Spoil Yourself Even When Unemployed

Are you used to treating yourself to some of the finer things in life? Avoid a lapse into luxury that sabotages your financial situation. Budget a small stipend to curb your self-soothing cravings and stop emotionally triggered spending sprees before they start.

However, just because you’re out of work and tight on cash doesn’t mean you should stop pampering yourself altogether. It’s important to take some you time and indulge in a couple of guilty pleasures despite your job status.

The chance to coddle your subconscious with cash won’t present itself as often when you’re out of work. The opportunity to participate in a purely selfish pursuit is even more endearing. When you have fewer chances to partake in your preferred peace infused pastime you tend to savor the experiences even more than if it were a regular part of your routine.

Spoiling yourself is not so expensive if you put in a little more effort on your part. Men and women both, try these tricks to keep your wallet and inner diva in balance:

Coffee!! Coffee!! Coffee!! - As a recovering coffee shop junkie I’m almost ashamed to admit how much I used to spend on custom caffeine. We’ll just say in a year it probably topped the expenses of a pack-a-day smoker. When I stumbled across an inexpensive espresso maker at a close out store, I started experimenting with making my own drinks at home. Even if you don’t want to do anything extra fancy it doesn’t hurt to add a dollop of whipped cream to the top of your morning brew to make it just a little more special.

Manicures are a Must – Even if nail care isn’t exactly your thing, well manicured hands are very valuable when looking for a job. Neat trim nails, smooth palms, and a firm handshake say a lot about a person to an employer so if you have to cough up the cash on some basic finicky finger services don’t feel too bad. Watch what the manicurist does and a few how to videos online and your will be able to do your own nails in no time. It’s summer time so if you’re planning on wearing any open toed shoe following up with a pedicure is probably a good idea.

Media Junkie –You might not be able to sit down and flip through a thousand channels of the same shows over and over again but you can cut your cable bill and still stay on top of your regularly scheduled programs with streaming services on the internet and gaming consoles all for next to nothing. You can also make it a movie night with a couple of bucks and a trip to the Redbox.

Muncha!! Muncha!! Muncha!! – Don’t stop dining out just don’t do it for every meal. In my family we make it a must to go out to eat at least once a month at a sit down restaurant. We try to schedule it on a night when no one has the time or interest to cook and clean as part of the dinner process. Using it as an experience to come together as a family and learn about new places and cultures depending on the cuisine we choose, dining out can feel like a mini vacation from life’s daily stressors.

Remember that moderation is what will keep you from getting in over your head. Spoil yourself just enough to be effective for blowing off steam or building up confidence.