"Rewarding yourself" on the cheap. How?

[sunshinegal1981]

Sometimes, I have days where I've done a really great job at something, feel super proud of myself, and feel like I deserve a psychological 'reward'.

Occasionally, I manage to do this cheaply... Take a bath and paint my toenails.....or grab a great book and head to Starbucks, order a $4 frothy masterpiece, and sip on it for an hour like it's a fine scotch, while reading, people watching, and feeling fabulous.

Other times, though, I definitely overspend. Recently: $100 foot massage, a super expensive fitness class, new pair of shoes or a makeup item that I don't really NEED etc.

How can I satisfy that "I did such a great job on X last night.... I really DESERVE to buy myself something NICE!" feeling, without dropping a huge chunk of change?

What do YOU girls do?

[8 Bit WWBG]

What was that stuff about motivational factors vs hygiene (not cleanliness) factors? Things like positive compliments are true motivating factors (they make people feel good and continue to perform above average) whereas rewards like raises are hygiene factors (after the glow wears off, people go back to average)?

I solve this problem by never doing a good job

Alright in all seriousness, there is ALWAYS something I want. Most recently it was a Frieling french press, which I got thanks to a gift card for christmas. Seeing as I just plunked down a large sum for an engagement ring, I think I've earned something for myself.

Other times, its time to do what I want. I reward myself with some forum posting time. Sometimes I reward myself in advance, and then reward myself again afterward.

[Deleted]

A few things I like: buy myself a paperback book, find a fun new app to download onto my iPod, or download a new piece of music.

[schildi]

"Take a bath and paint my toenails"

Maybe I have to try this, LOL. Not sure what my wife will think though .... ;D

[suzwantstobefree]

The one thing that I like to do is look up on google "things to do for free in __________ florida" (filling in of course your own city and state). It is really neat because I often find things I like to do for free and it also works as a good reward for me. Some things I have come up with - a walk through the eco system with a guide (for free!!!), a sidewalk art show (free), a visit to to the zoo after 9 (for free), etc............

[Cookies Galore]

I find doing it is a fabulous reward.
But seriously, I have my wine. I have my every day wines and I have my wines I keep for special occasions or tough days at work.
A co-worker of mine purchases a six-pack of Phillies tickets (kind of like a pick-you-own mini-season ticket package) and purchased a game for the day after a three-day committee meeting she's running. It's going to be a hectic three days and the game she purchases is an early afternoon game, so her reward for successfully surviving this meeting is leaving work to enjoy a ball game. That's motivation!

[BeenThere...DoneThat...]

...make a list of "hoped for" things that are within your budget but kept getting pushed off your "to do" list... post it somewhere... next milestone, go check one off your list...

;D

[Deleted]

Food. I will make myself something I really enjoy but rarely make. Or get it takeout. Making it myself is less expensive though.

[Gardening Grandma]

A glass of red wine and a piece of dark chocolate!

[olderburgher]

Sushi for lunch, like today.

[cubefarmer]

Pedicure.

[motherto2]

Give yourself a set amount - like say $20.00. Head for the mall and make a game of seeing how many things you can find on sale and not go over your set amount. Write down what it was, what store it was in, and the amount. When you are finished browsing, sit down with a drink, look over your list, and see if there is anything on it you still want. If so,, go back and get it (them).

[Deleted]

I buy a magazine or book and give myself time to read it.

[Peace77]

A nice piece of an imported chocolate bar (only $1.29 from Aldi's)

A magazine

Drive in the country

An afternoon nap

A free concert or library program

[Deleted]

I just bought an Ipod shuffle for $49 for my birthday. I know for those who are really on a tight budget, $50 is a lot. But for me, it isn't. I just agonized over a want/need.

I thought it was an inexpensive reward for being very good lately about $$$. I have saved that much by staying out of stores.

[sunshinegal1981]

These are all awesome suggestions!! I liked the idea of looking up free/cheap things available in my city.... I just moved to NYC, so there should be no shortage of fun things... just have to find 'em!

Yes.... on the wine/chocolate..... ;-)

GREAT SUGGESTIONS!!! Keep 'em coming... more more more!!!

[Peace Of Mind]

I love plants that flower. My DH just recently bought two gorgeous red geraniums for our patio urns. I have to bring them in on super cold nights, but during the day they make me so happy when I look a them and make things looks less gloomy. For those of you up north you'd have to get an indoor blooming plant.

I also love when snow crab legs are on sale. We will get them steamed and bring them home with a bottle of champagne (Very reasonably priced) or make a nice cheesy fondue. Yum!

Suz - Winter Park has free concerts in the park now and then. They are a lot of fun! Bring a blanket and a cooler with wine and cheese and fruit - nothing is better!

[cronewitch]

I seldom reward myself since I only do what I want to do so don't need a reward. When I want a reward I make it relate to my goal but not sidetrack it. Like for passing the CPA exam my first try I bought myself a boat because while studying I had to cross a bridge and watch the wakes in the sun while I headed for a review class in a basement. A diet goal might mean a new outfit but never mean a food reward. A not spending goal wouldn't be buying something excessive. I might buy an out of season fruit like blueberries in winter as a reward but it is still under $10. When dieting I allow all the healthy fruits and veggies at almost any price so could have all the blueberries or strawberries I wanted. A perfect diet reward would be a bicycle or other exercise type reward.

My reward for quitting smoking is all the flowers I want to buy forever. I quit 30 years ago and couldn't ever spend as much on plants and flowers as I would have spent on cigarettes.

[busymom]

1. Hershey's kisses (yum!)

2. Read a good book

3. Panera bagels (with cream cheese)

After all, I deserve it!

[The J]

Jan 23, 2011 17:30:44 GMT -5 sunshinegal1981 said:

These are all awesome suggestions!! I liked the idea of looking up free/cheap things available in my city.... I just moved to NYC, so there should be no shortage of fun things... just have to find 'em!

Yes.... on the wine/chocolate..... ;-)

GREAT SUGGESTIONS!!! Keep 'em coming... more more more!!!

If you're in NYC, then I'd do something like trying a different local ethnic restaurant -- it will be relatively cheap, and you might discover some place amazing!

[Frugal Nurse]

Hmm... I don't require much "reward". These days DH and I will go out to dinner after I pass a test or finish a semester, but that usually is less than $15 for the both of us (being vegetarian has its financial advantages...) I will also reward myself by reading a book or renting a movie for $1.00 from blockbuster express (or free if there is a code out). I think when I finish LPN- RN school and pass my boards, I will reward us with a nice vacation, but that isn't cheap at all.

[HoneyBBQ]

Rewards for myself:

- I also do the starbucks lattes. Maybe one a month when I'm having a horrific day.
- Go out to dinner with the H to celebrate something
- A new wii game (I try not to buy new releases, but there are actually really good ones for <$20)

I'm pretty lucky in that there's not that much I want. I just received a $7500 bonus, and I can't think of anything to spend it on.

[nalto]

"'m pretty lucky in that there's not that much I want. I just received a $7500 bonus, and I can't think of anything to spend it on."

How about me?

[ca]

Great thread.

I don't usually reward myself on the cheap, I spend a bit to reward myself. But I would say buying a nice dinner, buying a good book, bubble bath, getting nice n drunk, dark chocolate, a massage from a nice spa, a day devoted to vegging on the couch and relaxing with DVDs, a new yankee candle, hmm....those are all cheaper things I would do to reward myself.

If spending money not on the cheap, my reward = vacation!!

[shanendoah]

I don't know how cheap, but I save up for visits to my massage therapist. I no longer have a medical condition that requires treatment (or is paid for by insurance), but I carry a lot of stress in my neck and shoulders, so I save for a 2 hour massage ($110, no tip expected) and schedule it for right after what ever stressful thing I have going on.
When I was going to school full time and working full time, I rewarded myself by getting my homework done early so that we could do things we normally would have done without a thought, like attending a SuperBowl party or spending the afternoon with friends and not having to stress about homework, or attending the Ren Faire.
I still find that a couple of hours spent with good friends is a great reward, even if it's hosting a poker game, playing Rock Band, or hosting a BBQ (often combined with poker game or Rack Band.) Taking the time to go to a friend's house when they are hosting one of the above works, too.

[thyme4change]

I spend a little extra on ingredients and wine and have a nice dinner at home. Usually easier and cheaper than eating out.

[Deleted]

There's a really pretty french bakery near to where I live. For $4 plus tip I get to sit at a table, have unlimited coffee with cream in a real mug, and a fresh baked croissant with jam on a plate while I read the newspaper.

[jeffreymo]

I also reward myself with expensive coffee every now and then - usually on a Friday morning. It's free at work, but doesn't taste very good.

[sarcasticgirl]

i'm a cupcake FREAK! but for obv. reasons i don't eat them on a regular basis. so i make a trip to one of chicago's many cupcake bakeries, pick out a lucious treat and indulge. it's generally around $4 and it's AMAZING!

or, i splurge and buy me favorite cheese. It's a manchego and about $20/pound. combine that with a red i really enjoy that only runs $15 and woohoo! i'm happy.

or... i hit world market and pick up my favorite chocolate in the world... perugina. a few bucks and a few extra calories are totally worth it!

lastly, i LOVE to cook, so i will plan a trip to a local spice market (The Spice House) i can spend an hour browsing the spices. Pick out a few new things to try and plan a new meal with my new spices. It's the gift that keeps on giving!

[dragon2008]

A new book for my kindle - ok, try to limit it to one book. That and a pot of spice tea a friend gave me for Christmas and I'm all set to relax!