Money-Saving Tips For: Feeling Fabulous

Being responsible and taking care of the needs in life usually doesn’t leave any room for any wants. You trick yourself into thinking that because all of the bills are paid and the bank account isn’t in the negative digits then everything is okay. Well, if that’s true then why do you sometimes feel cheated? It’s because you’ve been denying yourself any fun, that’s why!

Many moms either don’t know or refuse to openly admit that it is necessary to take care of herself first. Think about this, because it kind of follows the same rules as using the oxygen masks in an airplane emergency. If you are traveling with a child, you’re supposed to put on your mask first, then theirs. Do you know why they tell you to do this? It’s because if you take care of the child first, and then you pass out, the child is unable to put your mask on and save you. Ergo, you must take care of yourself first in order to properly care for everyone else (this goes for mental and physical wellness, too. When was your last physical?)

Take care of mommy. Shuffle some things in your budget to make room for some rewards. Bring lunch from home instead of buying; buy 7-Eleven coffee instead of Starbucks this week—better yet, brew at home. These things don’t have to be big adjustments, and they’re short-term, all in the name of your reward. There’s nothing wrong with giving yourself a bonus for sticking to your life goals:

Pampering:

• Massages are divine little indulgences, but you don’t have to spend a lot of money on them. A 20-minute chair massage at the mall, Central Market, or some nail shops go for only $20 and can relieve some of the stress that builds up in your muscles. If you get hooked and want to go the extra mile, seek out a massage school. Therapists must log a certain amount of practice hours before they become licensed professionals, so 60- and 90-minute massages cost a fraction of what they would at a spa.
• Luxury bath products seem like a waste when their cost can easily be applied to a tank of gas or groceries. But consider the power of your sense of smell. Hasn’t a familiar aroma transported you back to pleasant memories for moments at a time? Investing in a rich body butter to use on special days is an economical way to indulge yourself. My favorite is Jaqua’s Buttercream Frosting and it smells good enough to eat. I smooth it on before I get all dolled up for some fun with friends or a date. Also, if I’m having a crappy day, rubbing a bit on my hands is very soothing and helps take my mind away from stress.
• Product samples: I can’t tell you how many events I’ve gone to and come home with miniature packets of hair and body products. Not only are these things good for travel, the luxury-brand items are usually bigger… and all for free. No samples on hand? Ask for them in the department store. Trust, they have plenty.

Dining:

• Eat before you go out, but meet your friends for a cocktail and dessert. Your tummy will be just full enough to enjoy the sexiest parts of the menu anyway.
• Happy hour—it’s not just for drinks anymore! Many restaurants’ happy hour menus not only include drink specials but price-cuts on appetizers and bar food. Who ever could be disappointed with $5 sushi rolls and $3 sake? Better yet, flip the script and look for spots that offer reverse (or late-night) happy hour if you can’t make it right after work.

Shopping:

• For most of us ladies, shoes are an instant mood-booster, so do what you can to stretch your dollar. The clearance racks at DSW have bestowed upon me a pair of Guess jacquard flats for $15 and a pair of Nicole Miller cork-heeled wedges for $40. If you’re looking for work shoes, find your local Stein Mart and use the coupons in the paper; and every so often you can luck up on casual shoes and sandals at Marshall’s and TJ Maxx. The same locales apply for handbags. If you’re looking for a certain style of shoe enjoy this story:

I became very emotionally attached to a pair of red patent Manolo Blahnik Mary Janes, but because I’d be out of my mind to spend the equivalent of rent on a pair of shoes, I started searching for a look-alike. Zappos.com sold a pair black patent Via Spiga Mary Janes that was a dead ringer. However, they were still $100 and they weren’t red. Using Google Shopping, I typed in the name and style of the shoe and it spit out results in colors I didn’t even know were produced. A site called 6pm.com produced a pair of red Via Spiga “Neda” Mary Janes, in my size, and on sale for $69.

• New makeup: Even if it’s just nail polish or gloss, a little sparkle or splash of color does wonders for the self esteem. And if you’re a M.A.C. girl, count up your empty containers, because if you’ve got six then it’s time to bring them back to the store, and under their recycling plan, claim your free lipstick. If you’re into shadows, check out L'Oreal's HIP (high intensity pigment) collection for rich, attention-grabbing hues at drug store prices. CVS and Walgreens are always running specials of the buy-one-get-one-free variety on makeup. And do you know what’s the best thing about buying makeup from the drug store? If you get it home and it looks a hot mess, they will almost always let you bring it back.

Stop making yourself feel poor

Okay, so maybe the lion’s share of your paycheck is spent before it even hits your bank account. Assure yourself that this is only a temporary situation and you’re already making progress by choosing take control of your life. But don’t be fooled, having a positive attitude and a commitment to improvement can be completely derailed by lurking reminders of what is missing from your life.

If you’re anything like the other living, breathing, broke and glamorous then those missing things are probably an ignorant amount of designer clothes, shoes, accessories, a fresh condo or home fully furnished by Room & Board and the new BMW X6 (you know… to keep the kids safe). Look, I’m writing this guide and I STILL want most of those things. However, I’ve realized that the best way to address these urgent wants is to exercise prudent avoidance and be a smart shopper:

• Audit your email: It happens slowly, but after a while you realize that you’re subscribed to a ridiculous number of mailing lists, all of them telling you about the hottest new thing that you can’t have. Opt out. Seriously. Remove the temptation to “learn more” and “buy now.” On the other hand, some e-newsletters are very necessary when it comes time for shopping. For that I recommend setting up an email address to use exclusively for mailing lists. They’ll still be available when you need them, brandishing their sales and discount codes. Only now, they won’t pop up in your inbox 10 times a day.
• Don’t get mauled: The mall is a dangerous place for people trying to be financially responsible. All of those big, shiny “new arrivals” and “sale” signs. The power of suggestion is even stronger when you can’t hit delete. Window shopping can take a devastating turn once you try something on and see how good you look in it. Case in point: stay away from the stores unless you’ve got something to buy. When it is time to do some carefully-budgeted shopping, check the Sunday paper for coupons (Macy’s always has some) and sale announcements. For deep discounts, Smartbargains.com and Overstock.com are my favorites, hands down. I once got a pair of croc-embossed Charles David pumps for $47.
• Know your limits: Shop with cash to avoid blowing the budget. It’s that simple.
• Get stingy: Your hard-earned dollars are valuable; don’t waste them buying something that you aren’t 100% satisfied with. If the fit is just a bit off (and it can’t be tailored), if it’s not really your style, if it’s not practical, if you only feel “ho-hum” about it—don’t buy it. You may not have buyer’s remorse immediately, but you will once you notice that you’ve worn it twice in 12 months. Worse yet, if it’s still hanging up with tags attached after several months.
• Stretch your dollar: Don’t be seduced by the word SALE. Do a little shopping around (online saves gas!) so you have a frame of reference of what things should cost. I mean, should you really get excited that Old Navy is selling solid, ribbed tanks for $10 each? In my opinion, they should be two for $10, and they usually are at stores like H&M, Forever 21 and G+G/Rave. When shopping for yourself, allocate more money for classic, key pieces that will endure the changing fashion trends. Fad items and small accessories should account for a minimal amount of your spending. When it comes to kids’ clothes there are only three things to remember: clean, neat, and growing room. Seriously, no two year old craves Nikes (and if he or she does, that is a whole other discussion). Bearing that in mind, Target and Wal*Mart are your best friends when outfitting the kiddies. With $5 tops and tees, shorts and jeans for under $10, you will be able to do unbelievable things with $60.