How to enjoy life's little luxuries for less
When the going gets tough, the tough go get a massage.
Life's little luxuries are what keep many of us refreshed and relaxed when the stressors of work and home leave us frazzled. From bottomless-mimosa brunch to a day at the spa, everybody needs a little pampering every now and then.
For the shopaholic
Few things will dig into your "miscellaneous" monthly budget as much as a stroll through your favorite department store will. For household products and some major fashion labels, nothing beats Amazon Prime. The free shipping and discounted prices for Prime goods are more than worth the cost of the annual subscription. Gilt, Ideel and invite-only RueLaLa are three more fashion-focused sites that are tried-and-true fan favorites for luxury apparel and accessories.And though it's by no means new to the game, Rent the Runway continues to be a great source for fashionistas who love high-end labels but don't have the dough to drop $2,000 on a gown for a one-night black-tie event. In addition to the online site, Rent the Runway has brick-and-mortar stores in Chicago, New York, Las Vegas and Washington, D.C. where you can book an appointment to try on luxury labels and see how they fit IRL. New customers can currently enjoy $25 off their first order of $75 or more when they join online.
In addition to the sites and programs listed above, it's often worth the extra inbox clutter to sign up for your favorite labels' online newsletters; they'll typically offer "flash sales" or special discounts and offers to customers who subscribe. Shop It To Me's daily "Salemail" is another worthwhile inbox addition: The newsletter offers deals based on customizable size, style and brand preferences.
For the foodie
Subscription services have become increasingly popular in recent years, and from beauty products to playthings for your pup, there's seemingly a subscription box for everything. So naturally, there's a whole slew of these services that appeal to fine-dining aficionados.For foodies who simply can't afford a daily jar of caviar or a last-minute trip to Paris, you're in luck: Try The World is a new service that sends a box of fine delicacies from all around the globe to your doorstep once every two months. Each box contains foodstuffs from a specific country, curated by one of the region's celebrated chefs — and the price point is much more affordable than that of an international flight: It's $39 for a two-month subscription (one box) or $198 for a whole year (six boxes).
For sommeliers, or wannabe sommeliers, Club W is a similar service for wine. Create your "Palate Profile" online, and you'll receive a curated monthly shipment specific to your taste preferences. The subscription starts at just $13 per bottle and can be canceled at any time, or, if your budget is especially tight, you can skip a month whenever you want.
For the socialite/jetsetter
Need a vacay? For the traveler open to a loose itinerary, there are a number of options for saving on travel costs.One little-known trick that can help you save on international travel is to visit an airline's home-country website to browse and book flights. For example, visiting the UK version of the British Airways website to browse flights from JFK to London may miraculously yield lower flight prices (after exchange rates) than booking through the U.S.-based site. Here's a guide on how to do this quickly and easily. In addition, signing up for email price alerts via Kayak lets you know when the best deals become available for specific locations.
And once you've landed in your destination, apps such as Like a Local, Eventbrite and the NYC-specific, "personal concierge" site Pulsd can make your travel and social plans more affordable, with offers on everything from Sunday brunch to guided city tours and quirky local events.
For managing stress
Sometimes all you need in life is a mani/pedi to get your nerves in check, but the bills associated with such luxuries can be enough to make your stress levels skyrocket all over again.That's where services like Lifebooker come in handy: The Groupon-esque deals site for health and beauty treatments such as haircuts, blow-outs, yoga classes, massages and more is currently available in 25 major U.S. cities. For style tips, the company's Tumblr has some unique, quality content regarding beauty trends and the latest haute looks.
Image: Flickr, Unique Hotels
And while not everyone considers a gym membership a "luxury," for those who get their daily dose of decompression via spin class (but hate paying about $35 per session), ClassPass is a solid option that lets subscribers experiment with various studios and gyms around town for just $79 to $99 per month — about half the cost of an Equinox membership. Pro tip: Pair workouts with free, guided meditation from Headspace for maximum peace of mind.
Lastly, for bookworms who find nothing more relaxing than curling up with a good book, it's worth looking into your local bookstore's loyalty rewards programs and bargain sections. Barnes and Noble, for example, devotes a section of its website to deals of up to 85% off.
Luxury doesn't have to be synonymous with outrageous expense; savvy spending — and being in-the-know about the apps and services above — can help you save on well-deserved splurge items.
