Three Hot Tips for Luxury Living on a Meager Budget.

by Michelle Vandepas | More from this Blogger

06 Jan 2007 10:30 AM

I miss having two salaries. When I worked full time I had lots of extra money to go out, buy things, not count pennies. I didn't know it then, but I was living the high life! Now I have to be conscious of bringing a bit of luxury into my life. Here's three hot tips for today:

• Find the local gas station that still pumps gas for you.

When it rains or snows, allow them to pump your gas, wipe your windshield and bring you the bill for your signature. Almost every town has one still somewhere, and when the weather is bad it is worth every penny. If you add it up per gallon, it really does not cost that much extra and will definitely make you feel you're living the good life.

• Buy one or two very beautiful plates from the thrift store, garage, or estate sale.

Use them every afternoon for a favorite healthy snack. I and everyone else knows you will only choose healthy snacks. Choosing junk food doesn't make you feel rich or luxurious. Eating badly only adds to a low self worth, guilt and more eating badly. I have first hand knowledge of this, so believe me.

Your snack can be wonderful; like fresh raspberries and tangerine slices with walnuts. Or buy one chocolate covered strawberry and enjoy with a slice of apple with cheese. Maybe you prefer whole nuts to crack yourself along with Olives stuffed with blue cheese (available from some Deli supermarkets). How about sliced pears over lemon sherbet? Fresh fruit salad like the photo above?

The idea is to be creative with your snack, take five minutes away and, put it on your wonderful plate, and enjoy.

• Buy one magazine subscription to a magazine you'd never buy off the shelf because it is too expensive.

I've rotated Time, Newsweek, Vanity Fair and O magazine. I love getting them and I often read during my afternoon "take five" break. This year a friend and I shared a Vanity Fair subscription on a buy one get one free deal and it only cost us $13.50 for the whole year! Since I have a toddler, it takes me a month to read the whole thing, but I love having it.

This category will be fun to write as I am always looking for ways to live luxuriously. I'm looking forward to sharing. What about you?

Related reading:

Eating Healthy - Fat burning foods

Budgeting - Do I have to give up my fun?

Learn more about Michelle Vandepas

In a previous life, Michelle was president of a medical manufacturing company, and then in private practice as a holistic business consultant.

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Miriam Caldwell (8030) 08 Jan 2007 06:36 PM

You make a good point, it really is about the experience as much as anything. You can create luxurious experiences in your life, without spending a lot of money. Thanks for the ideas!

Michelle Vandepas (579) 08 Jan 2007 06:58 PM

Thanks Miriam....I'm looking forward to discovering and writing about more ways to live luxuriously!

Julie Gentry (5915) 17 Jan 2007 03:18 AM

Thanks Michelle! I like #3 especially. You can get magazines on the cheap, though! Check the deals blog.

Michelle Vandepas (579) 18 Jan 2007 09:10 AM

Thanks Julie! Here's the link to your blog: http://dealsblog.families.com/blog/magazines-on-the-cheap