When it comes to budgeting, there’s a fine line between being thrifty to save and depriving yourself of comfort. If there is one thing Covid-19 has taught me, it’s some things are worth the splurge. Here are a few of my cheap luxuries I will always set aside money in the budget for.
Toilet Tissue
The one thing EVERYONE was on the hunt for over the past few months … toilet tissue. I don’t like waiting to buying things at the last minute because that’s when you’re stuck paying full price. Generally, toilet tissue is one of those things I like to buy when I see it on sale in my local circular, which seems to happen once every 4 to 6 weeks. Like many people, Covid-19 caught me slippin’ and I was out here in these Charlotte streets trying to find any amount of plies to place on the roll before I was forced to get a bidet or just hop in the shower post every trip to the restroom.
I’ve always been a Charmin kind of lady, but I had to take what I could get and tried out various brands, many I’d never heard of, while waiting for Charmin to reappear on the shelves. Let me just tell you, after many incidents where the tissue just seems to disintegrate at the slightest mist of wetness, I’d rather just use the little bottle they give you when you leave the hospital after giving birth until I can have my Charmin back.
Price: It’s worth every bit of the $17.99 +tax they charge for the 12 count mega roll at my local grocery store.
Sheets
This may come from my love of travel and aspirations of living in a hotel when I grow up but staying in many hotels has taught me all sheets are not created equal. I can’t even saying it has to be a specific thread count or Egyptian cotton (I love flannel sheets in the winter and jersey knit in autumn), I just don’t like those polyester blend sheets that seem to hold in all of the heat, so you wake up in a puddle of sweat in the middle of the night. Don’t think this means you’ll be warm in the winter – it doesn’t and you will be cold because somehow, magically they repel heat when it’s cold out. No matter the season, you will be uncomfortable and mad you skimped on quality sheets.
Shower Head
Again, this comes from trying various shower heads at hotels, but I realized a shower just feels a schmillion times more luxurious when you’ve got several streams of soft water cascading over your body. Even more so when it’s coming from many different directions. Changing out your shower head is an easy switch and it’s something you can easily do in a rental house or apartment to make it feel a little more like your own without preventing you from getting your deposit back.
Price: Around $19.99 on the lower end
Fresh Flowers
I’ve loved flowers for as long as I can remember. When I was younger, my grandmother used to go to the local flower store and get bouquets to liven up the house or to take over when she was going to visit friends. When I was in high school, my boyfriend at the time would send me flowers just because and til this day I think it’s the most beautiful gift when I see someone purchasing flowers for their significant other; give me flowers over jewelry any day.
I love to grab them as a little something special for myself when I get groceries or really just because I love me and want to do something special for myself.
Price: Starting at about $4 a pack at the local grocery store or $10 at the farmer’s market
Organic Foods
A lot of people feel like organic food is out of their reach and far from the “cheap luxuries” category but with stores like Aldi and Lidl stepping up their organics game, it’s become more possible than ever to get good food with low to no pesticides or harmful chemicals attached. I really try to stick to the outer perimeter of grocery stores, or just go to the farmer’s market when available, and choose the produce marked “organic” even if it is an extra. Spoiler alert, it is usually always extra, but I have seen it the same price or cheaper from time to time depending upon what I’m buying.
Price: Varies based on item
Has Covid-19 opened your eyes to some things you really would rather not live without? What are some cheap luxuries you set aside money in your budget for?
