Rewarding Ourselves

System

To be honest, i dont know what i would treat myself with. I have been very fortunate over the last few years. Within reason, i have bought what i wanted. My makeup box was full of Chanel, Estee Lauder, YSL, Guerlain etc. I had boat loads of the stuff. I had far too much gold jewellery than i really appreciated because i got bored with it. Clothes and shoes i bought by the twos and threes - depending on my mood. Those days have long gone, when it was my birthday a few days ago, i just didnt want anything. I didnt really miss it either. However, the kids know i am partial to my Chanel, so they normally give me gift vouchers to spend in Boots.

I do regret the money i have wasted though, i could have saved thousands if i had done it the 'moneysaving' way.

Queenie

Great thread, Moggins

Psst: Use the water from the fish tank on your houseplants/garden - dirty fish water may not be great for fishes health, but it's a wonderful tonic for your plants

In the past couple of years since I took over the budgeting, my *rewards* have included ... a pergola for my patio (runs the whole width of the house) a pebble fountain near to the patio and last Autumn we bought a table and chair set for the patio in the sales which we sat out on yesterday enjoying the garden and the fountain

I adore scented candles while enjoying a luxurious bubble bath and a good read while I soak. I reward myself periodically with some "posh" body lotions and soaps

Last month, I treated myself to some relaxation music CD's because I'm still using up my posh bath stuffs LOL.

needmoney

Judi my days of expensive perfumes are now reduced to present and my clothes are the best of the cheapest with occasional ‘good buyd’ to boost them. I too have good gold jewelry that I should be thinking about selling, I bought a smashing bag from a charity shop (buying from these used to be a joke of mine which has become reality now)

Moggins that £60 could not buy your children anything better than having you around. I always admire people who put their children before money.

Queenie your treats sound lovely too I would love your pergola.

Congrat and best wishes to you Lillibet so much pleasure to come for you.

And SarahS I hope you get your chickens and enjoy I was brouhgt up with chickens in the garden nice memories.

Really enjoying reading all this.

mink35

Lillibet wrote:

I am also thinking of doing something like ironing from home if I can find a market for it

What a pity you don't live near me! I hate ironing with a passion

foreverskint

I'm going to treat myself to a new mattress for our bed. We bought the current one 5 years ago as a "it will do till we can afford a better one" 5 years on and it's getting very uncomfortable. So as a reward for all the moneysaving that will be the first item on the wish list.

Queenie

Lillibet wrote:

.... I am also thinking of doing something like ironing from home if I can find a market for it, ... .

Put an ad in the local shop or simply pass the word around. My dd did this when she was a young teen and wanted/needed extra money - my friend (a mother of 4) snapped up the chance! Trouble was, it took dd quite a while to wade through it all, so do be aware of that when you price yourself for the task.

Another relation of mine did it to - she knew a couple elderly gents who were widowed and she would do their wash and ironing for them. She didn't charge very much but the bonus (and most unexpected!!!) when one of these gents passed away, he left her a nice little inheritance as a special thankyou, not just for the labour, but for the weekly visits she made to collect and return the washing; seems knowing he would see at least one person on a regular basis was far more important to him than the actual laundry

Mrs_Thrift

foreverskint wrote:

I'm going to treat myself to a new mattress for our bed. We bought the current one 5 years ago as a "it will do till we can afford a better one" 5 years on and it's getting very uncomfortable. So as a reward for all the moneysaving that will be the first item on the wish list.

In the meantime, if you have a spare duvet, you could put it over the mattress and under your sheet for a bit of extra padding.

Galtizz

Lillibet wrote:

. I am also thinking of doing something like ironing from home

You could also have a word with local launderettes, a lot of them do service washes but don't do ironing. That way you'd only have to drive to one place to pick it up and deliver.

foreverskint

Ms_Thrift wrote:

In the meantime, if you have a spare duvet, you could put it over the mattress and under your sheet for a bit of extra padding.

Thanks , have done this and it makes a nice difference!
Would recommend this to anyone else with a lumpy mattress. Thanks for the suggestion Ms-Thrift:j

Sarahsaver

I gave myself a treat today - totally free of charge:)
First I trudged up and down a long road delivering flyers for my new business, in sharp suit and smart pointy heeled shoes.
The treat was taking my shoes off at the end of it all and walking around the house barefoot. How I love that feeling;)
Then I got loads of freebies from boots, footcream, free sanitary protection, free bar of chocolate and a free bottle of water - vouchers for all of them except the water which i paid for with points.