Jan
02

Little Luxuries

So, did you make New Year's resolutions? If so, I bet at least one of them involved saving money, right? Let's be honest...even if you're not a resolutions type of girl, just about everyone could benefit from a tighter budget after the holidays. Ben and I have a lot of things we're trying to save for this year, so we've already tightened our budget belt several notches (I wrote a post about it here). It's been good, and we're feeling really proud of ourselves--but still. Being on a restricted budget can be reaaaallly hard. So sometimes, little inexpensive treats can help you stay on track without totally crushing your soul. Here are some little luxuries that I love--they're all under $10!

Little luxuries--so you can treat yourself AND keep your resolution to save money!

1. Latte bowls - I love these colorful bowls--and they’re only $5 each, which is not bad at all (I buy them individually in the store). We have a few colors, and I eat my cereal in them just about every morning--starts my day off pretty! / 2. Good nail polish. I used to always buy cheap $3 nail polish, and then get annoyed at how runny/clumpy it was. I finally started buying good nail polish (Essie and OPI are the two brands I buy now--both are still under $10). Painting my nails is sooo much more frustration-free! Totally worth it. And a new polish color can really put a spring in my step, even if I can’t afford to buy a whole new outfit. / 3. A movie from Redbox. Can’t beat a $1.50 date night! We recently saw The Internship, which we thought was funny, and Wolverine. The next one I’m really looking forward to is About Time (I love Rachel McAdams). / 4. Mrs. Meyer's Hand Soap - At $3.99, these are totally worth it to me! The labels are so pretty and well designed--and after I wash my hands, I find myself coming up with excuses to sniff my fingers (ha! anyone else?). Seriously--they all smell sooo good. / 5. Air plants. I really like having fresh flowers or plants in the house, but that’s kind of hard in the winter if you have a black thumb like me. I’ve been wanting to get an air plant for awhile (I posted about them here) and my friend Renae reassured me that they are really, reeeeaaaaally easy to keep alive. So I think I’ll take the plunge. After all, they’re not that expensive, especially compared to getting fresh flowers every week--these Harrisii ones are cute and only $6.50. / 6. San Pellegrino - There’s something about that foil top that makes these seem fancy to me…if you can call a canned beverage fancy. Grapefruit is my favorite flavor, but blood orange is a close second.

And of course, theres something to be said for the simple pleasures that are absolutely free--hot towels fresh out of the dryer, climbing into a bed with clean sheets, convincing your husband to give you a back rub……you know.

What little inexpensive (or free) things do you treat yourself with?

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  1. Posted by Michelle @ A Healthy Mrs on Thursday, January 2nd, 2014

    A new book or magazine always cheers me up! Great list :)
    • Posted by Aileen on Thursday, January 2nd, 2014

      Yes! Those are good ones--especially if you get them from the library so they are totally free!
  2. Posted by kelsey on Thursday, January 2nd, 2014

    i cannot wait to see about time! :)
    ladies in navy
  3. Posted by Sarah on Thursday, January 2nd, 2014

    I've never commented before, but couldn't resist here... About Time is one of the best movies I've ever seen. Like, in my life. Seriously, get it as soon as you can. :) It's WONDERFUL!!
    • Posted by Aileen on Thursday, January 2nd, 2014

      Oh yay, so happy to hear that! I've heard nothing but good things so far, and I can already tell from the preview that it will be my kind of movie! Can't wait :)
  4. Posted by Lauren on Thursday, January 2nd, 2014

    This is not going to be a big shocker, but I love going to Value Village (especially if they are having their super saver 50% off!). J Brand, Joe's, Hudson jeans for $5-$7? Converse for Maya for $3? THAT is my little slice of thrifty heaven :)
    • Posted by Aileen on Thursday, January 2nd, 2014

      I need to get back into thrift store shopping for clothes! I used to buy so much stuff at Goodwill, but lately I've only gotten things for the home like plates, chairs, etc. I really do need some new jeans, though!!!
  5. Posted by natalie on Thursday, January 2nd, 2014

    we have a bunch of the latte bowls and air plants, too!
  6. Posted by Traci on Thursday, January 2nd, 2014

    Happy New Year! It's all about little luxuries...a nice cup of tea, warm socks, etc. I try to focus on these small joys, too.
  7. Posted by Cara Howard on Thursday, January 2nd, 2014

    I looove little luxuries. Also, I'm obsessed with your blog. SO ADORABLE. xo
    • Posted by Aileen on Thursday, January 2nd, 2014

      Yay! Thanks, Cara!
  8. Posted by Debbie on Thursday, January 2nd, 2014

    I purchased a great Latte machine at Tuesday morning that steams and brews together in the pot. It cost me $70, which was about what I spent in a month for latte's. It was a lot to spend until I realized It was paid for quickly. Now I have them daily at home for penny's :). That is my inexpensive treat :)!

    For flowers, I purchase plants that are in bloom...the long bloomers. I deadhead them and they almost always rebloom. If not they are tossed. That gives me about 4 to 6 weeks of bloom instead of 1 week for cut flowers.
    • Posted by Aileen on Thursday, January 2nd, 2014

      Sounds like a great and totally worth-it purchase!
  9. Posted by Sarah on Thursday, January 2nd, 2014

    I love these budget friendly treats!! I have tons of essie and OPI... Nate told me I'm not allowed to buy anymore. But I still do. :) I filled my stocking with 5 new ones this christmas!! And I loooove Mrs Meyers! The pine holiday scent is one of my faves right now, it makes my kitchen smell so good!
    And I can't wait for that movie either, I wish we lived closer so we could watch it together. Because I guarantee Nate wont watch it with me!
    • Posted by Aileen on Thursday, January 2nd, 2014

      Hahaha yes I wish we lived closer too! Then I could borrow from your nail polish stash :) Ben owes me because I watched a lot of "his" movies like Wolverine lately. So he's agreed to watch it with me. I haven't tried the pine scent of Mrs Meyer's yet--I'll have to try and find it!
  10. Posted by Renae on Thursday, January 2nd, 2014

    Little things like that make a huge difference for me! I love getting my monthly Sunset in the mail. Also going out for coffee at a cool coffee shop is one of my favorite treats. I also secretly love going to Whole Foods every once in a while to get something fun and unusual - it's still cheaper than a night out but makes dinner seem fancy and fun :)
  11. Posted by Dusty on Thursday, January 2nd, 2014

    I love that Mrs. Meyer soap. I bought it as a gift for my Grandmother and ended up using it as much as I could! These are some great finds indeed. Also, those bowls are adorable. So adorable!!
  12. Posted by Sara on Friday, January 3rd, 2014

    ahhh Essie. Does nail polish get better?
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