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?

The M&S stuff ingredients are "Wheatflour*, Unsalted Butter (Milk) (34%), Sugar, Cornflour, Rice Flour, Salt, Raising Agent: Sodium Bicarbonate". So its not too bad ingredient wise and is "all butter". I guess they can do it as an economy of scale. I would think your homemade shortbread is a lot nicer but as a cheap treat the M&S Shortbread is nice.

It sounds delicious!

Ceremonising every day rituals. Like making my nighttime routine spa-like (dim the light, put on spa music, use nice products, make a cup of herbal tea). Having meals (set the table properly and getting dressed for the meals). Taking myself out on a self-care date once a week, doing whatever I like, by myself.

Buying into independent brands. They usually offer so much better quality, better prices, better branding and a more special experience shopping with them. Plus, you support smaller businesses instead of lining the pockets of Big Corp.

Looking my best. I always feel luxurious when I have fresh hair, fresh makeup, perfume, a nice outfit on, etc.

Something else is taking the time to do your beauty treatments. I wasn't sure if I should mention this as it does involve some cash outlay but I have some at home devices like a nuface, an led mask and the shark glow pro. I use them to give myself an at home facial and I swear if you keep it up as part of a routine your skin starts to look like you are getting regular facials! Over the lifetime of the device it works out a lot more cost effective than seeing a beauty therapist but I suppose you do need to know you'll be consistent with using the device to actually get those benefits. Even just weekly face mask and a bit of gua sha will leave you all glowy!

Also a lot of the women I know go to expensive Pilates classes and I can't afford them but I found a Piyo dvd set in a charity shop for 25p and it's been amazing for toning and a losing some weight. There are loads of piyo workouts on youtube, and I do some kettlebell workouts from youtube as well.

So between vinted, perfume dupes and the above I can look (if you half close your eyes) like a woman with a bougie self care routine for a fraction of the cost 😂

No problem! This will all sound a bit nerdy but it’s become a hobby now.
i had my colours done a few years ago so that was sorted and I’ve got all my measurements, including things like shoulders and torso length. I’ve used ai to work out things like the right length on me so I know when I shop what kind of adjustment I’ll need.
I also have a wardrobe app on my phone so I can build out, packing lists and record purchases.
I did some research into creating my own uniform - I know I mostly wear a top, trousers and a jacket variation. In summer the jackets an overshirt.
next I looked at styles and I uploaded my favourite items to ai to check for common style. Once I had an idea about what I liked to wear I researched brands that are styled in this type, for me it’s COS, Uniqlo, Jaegar, Baukjen. Architecture lead with a human twist.
i use the sudoku method of creating out fits where I have trousers, tops and jackets in a 3x3 grid and all work together.
my key colours are navy, white, black, cobalt and burgundy.
i don’t wear patterns apart from some graphic prints, houndstooth.
i then pick up better brands in natural fibres on Vinted and in charity shops.
i haven’t many more gaps to fill now, it’s taken about a year. I picked up and amazing cotton basket weave shirt last week from a Japanese designer for example which filled the black overshirt with a twist brief.
i also look for European lesser known brands.

I drink my scotch from lead crystal glasses that were sat in a cabinet for the past 20 years gathering dust

I eat and drink from bone china

Good coffee ( its my one pure luxury, only I drink it and the beans cost more then Im prepared to pay for a lunch out ) I treat myself to one a day and enjoy every mouthful

The best linens afforded. I dont care that my bedding doesn't co-ordinate with the decor, they are lasting 20- 30 years or more and a tin of paint is affordable . The highest thread count possible - luxury

National Theatre viewings - excellent value - and getting dressed up to go - makes it even more special. Our cinema is all lounging seating and has a bar

Looking out for restaurants who do an early bird menu

Looking after clothes, keeping them clean, ironed and in good repair , shoes polished and heeled , trainers as clean as possible if they are for wearing for fashion and not running/gym

Always eating from a plate/bowl at the table

Yellow sticker shop wisely. !0p buns and bread isnt worth it, but getting fish and meat at half price or less is.

And best of all - good socks. My favourite christmas gift is a pair of good socks

Wow @GrimDamnFanjo thank you so much, so many tips. I hadn’t thought of AI. Off to go down a clothes rabbit hole ❤️