Indulgence on a Budget

A few years ago when I was a typical starving graduate student, Marla and I decided we wouldn't give up ALL the things we loved. We came up with a way to indulge...but on a budget. Here are some tips on how to indulge on a budget.

Tip 1: Anytime you have cash (from a tutoring gig or babysitting or the ATM), put $20 into a special box or envelope hidden somewhere you won't touch until you are ready to spend it.

Tip 2: Have a goal. Decide where you want to go and how much you will need to get there. Write the goal amount on that box or envelope and don't touch it until you go.

Tip 3: Talk to your travel agent (ours is obviously Mari Marks from Pro Travel in Encino, CA). You can ask your travel agent for suggestions, what to look for in terms of specials or discounts, and good ways to save.

Tip 4: Plan your trip. Look at free websites such as tripadvisor, or the local city guide website to get an overview of events going on in that town when you are visiting. Look for free days/nights at a museum, local art shows, or wine tastings with nominal fees.

Tip 5: Enjoy the time you are away. You worked hard to save and when you travel, don't get caught up in how long it takes to get there, or how annoyed you are with the airline delay because that is part of the journey.

What I just described was how to indulge on a budget say if you are planning a trip...but most of my days I indulge on a budget by appreciating the very little things...reading the paper in the morning, taking a walk to Starbucks, people watching, calling a friend who lives out of town.

Tonight the way I will indulge on a budget is by cooking. I am not leaving the house to buy groceries, I am just taking what I already have and making dinner for Marla and my best friend Ilana. I am using frozen chicken breast, a box of quinoa, and whatever veggies are left from the week to make a healthy, inexpensive meal. The indulge part of this is not only the joy I have in making the dinner, but sharing it with my favorite people. Oh, and opening a bottle of wine from our small collection (right now we have about 150 bottles). Tonight is about Laker pride (come on already), friendship, and food.

However you indulge on a budget (and everyone's budget is different)...remember that Foodie Therapy is what you make of it. It can be a Steak at Cut, a Kogi truck taco, or just a simple dinner at home with friends.