Perhaps you’ve just finished a challenging work project or maybe you simply got all your chores done ahead of time. These moments will often have you thinking about rewarding yourself, your inner voice proudly shouting “deserve ko ‘to!” after all the effort you put in. While celebrating life’s small victories is certainly a great way to keep yourself motivated, it’s also important not to let those rewards be the reason why you eventually ruin your budget.
Treating yourself doesn’t have to break the bank. With proper planning and searching for budget-friendly alternatives, you can still celebrate your small wins while staying financially responsible. As part of our finance tips for young entrepreneurs, here are some ways to have fun and pamper yourself without having to spend a fortune.
1. Use Credit Card Rewards
Utilizing credit card rewards can be a great way to get travel deals, discount vouchers, or restaurant meals, thus allowing you to treat yourself without spending extra money. Some credit card rewards also offer generous cashback options, like the Landers Cashback Everywhere credit card by Maya, for example, meaning you can use them to offset the costs of a treat you buy for yourself (like premium chocolates or a bottle of good wine). To know what rewards you can redeem, check your card provider’s app or website for their updated catalogue.
You may also check with your bank if they’re partnered with specific establishments for more savings. For instance, if you want to treat yourself to a fancy dinner, then go to a restaurant that offers an exclusive discount or cashback for users of the card you own, instead of reducing your expenses.
2. Take Advantage of Free & Discounted Local Activities
Keep an eye out for free entertainment offered in your city or in nearby places so you can enjoy a fun time without having to shell out money for admission tickets. For instance, you can attend free concerts held in public spaces such as parks or visit a museum during a discounted or free admission day. For example, you can follow FB groups like Manila Concerts to get updates on possible free concerts.
This approach can also apply to other activities you may want to do, such as joining the free fitness classes offered in your neighborhood instead of paying for a gym membership fee. By taking advantage of these free or discounted activities, you can still give yourself a fun and relaxing time without having to spend too much (or any at all).
3. Set Up a DIY Spa Day at Home
A full spa day can be the ultimate form of indulgence and relaxation, yet they often come with a price that’ll certainly take a chunk out of your budget. To enjoy a relaxing spa day at a fraction of the cost, consider setting up DIY spa treatments at home. This could include using essential oils and bath salts for a soothing bath, buying face masks you can put on to make your skin feel soft and supple, giving yourself a manicure, and more.
Don’t forget to capture that calming spa atmosphere by lighting candles and putting on soothing music as well. If you’re not as knowledgeable in DIY spa treatments, you can check out beauty blogs or YouTube tutorial videos so you can further elevate your spa day and feel as pampered as you can be. Read this post for more tips, and watch this video below as well!
4. Plan a Budget-Friendly Getaway
Traveling is a great reward to give yourself. It’s not only a fun experience, it can also give you that much-needed break from the hustle and bustle of work, home, and life in general. The good news is that traveling doesn’t have to be expensive either, so long as you’re willing to put in the effort to plan ahead and look for good deals. I suggest going to the good groups on Reddit to find the best info.
For instance, it’s a good idea to follow the social media accounts of airlines so you’ll always be informed if they’re holding a sale. Also, consider booking flights off-season or midweek for cheaper prices. For accommodations, you can either check your credit card’s rewards catalog if you can redeem discounted hotel stays or browse rentals for budget-friendly accommodations. With these travel hacks, you can treat yourself to a vacation without having to spend too much.
You can also sometimes find reliable videos with tips on YouTube, like this one:
5. Enjoy Happy Hour Deals & Restaurant Specials
Instead of paying full price at a restaurant when treating yourself, consider going during specific times or days when they offer special deals. For instance, dining and drinking during happy hour can net you discounts and even free drinks at times. Meanwhile, taking advantage of promotions such as weekend deals or lower prices before closing lets you get more out of your money. In addition, be on the lookout for coupons that you can use to get even more savings.
6. Host a Potluck Night with Friends
Perhaps instead of treating yourself alone, you’d much prefer to share good food and spend quality time with friends. If so, rather than dining out as a group, opt instead to host a potluck night where each guest brings a dish. You can also have a DIY pizza or taco bar by setting up the ingredients beforehand and letting everyone craft their own pizza or taco.
While this may take more effort as you’ll need to coordinate with everyone and set up your home to accommodate guests, it can be much more fun and worthwhile as you get to enjoy not only the varied dishes your friends will bring but the overall bonding experience as well. Here are some more tips for planning this.
Fulfilling “deserve ko ‘to” indulgences doesn’t have to come at the expense of your budget. With planning, creativity, and extra effort, you can still treat yourself and enjoy little luxuries without feeling guilty about spending too much.
Arun is an avid blogger and business expert. He’s been in business from the moment he finished school and hasn’t stopped growing ever since.
