Wednesday, April 28, 2010

How to live a life of luxury on a dime


By CheapStingyBargains.com

You know that movie with Nicholas Cage where he’s a wealthy jerk who wakes up one morning married to his college girlfriend and living a middle class lifestyle? Wouldn’t it be nice if we could all wake up tomorrow morning living a wealthy life? So, we’re not rich. So what? That doesn’t mean we all can’t fake it. There are ways to live a glamorous life without spending a fortune.

1. Smoke & Mirrors: If you’ve ever been to a play, you know the value of setting the scene. One small table covered in red and white check tablecloths, a bottle of wine and some music, and suddenly you’re in Italy. It doesn’t take much to do the same thing in your own home. Spend a weekend trolling yard sales or thrift stores and $25 or less later you’ll come home with a host of props to change the entire look of your home, well at least one room. You only need a few choice pieces to change the entire feeling. The impact of a gallon of paint should not be underestimated – a new coat of color on your walls, in addition to a bold color tablecloth or curtain, oversized throw pillows, a dramatic throw rug and a five dollar piece of artwork will make your living room brand new.


2. Small indulgences: The dollar store is a magical place. Think “spa” next time you’re there and load up on nail polish, scented sachets, candles, bubble baths, soaps and lotions. Spend ten bucks and walk out with ten new spa goodies. Go home, dig out grandma’s silver trays and bowls and use them. Display your finds in any unique containers that you have around the house. Roll up some face towels and fill a bowl with lemons you picked up 10 for a dollar at the farmers market. Top off a champagne glass with some cooled herbal tea and head to your deluxe bathroom spa. Be sure to hang a handmade “do not disturb” sign on the doorknob.


3. It’s a mind game: You are what you think. Go to the bank and take out a brand new, crisp one hundred dollar bill. Warning: this idea is really only for the most will powered of us out there. Put that hundred in your wallet and trust me, something amazing happens…suddenly you feel richer, you feel less depressed, and you feel empowered. You’re not going to spend that hundred. You’re just going to carry it around, knowing that if you wanted to buy something, you could…because you have the money. It changes your mind set from one of lack to one of abundance. Just knowing it’s there changes things. Try it, watch what happens.


Just because you’re not rich doesn’t mean you’re not living a rich life. In fact, I bet if you look around, you’ll find you have everything you need right now. What’s the saying about wanting what you have? Maybe we should all give that a try for awhile.

Paula Sirois is a Florida based writer who writes about divorce, single parenting and frugal living. Cheapstingybargains.com scours the Internet for the very best deals, sales, close-outs, freebies, rebates, and exclusive coupons.

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