickets, how to appreciate nature and free time. You may have noticed the smells advice but there's lots of other ideas.

Ah yes. Unidentifiable Frozen Objects.
They make supper literally pot luck.