Treating oneself

LegacyUser

I never treat myself to anything. Or i cant remember the last time i got myself anything that made me excited. Alot of it is do with money. I am a student so whatever money i do have it goes on stuff i need.

But wondering do other women do every once in a while?

I could do with getting something for once. I did buy a new book during the week and i love the smell of the new pages. A bit sad?

But i have been stressed out lately, with college work. And breaking up with someone. So i think its time to treat myself.

So looking for ideas that others have done to cheer themselves up a bit and to reduce stress? Thats cheap enough? Would it be sad to buy a bunch of flowers for yourself?

massages and facials, any i can find on offer or at my usual place

sam34

get some nice smellies, have a bath by candlelight, and then go to sleep in a bed with freshly changed sheets.

one of life's simple pleasures!

Acoshla

Nail varnish and jewellery or tights from Penneys are the cheap little things I get when I want to treat myself. When I have a bit more cash a meal out or a nice dessert or something are my favourite thing.

mariebeth

Lying in a hot bath with a book or a magazine is my treat once a week I'm a student as well, and working part time but the money doesn't cover big treats, so a bath does the trick for me!

PeefsPixie

For me its picking up little bits and pieces from cheap makeup brands like Essence or Catrice... The occasional Gloria Jeans... Going to Aldi/Lidl for lots of cheap but nom munch... Jewelry in Penneys... Theres lots of cheap but nice things you can buy for a bit of a pick me up

Storminateacup

I get Shellac on my nails every two weeks or so, following a manicure.
I have a weekly Back massage and try have a facial every 4-6 weeks.
I have my hair coloured and trimmed every 6 weeks.
I treat myself to something from MAC every pay day.
My weakness are dresses and shoes, which I seem to have a terrible addiction to purchasing.

I'm a firm believer that treats are absolutely nessessary in every womans life

Caraville

+1 on the hot bath and clean sheets. Bath bombs from Lush are just gorgeous.

I often buy myself flowers- admittedly only from Lidl/Aldi but I like putting them in my kitchen.

I love buying nail varnish and spending ages doing my nails properly- actually much prefer it to getting my nails done.

Buying myself something from Penneys is a nice treat (although I tend to do it too often for it to be classed as a treat really!)

Ben & Jerry's ice cream eaten straight out of the tub with a spoon is delish.

Buying a magazine and going for a hot chocolate & spending ages reading the magazine- bliss.

As for the new book smell OP- I totally agree, it's lovely. Not sad at all!!

beks101

I get my eyebrows threaded about once a month, the lift it gives me for about 20 quid is amazing. I'd second the self-manicures too, it's incredible how much more 'preened' that can make you feel.

My hair is also a daily source of enjoyment for me, it's pretty thick and high maintenance so I either spend time straightening or blowdrying curly or deep conditioning and styling it every day. It takes AGES so I make it a bit more enjoyable by cranking up the music and applying a face mask or something while I'm at it. It gives me a massive boost for the day.

A less superficial and cheaper treat - take a walk out to Toronto island and spend the day cycling around it. If I was in Ireland it'd be Howth or Connemara if I was at home in Galway. Doesn't get much better than that

I treated myself yesterday.

2 wonderbars melted with ~75g Dairygold.
Half a pack of digestive biscuits mashed up until some it like breadcrumbs and some is bigger, going up to bits about 4/5mm across. About 2 handfuls (as in a handful using two hands) of sultanas. The zest of one orange.

Pour the chocolate into the biscuit/sultana/orange zest and mix. Transfer it to a tin with at least a 2cm side and press it down. Let it cool to room temp and then chill in the fridge.

Drool. It's cheap, yummy and lasts for ages too.

beks101

true-or-false wrote: »

I treated myself yesterday.

2 wonderbars melted with ~75g Dairygold.
Half a pack of digestive biscuits mashed up until some it like breadcrumbs and some is bigger, going up to bits about 4/5mm across. About 2 handfuls (as in a handful using two hands) of sultanas. The zest of one orange.

Pour the chocolate into the biscuit/sultana/orange zest and mix. Transfer it to a tin with at least a 2cm side and press it down. Let it cool to room temp and then chill in the fridge.

Drool. It's cheap, yummy and lasts for ages too.

That would last about 2.5 seconds in my house!!

Acoshla

true-or-false wrote: »

I treated myself yesterday.

2 wonderbars melted with ~75g Dairygold.
Half a pack of digestive biscuits mashed up until some it like breadcrumbs and some is bigger, going up to bits about 4/5mm across. About 2 handfuls (as in a handful using two hands) of sultanas. The zest of one orange.

Pour the chocolate into the biscuit/sultana/orange zest and mix. Transfer it to a tin with at least a 2cm side and press it down. Let it cool to room temp and then chill in the fridge.

Drool. It's cheap, yummy and lasts for ages too.

You should try half 70% choc and half milk chocolate from Lidl, wonderbar is chocolate flavoured coating not actual chocolate, might be nicer

I also buy myself flowers in Lidl/Aldi, when they're reduced price and pretty I just realised I don't know why I treat myself to nail varnish as I can't wear it for work so I just end up buying pretty colours and then not using them!

jam_mac_jam

skincare with me, I am not a make up person but I will spend stupid money on a nice skin product (well stupid for me I am not talking creme de mere or what ever that stuff is).

sunflower27

jam_mac_jam wrote: »

skincare with me, I am not a make up person but I will spend stupid money on a nice skin product (well stupid for me I am not talking creme de mere or what ever that stuff is).

I second this! It was my b'day recently and my best friend bought me some gorgeous Liz Earle products. They are divine.

I also second a bath, with lots of bubbles then maybe something really unhealthy like a Dr Oetkar mozarello pizza and then some trash TV like the X Factor

Actually, I think I'll do just that this evening... because I'm worth it :pac:

EverEvolving

I usually think of treats in terms of food - mainly desserts and calorie laden yummienes. I love baths but find reading in the bath quite stressful as I always wet the book so have just given up that one !

Getting my hair done is a big one for me too, I love lying back having my hair washed. I love getting pedicures too but can never justify the price too often. Basically I love anything where I can lie there and be pampered!!

Eve_Dublin

I don't earn much and am usually saving for the months I'm not working but Spain is cheaper than Ireland and I'm not on the bread line yet but still have to do things on the cheap. I don't like the whole shopping experience, so that does nothing to cheer me up. In fact, I usually come home feeling miserable mainly because I don't like the clothes I find in shops that are affordable here so my treats usually involve food.

There's a cafe close to my house that serves delicious coffees, so I head down there with the paper to practice my Spanish and because I'm a regular in there, the staff give me an extra choccie and a fancy design on my coffee with chocolate syrup and I sit down and read the paper and watch the world go by.

Love to stick on my headphones and go for long, long walks and spot hot Spanish men. That's one of my favourites.

And I love to tidy my bedroom, get snuggly under the covers with clean sheets after a hot shower and drink chocolate soya milk and eat homemade lentil soup, melon, dark chocolate and just kind of graze on nice food in bed.

Animord

Oooh - its a bath for me too - a lovely deep hot bath, a good book and THE most important bit - a very large, very cold glass of dry white wine. Absolute heaven.

Ickle Magoo

Treat yourself to a night out with the girls - or a night in if money is scarce...a great night of belly laughs surrounded by friends always makes me feel better and puts everything in perspective.

Chinafoot

stressout wrote: »

I could do with getting something for once. I did buy a new book during the week and i love the smell of the new pages. A bit sad?

That's not sad at all! When I'm feeling a bit blah, or just want to treat myself I buy stationery. I love buying really nice notebooks and organisers, ohh and pens. Lots of pens. My most recent purchase was actually a desk from IKEA. We have a really large sitting room and while we have a desk in the bedroom, it's my boyfriend's for his PC which doesn't leave much room for study. So I bought one that matches the bookshelves in the sitting room and I love it. It's my space for working.

stressout wrote: »

Would it be sad to buy a bunch of flowers for yourself?

Again, not sad at all. I regularly bought flowers in M&S across from our apartment before we moved. They're so nice to brighten up a room. I must start doing it again. I work next door to a florist but its a little pricey.

Sorry to hear about your break-up OP. Definitely time to pamper yourself!

ElleEm

sam34 wrote: »

get some nice smellies, have a bath by candlelight, and then go to sleep in a bed with freshly changed sheets.

one of life's simple pleasures!

This is one of my favourite things to do.
Or I put some music on in my bedroom and pluck my eyebrows, do my nails, put on a facemask, read a magazine etc.
I have a very expensive "special occasion" perfume that I always feel great when I wear, it's a REAL treat, and I love to use expensive shower gels every now and then. It's probably the only thing I'm strict with is not wasting the "good" stuff on regular days.

When I was working, I would ALWAYS buy myself something on payday, whether it was shoes, a bag, book or CD. Being a poor student really made me appreciate it when I finally started working in a real job- but now I'm pleased by the little stuff as I've been off work sick for the last year

Treats are the things that everyone deserves, no matter how big or small.
Sometimes myself and my boyfriend pick a day, turn off our phones, pull the curtains and sit eating junk in front of the TV for the day. Bliss!!

Saaron

Lately I've been really into scents, I find them very calming and the nice smell cheers me up I started using incense burners but have found I much prefer oil burners as you have a huge selection of scents to chose from

Giselle

ElleEm wrote: »

now I'm pleased by the little stuff as I've been off work sick for the last year

Aw. Get better soon ElleEm

The whole bath/candles/book/music thing is lovely, but I get a bit bored after a while.

Go the whole hog and have a bath/candles/book/music/bed/hot chocolate/dvd/lie in.

Birdie086

Being a single parent, who is going out with someone for the last year, my biggest treat is when he is here at the weekend and offers to mind my son for an hour or two in the afternoon so I can go to bed. On my own, with no interuptions, cos nothing at all except some of my boyfriends time!!!

Before that my biggest treat was when my son was tucked up in bed to have a bath with some cheap bubble bath!!!

Simple things are often the best pleasures

Ill Follow the Sun

Hi! newbie poster, been lurking for a while. I've been thinking about this topic lately. I've been working now for over a year and have savings put away but I'm still living like a student.

When I was in college, I worked weekends but was very careful (even a bit stingy) with money. Now I have money, I don't really spend any on myself. I do buy books/cds/dvds sometimes but usually when they're on sale.

So, I'm going to take some tips from previous posters and learn to treat myself

Isard

Books. When in a bad mood, I just go to a bookshop and buy some new book or just hang around there. It always calms me down and cheers up
I also use that old reliable method of eating something tasty - in moderation, of course.

borderlinemeath

Theres nothing like a new book. It was my birthday last week and my family got me a few new books. So I'm "treat fixed" for a few weeks at least.

To get a read fix I love browsing through charity and second hand book shops. Lovely cheap inexpensive treat, and usually knowing that your few quid spent goes to a good cause.

For a big treat we go for a meal out. In the past year or so myself and my OH have become a lot more money conscious (and we don't have near as much as we used to). Sometimes we get a takeaway, but the odd time we'll splurge and head out to a local restaurant for a lovely meal.

echosound

OP sorry to hear you're stressed at the moment. Go to aldi and buy a bunch of roses for less than a fiver, it's not silly to buy yourself a bunch of flowers if it'll cheer you up

We're pretty skint all the time too, so my treats are mainly cheapo ones - Go somewhere scenic (beach, forest, mountain, lake) and go for a long walk, bring headphones if you're on your own and listen to your favourite music turned up to 11. If you're anywhere near a beach with amenities, get a bag of chips/coffee & bun/candyfloss:P/whatever it is you love and sit on a bench looking out at the ocean. Great way to destress and relax.

Call to see friends for a coffee and chat/night in with a few drinks, even just getting out and visiting people will lift your spirits.

Buy yourself a nice coffee in a cafe or a pub at lunchtime, and just sit and chill out, read the paper, etc.

Spend a whole day lounging about at home - curl up on the couch with a blanket/in front of a fire, watch your favourite film with a bowl of popcorn/some chocolate, read your new book, whatever. Just make sure you just "lounge"!

Bake yourself a cake (or some buns maybe?) that you love - I rarely bother (as if I bake a cake I scoff the whole lot if it is left in the house, but this had the added "feelgood" effect that I would bake a cake, bring it over to someone's house to give to them, and then have a slice of cake with them over a coffee) but I do love the process of making the cake, icing it, and then sitting down with a slice with a big mug of coffee, with a sploosh of cream in the coffee. If you cant bake, buy a slice of something indulgent from the bakery at your supermarket.

If you love books but can't afford to buy them, just go to a library and get out the maximum allowed number of books - I get a thrill coming home with 15 books to read :pac: even if they're only borrowed! I know you can't beat that new smell of a brand new book, but I still love the smell of paper in general.


If you ever have a few bob to spare, I find browsing places like TK Maxx or even a charity shop great for getting something good for very little money. I recently bought a really nice pair of good branded runners (which were badly needed) in TK Maxx for 15 euro (would have cost about 70 elsewhere). Last year, I found a lovely pair of fancy purple heels with ribbon ties in a charity shop for a fiver (the sticker from the shop they were originally bought in was still on the bottom - €85 euro :eek:). A bargain really cheers me up!

A trip to penneys to pick up some cheap jewellery or a scarf will only set you back maybe 4 or 5 euro.

If you have other friends who are a bit broke like yourself, organise a clothes-swop. You'll all have "new" clothes without spending a cent! There are 4 women in my family who are all roughly the same size/height, so we swop clothes among ourselves (decent stuff obviously, not tat that needs to be binned!) and we're all happy to have new tops/cardis/whatever and get rid of stuff we know we're not going to wear ourselves again.

flossie

Day to day, i will buy myself flowers. Normally somethign fragrant as they make me smile as i walk past.

If i am driving past Avoca i might call in and get a tea and a cake then sit in the car in complete silence to enjoy it.

Recently I was in Paris, went to a gallery and fell in love with some artworks. I walked away, spent the weekend thinking about them then decided 'what the hell, i will only regret not buying them'. €1600 and won't get to me until Christmas. Still, i love them, and they mean something to me. Plus i work damn hard and this was my reward for it....

miss choc

My three indulgences are travel, make up and food just booked a cheapy w/end away in Jan for some sun this gives me an instant boost in front of this gloomy weather. Buying a new lippy/nail varnish is good esp if it comes with a free gift and can't beat the big bar of chocolate
I dont spend money on expensive clothes, shoes, dont drink lots and non smoker so I treat myself to the others things instead
Also the internet deals are good great for getting a bargain with the hairdressers endless amounts of free mags/coffee treat myself now and again to highlights

Isard

miss choc wrote: »

the big bar of chocolate

Right! I knew it the moment I looked at your nickname!:D

Lorrs33

The problem with me is that I treat myself too much with little money. I recommend books, though. Never let you down!

saa

mariebeth wrote: »

Lying in a hot bath with a book or a magazine is my treat once a week I'm a student as well, and working part time but the money doesn't cover big treats, so a bath does the trick for me!

Noo I was in the hardware store today and forgot to buy a plug, been living here since May and it's taken me this long to buy proper bath cleaner.

A rare commodity these days.

I would be careful about treats, as a student I can get into a habit of treating myself too much. I'd day in moderation, unlike myself really clear your mind ( guided meditations on youtube are great for that and helping with college work/stress) and then decide what you would really like what would make you feel good, think about things you like about yourself so youre excited about your me time.


Don't forget a treat can be anything positive, maybe join a club, go for a walk even clean your room and enjoy it.. although you can see how easily that turns into procrastination.

ICANN

I reckon I'm too good to myself to be honest!! :-O I go through periods of not buying anything at all and then going mad with clothes/make-up etc.

One of my favourite things to do at the moment is to go for a walk in the park, it really relaxes me at this time of year cos it's so pretty with autumn leaves everywhere :-D

Going to the cinema is a good treat too!!

Tea-a-Maria

Most of my little treats revolve around food.

Butlers white hot chocolate is my usual reward after handing in an assignment.

And there is no better way to spend a weekend than curled up in bed with your boyfriend, a pile of DVDs and copious amounts of junk food.:D

Das Kitty

My treats used to be all food.

I've stopped that now. I have an Amazon and eBay wish list and I get myself something off them when I need a treat.

Eviledna

Das Kitty wrote: »

My treats used to be all food.

I've stopped that now.

Please tell me how!!:)

Azureus

My 'spoil myself' time is a bath, only bout once a month. Really hot, lots of bubbles accompanied by a magazine and a very cold glass of pinot grigio. Heaven My boyfriend got me a big gift set of lush bath bombs so Im set til next Christmas for em.

Other than that, my treating myself things would be lunch with the girls every couple of weeks or a big night out. I used to go out for a meal with the boytoy once a week as a treat but thats been scaled back to once every 6-8 months (damn recession!). i actually appreciate those nights so much more now though. Im funny with money, Id much rather spend on experiences (holidays,nights out,dinners) than material things like clothes or makeup-even though I love fashion etc these things are on a need-to-buy basis.

I think its funny how some people see buying a good book, socialising or going for a walk in the park as a 'treat'. While I think these things are brilliant, I dont see them as treats because to me they're essential rather than treats. Maybe I just have too much me-time (i do also work full time) but I couldnt function without these things every day-we deserve a good book without the guilt of a treat...dont we??!

Das Kitty

Eviledna wrote: »

Please tell me how!!:)

Heh heh. I basically realised that it wasn't a treat if it made me feel like crap and not fit in my trousers.

stick girl

Flowers are a definite when you want to pamper. they'll brighten up a room and bring a little light into your life. Totally agree with the relaxing bath. especially if you have a lovely scented bath gel. get in with a good book and a glass of wine.. heaven!

tatabubbly

Going for a bath tonight after reading this thread with a good book!

Storminateacup

I think flowers are so depressing. Its so sad. Someone buys them for you - probably someone that just wants to remind you that they love you - they're all perfect for a few days and then they just die. Like his love for you, might.

It's sad.

Also the smell reminds me of funerals

Sauve

Storminateacup wrote: »

I think flowers are so depressing. Its so sad. Someone buys them for you - probably someone that just wants to remind you that they love you - they're all perfect for a few days and then they just die. Like his love for you, might.

It's sad.

Also the smell reminds me of funerals

I've never thought of flowers this way before, but it actually makes sense.
An ex used to buy me potted plants, makes much more sense now, and I thought he was just weird

Storminateacup

Storminateacup wrote: »

I think flowers are so depressing. Its so sad. Someone buys them for you - probably someone that just wants to remind you that they love you - they're all perfect for a few days and then they just die. Like his love for you, might.

It's sad.

Also the smell reminds me of funerals

Well I don't think they represent transient love, but I don't like them being bought for me because they do die soon. It seems a waste of flowers that could live on happily in the ground. In my imagination they keep living on happily in the ground anyway. :pac:

Jenneke87

For me a treat is everything by Weleda(love the stuff) a massage(if I can afford it) or clothes from my favorite online website. They are very expensive because it's all very unusual stuff they sell but yesterday my new coat arrived. I paid $30 for it when it normally costs $215. That way, I can afford to treat myself every once in a while.

hairyprincess

I can rarely afford to treat myself but I bought myself a food processor on boards deals a few weeks ago and it just arrived today. I love to cook and I've wanted one for ages and it was half price so it was hard to resist a bargain!!

Lia_lia

I buy way too many clothes. And sometimes make-up. Spend way too much money than I should for a student. But not necessarily to treat myself...more of an impulse thing.

I think massages/beauty treatments/facials etc are an absolute waste of money. They do nothing for me. But that's just me I guess...many of my friends love them!

I eat cakes/chocolate and stuff whenever I want to.

Hmm..

The only times I "treat myself" really is going to the jacuzzi at work in between shifts..it is so relaxing! But I get bored after about 10 minutes and go swimming

The Princess Bride

I work far too hard,have only had 2 weeks holidays from work in the last 18 months- and would be the 1st to admit I don't treat myself as often as I should.

I try to get away with friends on an over-nighter at least once a year,switch off phone,a bottle or few(ha!)of red wine and hit the dance floors with a bang........and the good news is that night is this week, watch out Dublin,here I come!!!!!

chickenbutt

I like treating myself to some new makeup once in awhile. If I am really ambitious, I'll get all cozy and watch a good movie with a glass (or 2) of wine and a bowl of popcorn.

I've never had a proper massage but oh my god I would love one.

ElleEm

chickenbutt wrote: »

I like treating myself to some new makeup once in awhile. If I am really ambitious, I'll get all cozy and watch a good movie with a glass (or 2) of wine and a bowl of popcorn.

I've never had a proper massage but oh my god I would love one.

They are such an amazing treat. You should look at Boards deals, or even your local salons. You will never want another treat again!

there's one on grabone.ie today for 20 euro in dublin

i love massages so much, im going to have to start budgeting to go for them more often :pac:

ElleEm

bluewolf wrote: »

there's one on grabone.ie today for 20 euro in dublin

i love massages so much, im going to have to start budgeting to go for them more often :pac:

I have MS and they often say massages are good for the legs and stuff.... I might start having them regularly for medicinal purposes, purely !!! Even though I have no symptoms at the mo'!!