Feeling Rich
When Your Savings Account Says Otherwise
If your first thought to the title was, "Hey,
I'm rich with family, friends, good health and faith!"
then you've already hit upon my first point. Good for
you! Being rich doesn't just imply having lots of cash.
It's also recognizing that there are things that money
can't buy and you need to learn to celebrate that above
the actual idea that being rich is about the cold, hard
cash.
Okay, that said, there are ways to pamper yourself or
help you feel like you're in with the rich crowd without
bringing your budget to its knees. Ask yourself these
questions; "What things in my life would I like
to change or what makes me feel rich and special?"
Is it having new clothes? Is it enjoying tea with friends
at a special, albeit expensive, tea house? Is it eating
out and not having to cook? Ask yourself the question
and then set out to find ways to satisfy these desires
without costing you an arm and a leg.
Is that shopping bug biting and you're thinking new
clothes? Consignment shops are brimming with high quality
clothing for significantly less than brand new. You'd
also be surprised at the quality of clothing at thrift
stores, especially those in and around expensive neighborhoods.
For many of us, it's not the desire to buy brand new
and expensive, but the desire for a change in our wardrobes
that compels us to shop. Learn how to add zip to your
wardrobe without taking the zap out of your budget!
What is it you like about eating out? Is it the nice
dishes? Not having to cook? I have found beautiful plates
and stemware at thrift stores. Candle light makes even
the simplest meal seem elegant. If you REALLY want to
make the evening seem special then shop at a grocery
store that has ready made meals. The meals are tasty,
somebody else has done the cooking AND you'll save a
significant amount of money over a pricy restaurant.
Add a nice romantic table setting, and someone else
not only did the cooking, but you've saved a lot of
dough!
I love tea houses. I love the eclectic collection of
tea cups and silver tea spoons. I love the different
teas. I love the shortbread cookies. I hate the price
for a little pot of tea and those cookies. I DO love
antiquing though and over the years I have found my
own collection of tea cups and spoons and pretty plates
that I can serve my homemade shortbread cookies on.
I have picked out my favorite teas and purchased them.
I love having my girlfriends over even more and we can
laugh, have BIG pots of tea and all the cookies we can
eat without ever getting a bill. I truly feel rich when
we're all together and having a good time but I haven't
spent a penny!
Do you like spa days? Having a nice facial and dipping
your sore feet in a peppermint foot soak is heavenly
indeed. You can buy spa quality facial and foot soak
at specialty shops and treat yourself at home. For the
price of a single spa day you can buy enough products
to treat yourself for a dozen or more home spa days!
Add some candlelight and a glass of your favorite wine
for an evening of joy and relaxation!
Decide what makes you feel rich and special and then
get creative. It's generally not the money we spend
that makes us feel rich, it's the experience. It's about
feeling spoiled. It's feeling special. Sometimes it's
just about change (think about how new paint in a room
can totally change how you feel about the room!). Above
all, remember that sometimes feeling rich is about changing
your attitude.
Other articles by Tammy:
Save Money on Your Grocery
Bills
Marriage and Finances:
What to do before you say
"I do."
Contact Information:
Tammy Paquin
www.frugal-families.com
.
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