What are your little indulgences when you're finances are very up in the air?

[Pumpkin_Pie]

I lost my main job last week, and am not quite sure what my future holds right now. I have been trying to be extremely frugal since then, but I still feel the need to splurge a tiny bit here and there.

For instance: I bought a magazine yesterday that I used to enjoy a great deal in the past, and then when I got home, I had an offer from Amazon for a year's subscription to that very same magazine for $5 for the entire 12 issue year. I bought it, and figured now I have something fun to look forward to in my mailbox once a month.

Today, I took DS and I out for ice cream at McDonald's. The cones there are $.99, so I didn't feel like I had spent too much and we both got to have a treat. I don't plan to splurge every day, but I am trying to find ways to work treats in.

Anyone else treating themselves on a limited budget?

[RoadWorkAhead]

Depends on how limited we are. If we have income for all the bills I might choose to move a bit from the grocery budget for a splurge or 2, but if we're not able to make bills or working on an already tight grocery/gas budget, no I don't.

[Lilcrunchie]

Our local recycling drop off area is behind a few big box stores. Someone hung a small shelf with a little roof over it where people can put fairly recent magazines, etc. up that others might want to borrow. I regularly get Southern Living, BH&G, I've found huge stacks of old Family Fun mags there, etc.

I usually return them to that area for others to enjoy when we are done.

I love magazines as a little treat, and I love being able to get them for free while out and about, kwim? That and some good tea/coffee at home is always enjoyable for me, and very budget friendly.

[Knittin' in the Shade]

magazines are a big one for me, also. Other little splurges are good quality chocolate (one bar lasts me a week, eating one square at a time), a good (but cheap, thanks to FIL who works in a wine shop) bottle of wine, and tanqueray (it feels like such a grown up luxury to have a gin and tonic while sitting on the patio after dinner, watching the kids play in the sprinkler!!)

[cheer mom]

I'm in school, so my little splurges are new pencils, highlights and pens.

[i0lanthe]

Cookies/pies from scratch. I think my waistline was doing better when we were making more money (when I would spend money on nice yarn and knit instead of snacking.) hmmm.

Lilcrunchie what a brilliant idea (plus, extra green for people to reuse stuff before recycling it.)

[LVale]

Well, we just moved into a rental townhome community. We completely redecorated , new furniture and everything. I wanted to make a silk floral arrangement for the centerpiece of our coffee table. We have had it for years, it is a round oak table with glass table top. It is totally unique and gorgeous, with matching end tables. I thought the floral arrangement which I could do for under 39 bucks, was frugal. My hubby thought otherwise. He said he would get bored with it. So he said he wanted fresh flowers, so every week, he brings home fresh flowers, and they look wonderful. I arrange them throughout the house and it is so wonderful. He presents them to me with a manly flourish and a kiss. So this is our guilty indulgence. Man not bad. We have been married for 32 years. Now our friends come over every week, just to see the flowers, and what is new for the week. Some of the husbands are not happy with what my husband is doing, because the wives are jealous. Oh my! I just love the flowers! This has got to be the best habit ever for a husband to have!!!!

[Magpie1972]

[QUOTE=i0lanthe;14074594]Cookies/pies from scratch. I think my waistline was doing better when we were making more money (when I would spend money on nice yarn and knit instead of snacking.)[QUOTE]

Yep. I made a HUGE batch of cinnamon raisin biscuits, and froze them, only to heat one up before the day starts with my coffee. That quiet time is my "treat".

I also grocery shop instead of regular shopping. Make special recipes or things that are labor intensive(ish) like fresh french bread or croissants.

[Lilcrunchie]

Originally Posted by i0lanthe

Lilcrunchie what a brilliant idea (plus, extra green for people to reuse stuff before recycling it.)

It is a brilliant idea and I'm thankful to the person that came up with the idea to put the little magazine shelter up :. I wish more places would have some sort of spot like that available...I cherish that I can often swing by and pick up a magazine, read it and then drop it back off for someone else to enjoy. No guilt, and a nice quick fix I can enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea. It makes it much easier for me to avoid the $5 home deco magazines when I'm out and about. I basically never buy them anymore.

[lil_earthmomma]

I can get these huge bags of epsom salts that are scented with eo's for really cheap, but a bath in them is so relaxing, soothing and pampering feeling. My skin feels great, my muscles feel awesome, and even my hair feels really soft.

[lil_earthmomma]

Originally Posted by LVale

Well, we just moved into a rental townhome community. We completely redecorated , new furniture and everything. I wanted to make a silk floral arrangement for the centerpiece of our coffee table. We have had it for years, it is a round oak table with glass table top. It is totally unique and gorgeous, with matching end tables. I thought the floral arrangement which I could do for under 39 bucks, was frugal. My hubby thought otherwise. He said he would get bored with it. So he said he wanted fresh flowers, so every week, he brings home fresh flowers, and they look wonderful. I arrange them throughout the house and it is so wonderful. He presents them to me with a manly flourish and a kiss. So this is our guilty indulgence. Man not bad. We have been married for 32 years. Now our friends come over every week, just to see the flowers, and what is new for the week. Some of the husbands are not happy with what my husband is doing, because the wives are jealous. Oh my! I just love the flowers! This has got to be the best habit ever for a husband to have!!!!

This is so romantic!

[EviesMom]

When we've felt tight on cash flow, I've also tried to make things I was going to buy anyway feel more special or different--buy (or take out of storage) an unusual scented soap.

[HydeParkB]

Originally Posted by Knittin' in the Shade

Other little splurges are good quality chocolate (one bar lasts me a week, eating one square at a time)

Originally Posted by Pumpkin_Pie

Today, I took DS and I out for ice cream at McDonald's. The cones there are $.99.

A really good chocolate bar, good beer (about $1 bottle at Costco), McD's sundae (although I try to resist this, it's hard when I'm pregnant!), Vodka & tonic with fresh lime for drinking on the patio or front porch, a bag of candy corn from the farmer's market.

I also like to cook treats - buttery popcorn, brownies (adding a handful of nuts/chips/caramel sauce or whatever is on hand).

When we are feeling really tight, I try to figure out treats or fun experiences from stuff we have on hand, whether that is food or craft supplies.

[AuntNi]

Originally Posted by i0lanthe

Cookies/pies from scratch. I think my waistline was doing better when we were making more money (when I would spend money on nice yarn and knit instead of snacking.) hmmm.

Oh, I so hear you! When we first started really focusing on paying down debt, I gained SOOOO much weight from cooking big meals and lots of treats. I was feeling deprived from not going out to eat all the time, so I was trying to re-create those restaurant meals at home.

Last year, I got that under control and started Weight Watchers and got a Y membership. On the day my employer went broke and we all lost our jobs, I hit my 50 pounds lost milestone. Talk about a combo of : and .

I was going to drop my WW and Y, but my DH encouraged me to keep WW for $17/month and my trainer got me a 70% off scholarship at the Y. Since I lost my job, I've lost another 40 pounds. : So I would say that weight-loss things, like supportive sneakers, a few workout clothes, and a VERY supportive bra, have been my splurges. But exercise has truly been the only thing that's enabled me to cope with the stress and fear, so I can't feel too guilty about the money.

[AuntNi]

Originally Posted by Pumpkin_Pie

I lost my main job last week, and am not quite sure what my future holds right now.

I forgot to say to you! It's awful how many MDC mamas have been affected by job loss, that it almost is commonplace now. But it's certainly not commonplace to you, and I wish you the best of luck finding a new job ASAP!

[MamaDona]

Originally Posted by lil_earthmomma

I can get these huge bags of epsom salts that are scented with eo's for really cheap, but a bath in them is so relaxing, soothing and pampering feeling. My skin feels great, my muscles feel awesome, and even my hair feels really soft.

I was just going to suggest this! It is amazing how much cheaper it is to make your own scented salts this way, and I always feel so good after a long epsom bath!

[BetsyS]

I browse the new books at Barnes and Noble or amazon, then request them from the library. That way, I'm reading all the latest stuff, and it's a good treat.

Good coffee. Especially in the afternoon. Sometimes I even whip cream for it.

Magazines. I sign up for lots of free subscriptions, and sometimes I request them for gifts.

Baths. I love a nice warm bath.

Two buck chuck.

Thrifting/yard sales. I have a "cash" budget every month. The amount varies from $20/month to $80/month (a really good month!). I use my cash to thrift. Great fun.

Picnics. I think all food is better eaten outside. It's a fun family thing for us to do, and because we did something similar frequently when dating (road trips to find new hole-in-the-wall restaurants), it has lots of warm fuzzy memories.

And, I scour cheap fast food. I'm not above dressing like a cow for free Chick fil A, or going to Arby's for free Wednesday fries or whatever. Just a little treat here or there.

[HeatherAtHome]

Chocolate, ice cream and wine. I also visit the library more often and spend more time reading. (possibly to escape )

[Pumpkin_Pie]

Thanks for all the great ideas mamas! I forgot in my first post that I scour thrift stores and yard sales to find treats and presents for myself and DS. I try to give myself a very low budget of only a dollar or two, and see what I can find.

I did get some ice cream a few days ago and I bought the ultra cheap-o off brand and it actually wasn't too bad. It also had way less calories than the regular kind! :

I am also trying to sign up for any class/meeting/dinner that I can find that is free. Tonight I went to a cooking class that is offered for 6 weeks in my community to low income mothers. It is so great, we cooked and ate our dinner and then they sent us home with ingredients to make it all over again! It is completely free, and such a great way to meet other mamas and get some free groceries.