Girls’ Night Out at the Spa

Recently, I went with some friends of mine for a little well-deserved pampering. I have lived my whole life without some luxuries that other women consider routine: manicures, pedicures, facials, etc. On a tight budget, who can afford to have someone else fuss over you? In my town there is a technical school designed mostly for high school kids who want to get some career training. One area of the school is cosmetology. The cosmetology school offers fantastic discounts on most salon services. Though, not only are your stylists students, they teenagers. But, if you are willing to be a … Continue reading →

Mmmm… Coffee!

Coffee is something that I consider a luxury, since it can be rather pricey. It is one luxury that I indulge in, even when prices are up. Sometimes, you just have to splurge! Sure, I try to buy it on sale, and I’ll even buy a cheaper brand that I don’t like as well in order to save money when prices really get up there. I’ll even cut back from a full pot each day to half a pot, but I just won’t do without my java. Another great way to save money when it comes to coffee is to … Continue reading →

Luxury Items

If you are on a tight budget, or you otherwise cannot justify making certain luxury purchases, there are ways to incorporate certain luxuries into your lifestyle without blowing the budget or feeling guilty. One great way to do so is to buy joint gifts. If everyone in your family wants a flat screen TV, why not make it a family Christmas present? Cut back on other smaller, individual gifts to make the larger purchase. A dishwasher might be another luxury item that would make life easier for the entire family. Even the kids will appreciate it when they can go … Continue reading →

Saving Money on Haircare

Haircuts, perms, and dying your hair can add up to being a big expense. I have a few suggestions to cut down on the cost of hair care. 1) One great way to save money is to go to a local beauty school to receive your services. You can receive the services at a heavily discounted rate. Another advantage is that there are instructors available to make sure that the students are doing the procedures correctly. If you are reluctant to go to a beauty school, I finally went because I was tired of the mediocre cuts that I was … Continue reading →

Pampering on a Budget

When my husband’s job required us to move from a small city in Montana to Denver, Colorado, I had visions of our cost of living skyrocketing. After all, Denver is “Wall Street West”, the big city, a major metropolitan area! As it turns out, I’ve discovered that all of my fears were completely unfounded. Food here is less expensive. Several companies compete for your cable, telephone and internet business so those prices are cheaper too. We’ve also managed to find a home that we would have never been able to afford in Great Falls, Montana. As if all that weren’t … Continue reading →