Everyone deserves an occasional splurge, but the added expense can wreak havoc on a budget and lead to feelings of guilt. Say goodbye to the guilt, and hello to these budget-friendly indulgences.
Eating out
We all have days when we don't feel like cooking or simply crave a break from kitchen clean-up. However, deserved or not, it's not always easy to justify the expense of a meal out. To lessen your guilt, find ways to reduce the impact these meals will have on your budget. Keep an envelope with coupons to local restaurants at the ready or dine at establishments that offer punch cards. You'll feel better about the expense if your occasional indulgence leads to a free meal every six visits. If you're truly budget strapped, fill out online surveys and then redeem your earnings for restaurant gift cards.
Beauty treatments
It can be fun to indulge in a fancy haircut or a bottle of designer shampoo, but often these indulgences come with a hefty price tag. To enjoy a bit of primping minus the guilt, just employ a bit of out-of-the-box thinking. For example, a full-size bottle of designer shampoo may be a budget wrecker, but a trial-size bottle probably isn't. Hit the trial-size section of a discount store, and you'll be amazed at the low-dollar indulgences you turn up-single-application face masks, scented foot scrubs, even pint-sized bottles of nail polish.
If it's professional body treatments you crave, skip the high-priced salons. Beauty training centers can be found all over the country and offer professional-level treatments without the high cost. Many even offer free cuts and colors once a month. Check the yellow pages to see if such a center exists in your area.
Shopping
Retail therapy tops the list of indulgences for many people, but it only takes a few swipes of the old credit card to do some guilt-worthy damage to your monthly budget. If you enjoy shopping, there's no reason to deny yourself the pleasure. Instead, change where and how you shop. Instead of heading to the mall, head to a thrift store where the prices will be cheaper and your money will go farther, or, if you really prefer to buy new merchandise, head to the mall, but stick to the clearance racks or only buy items that you truly need.
Opt for a budget-friendly indulgence, and you'll enjoy all of the pleasure without any of the guilt.
 | With a series of simple, painless steps, you can take control of your spending in 30 days and find ways to reduce your personal cost of living. |
 | Over spending can wreck your budget and add stress to your life. Identify the cause of your out of control spending, and get back on track. |
Here's a list of personal budget stretchers. While you may already be doing a lot of these things, I guarantee you'll find at least a few new ideas to add to your growing arsenal. |
I have read several articles that tell you how you can save money after you buy a certain product. I myself have even written articles about products that save you money. But, what if you could save money without spending any money? |
The following ten penny pinching ideas will help you save $50 a month but don't stop there! Tell us what you're doing to save even more. |
