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Luxury is always marketed as something expensive so that people will part with huge chunks of their money for it. However, it doesn’t have to be something pricey, as even small, budget-friendly things can also bring a “rich” twist to your mundane life.
Even Reddit user cerezza__ thinks that way, so she asked online, “What’s a cheap habit that makes you feel way richer than you actually are?” Her question went viral as netizens gushed over numerous such “cheap thrills.” You might even be able to relate to a few of them, so just scroll down to check them out!
More info: Reddit
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#1
Vinyls playing jazz at home. Most any music older than 1980 is a whole other vibe. It doesn’t feel the same when I play my Taylor Swift albums that I also have on Spotify.
Never underestimate the power of types of music for your mood. It’s like decorating the air.
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#2
Buying high quality second-hand clothes. Wearing clothes made of natural fibers makes me feel rich.
Upstaged75 8 months ago
I discovered bamboo based clothing and it changed my life! I get hot flashes and it's designed to keep you cool. I have both pajamas and regular clothes and it's super comfortable. My favorite brand is Latuza and you can get it on Amazon. It's more expensive than cotton, but it's not hugely pricey.
#3
Learning to cook makes me feel rich because we eat like kings and queens. For example, I love steak but only rib eye. I buy rib eye every time I see it on sale. $8 for a rib eye cooked at home beats $50 for a rib eye at a restaurant.
The thing is, "feeling rich" and "luxury" are very subjective things, as they differ according to how each individual perceives them. For instance, you can see in the list that some people think buying something makes their life luxurious, while others say that eating the vegetables that they planted themselves is what truly makes them feel "rich."
What we are trying to say is that not everything comes down to money, assets, or estate, as in the end, it's all about things that make you happy and give you the satisfaction that you need. No matter how much wealth you accumulate, it won't really make your life "rich" if you are miserable about the important things.
#4
Having fresh herbs to use in cooking. I either start from seed or buy small plants and keep them on the balcony. Having green growing things makes me happy and always having fresh herbs (right now there is rosemary, chives, oregano, thyme, dill, and I have basil seeds started)to cook with makes me enjoy cooking at home more.
#5
Keep inside of car clean and smelling good.
#6
I bought one place setting of a super fancy tea set when it was on clearance. It is a teacup, saucer, and desert/salad plate.
Sometimes when I need a pick me up, I’ll make tea and a snack with them and it makes me feel fancy and happy.
Lazy Panda 2 8 months ago
Making a pot of tea, putting milk into a little jug, and plating some biscuits. For some reason pouring that tea and milk into a nice mug just feels so good. Then slowly dunking the biscuits and eating them. Oh my.
With "frugal living" turning into a trend, it has garnered a lot of negative attention as people always associate it with being cheap. However, it has been observed that frugality is not about miserly money-saving behavior; it is about lifestyle choices and values. It is about removing the obsession with materialism and competitiveness and focusing on what matters to you.
As we said, it's all about the little things in life that bring you true happiness. Research also suggests that frugal habits offer numerous hidden benefits beyond saving money, as frugal individuals often experience lower levels of stress and anxiety compared to their more materialistic counterparts.
#7
My towels are bath sheets. They're massive, stretching from armpit to knee. They could make a rather modest dress with very little effort. I feel much more warm after stepping out of a hot shower with my big towels and prefer never to use any other- I'll even bring mine when I'm traveling to avoid tiny hotel options.
Regina Holt 8 months ago
Mine are beach towels. They reach way longer than yours. I grew up using "regular" bath towels, and they were cheap also. I bought some beach towels at Costco years ago, and will never use small cheap ones again.
#8
I finally got myself a library card so I can download audiobooks for free on Libby. After using audible for so long it feels like cheating.
#9
Having a thrifted wardrobe full of Ralph Lauren,
Levi’s, Lululemon, Patagonia & other higher-end brands at a fraction of the original prices. But mostly it is wearing $1 secondhand silk pants and a $3 secondhand short-sleeve cashmere sweater as pajamas. Makes me feel like a QUEEN. 👸 💅.
According to studies, 55% of people said that financial stress impacted their mental health, while 44% said that it impacted their physical health. However, it has been noted that those living frugally experience improved physical and mental health.
Other research implies that frugal lifestyle choices like avoiding fast food, for instance, can cut back on unnecessary expenses while avoiding excessive weight gain and improving your nutritional profile. Saving efficiently may also increase consumers’ likelihood of seeking preventative health treatment, enhancing longevity.
#10
Buying nicer outerwear. I grew up wearing tennis shoes with Walmart bags inside during snow days while my richer friends had snow pants, boots, mittens... I never had a pair of rainboots. My parents bought us nice coats and things but not until we were old enough to not grow out of things quickly. Now I have rain boots, rain jacket, light jackets, heavy coats, etc. Good outerwear makes me feel rich.
Regina Holt 8 months ago
I also now have really good outerwear. I've bought them on clearance, and they are just so much better than what I had bought in the past.
#12
After finishing a jar of pickles, I throw random veggies in the jar and put it back in the fridge. Extending that sweet sweet brine elevates a lot of meals!
Firstname Lastname 8 months ago
I've done it with radishes and onions. Currently have a jar of just brine in the fridge waiting for me to find quality veggies to pickle.
Harvard conducted a long-running study, since 1938, that followed 724 teenagers from their youth to their retirement. The happiest among those who were retired had similar traits when it came to their mindset, not their bank account.
This just goes to show that the number of zeros in your bank balance is not the harbinger of happiness; it's how satisfied you feel with your life in the end that matters. No wonder there are so many unhappy millionaires out there who have all the finances they need but no satisfaction.
#13
Keeping my apartment spotless. And my pets happy and healthy.
Upstaged75 8 months ago
I currently have 2 kittens and spend an inordinate amount of time cleaning my home. But I love going to bed with everything clean and neat. And then I wake up to a huge mess they made while I was sleeping. :)
#14
I declutterred and keep it up. We moved a number of times over the last 10 or so years and every time I got rid of more stuff. We kept the good stuff, the antiques, the art, the quality clothing and so on. Having less stuff is literally freeing and makes me feel richer.
If something is broken, we get it fixed or dispose of it. I spent so much of my life “making do” even when we could have afforded the update or we got the update and keep the older one “just in case”. No more. Even if it cannot be replaced or fixed, the old, broken one goes away.
My home feels light and airy, peaceful and calm. Every morning I open curtains to the sunshine/light to start my day. I am rich in the things that matter.
#15
Perfume. I buy only travel size or sample sizes spread out over time so that I have several to choose from by now and whenever I get ready it feels so wonderfully luxurious.
With this quote by Claire Luce, we conclude our thoughts: "Money can't buy happiness, but it can make you awfully comfortable while you're being miserable." Now we want to hear about your frugal things or habits that make you feel truly rich. Don't hesitate to share them in the comments below. Also, if you are able to relate to any of the things mentioned in this list, don't forget to upvote them!
#16
I love plating my food for myself and friends as if we are eating out, because we eat with our eyes and food is edible art ❤ A few times a week, I get to bring some beauty in the world with some small choices, and the investment of time. Can't afford to eat out much but don't feel like I'm missing out.
#17
Kerrygold butter. I only buy it for vacations & guests & for good bread. Makes them so much more luxurious.
BookFanatic 8 months ago
That, and pure maple syrup, are my only two luxuries. Worth every penny.
#18
A long bath with cheap plain Epsom salts and a few drops of essential oils with a spa playlist on. .
#19
I clip coupons and save a ton of money on groceries (and grow some of my own food typically every year.)
I use some of those savings to buy myself flowers at the grocery store and make an arrangement at home after everything is put away.
K Barnes 8 months ago
Honest question, are grocery coupons still a thing where others live? They are really quite rare where I live and don't come in the mail/newspapers anymore. I know a few stores do online coupons but none of the grocers where I live. Some grocery stores do have apps with discounts but not most. I used to coupon heavily for groceries but it's no longer an option.
#20
Yard sales. Only way I get nice things, like a robot vacuum for cheap or a portable dishwasher. I feel like the jetsons and those two things combined costed me like $100. This summer I’m going to try to build my dvd collection so I can justify getting rid of my streaming services. Buy a 500 dvd binder and own my movies. One of these days I’ll build a server setup. But I digress.
Brian Droste 8 months ago
OP, what type of movies do you like. I got bunch of movies I would like to get rid of. I know I won't get a answer.
#21
I put a wet rag in the microwave for 30 seconds and it becomes a spa hot towel.
#23
Getting that boring ol’ homemade black coffee and putting cocoa, vanilla flavoring, whipped topping, and fun sprinkles in/on it. Or just making food look nice, in general.
#24
Going to bed every night in clean sheets and a made bed that looks like a hotel stay. Even when the rest of the house is chaos, it feels so nice to pull back the sheets and go to sleep.
DeoManus Argentem 8 months ago
I don't replace my sheets every day, but do make my bed - hard to beat slipping into a well-made bed!
#25
I keep a $100 bill in my wallet. I don’t spend it but I like knowing I have it. My accountant shared that one with me.
#26
Having a luxurious shower. After a long day and getting in a hot shower and lathering on my shampoo that I use as a body wash and just relaxing in the shower makes me feel so happy.
#27
I switched from keurig to French press. Omg it’s a great upgrade. I can batch make cold brew concentrate too!!
#28
Flossing. Secret trick to no morning breath ever!
BookFanatic 8 months ago
Lucky. I floss every night and my morning breath could wake the dead (or at least make the cats do their "stinky face" scrunch and hop off the bed in disgust).
#29
Swimming at the community center. There are gyms near me that charge $250/month and don’t have a pool, but I get free fitness classes and a pool.
#30
I do so by keeping my home exceptionally clean and orderly. My wife and I live better than our friends that inherited millions. They have a big house but it is disgustingly dirty because they don't bother to look after it.
Brian Droste 8 months ago
If they inherited millions, couldn't they have a maid or a service come in the most once a week or the least once a month? If I came in millions which is never going to happened, I would hire someone to come in and clean for me.
#31
Mini chocolate chips or grated chocolate bar in my instant cocoa. Levels that right up.
Also I found a place that sells discounted Pepperidge Farm breads near their best-by date for $1.60 a loaf and that makes even a PBJ feel special.
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Lyoness 8 months ago
I don't know if they have it in other countries but in Canada there's an app called Too Good To Go that you can use to find stores offering end of day or close to expired food for next to nothing. The last time we used it we got a huge bag full of perfectly good produce and a loaf of day old Ace (super fancy) bread for $5.
bElLa sTairZz 8 months ago
this is so usefull what? australia better have it
Load More Replies...
R Dennis 8 months ago
I saw a story where a person said they didn't have China sets in cupboards in France, they used their nice dishes every day! I don't know if it's true, but I won an auction (less than $50 USD) for a 12 place China set and they are our daily dishes. (Found a similar set online that sold for $2500!)
Lyoness 8 months ago
I don't know if they have it in other countries but in Canada there's an app called Too Good To Go that you can use to find stores offering end of day or close to expired food for next to nothing. The last time we used it we got a huge bag full of perfectly good produce and a loaf of day old Ace (super fancy) bread for $5.
bElLa sTairZz 8 months ago
this is so usefull what? australia better have it
Load More Replies... R Dennis 8 months ago
I saw a story where a person said they didn't have China sets in cupboards in France, they used their nice dishes every day! I don't know if it's true, but I won an auction (less than $50 USD) for a 12 place China set and they are our daily dishes. (Found a similar set online that sold for $2500!)
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