It’s important to enjoy life and sometimes, you just need a low-cost treat!
We try to keep our expenses low and savings and investments high. Eating out only happens a few times a week. We’d rather save up our money for vacations and activities than constantly cruise the drive-thru.
But sometimes, we just need a treat! Throw off the regular routine. Do something different. Celebrate the small wins. Or comfort the small annoyances.
Here are some of our favorite low-cost treats to mix things up and bring a smile to our day:
Enjoy Life- Have a Picnic Outside
My 9-year-old, Jelly Bean, loves picnics. Eating outside with the opportunity to run on the playground between bites is her idea of the perfect meal.
On days when we have a crazy schedule with back-to-back classes in different locations, a picnic lunch can be just the treat we need.
If we’ve got an hour or so between classes, I’ll pack some crackers, lunch meat, and cut fruits then find a park and enjoy a picnic.
We all get fed, the kids get to burn off some energy, and we get a mental break from the regular routine.
This can be an awesome opportunity for people who are stuck working all week in offices as well. Back when I worked in an office, I would pack my lunch and walk to the park up the street to watch the birds and get some fresh air and sunshine. A quick run around the playground is a great way to burn energy as an adult too.
Low-Cost Treats- Make A Custom Drink At Home
I love beverages. Not necessarily alcoholic beverages, that would be a totally different daytime treat. I mean, I love to have a special drink in my hand throughout, it makes me feel fancy.
In order to stay healthy and low-cost, I usually make my own “custom drinks:”
-Flavored soda water with frozen fruits
-Iced tea with frozen berries
-Hot coffee or Crio Bru with syrup flavors
Pretty much, take any “boring drink” and add some frozen fruit or syrup flavors in a fancy cup. It makes me smile every time I reach for it and costs just pennies. And the kids love them too!
Low-Cost Treats- Go Out For A “Drink”
So many personal finance gurus attack the daily latte. It’s true, you can totally save money by making your morning brew or smoothie at home. And if your budget is really tight, it’s probably a good idea to skip the cafe and buy a pound of ground coffee and a coffee pot or frozen fruit and a blender. But it all depends on your priorities. (Build a Budget That Fits Your Life)
I usually make my special drinks at home because it is so much easier and less expensive. But sometimes, I just want something made FOR me.
Once a week or so, the kids and I “go out for drinks.” It’s less costly than a full meal out but still a treat that we can all enjoy.
Two of our favorite drinks are bubble tea and Jamba Juice. As a non-dairy family, we often get plant-based options with lots of fresh fruit.
One of the best tricks for keeping costs and calories down when “getting drinks” with kids is ordering a large and having it split into two cups. I’ve been doing this since my two were small; less cost, less waste, and they still eat their dinner when we get home. Win-win-win!
Enjoy Life- Break Your Routine and Plan a Day or Half-Day Trip
Treats, to me, are breaking from routine to do something fun that we don’t normally get to do.
Gretchen Reuben often discusses in her “Happiness Project” how she enjoys visiting the local museum in her neighborhood. In order to up her “happiness level” she decided to make a point to go to the museum almost every day. It was a little treat in her day.
While visiting a museum every day would quickly lose its effect on me, I do love the idea of taking the occasional day or half-day trip.
Here in Hawaii, that often includes heading to the beach for the afternoon. Maybe you have a lake or river nearby.
Or driving to a neighboring town to check out their museums, tourist attractions, or activities.
Just anything to break away from your everyday routine to do something special that doesn’t cost a lot of money. (Make Your Life A Vacation)
Enjoy Life- Plan a “Do-Nothing” Day
With work, school, weekend sports, chores, and everything else that life throws at us, sometimes it is nice to just have a “Do-Nothing” day.
After a super busy few weeks, we love to plan a Do-Nothing day. Sleep in late, eat super simple meals or simply warm up leftovers, and plan to do nothing.
Cuddle up on the couch to play video games, watch movies, read a book, build legos, or do whatever you find relaxing. Give yourself and your family the okay to take a mental and physical break for the day.
Dishes and laundry can be done tomorrow. Enjoy a break today. (or whenever your “Do-Nothing” day is)
Wrap-Up
Including little treats in your life is so important for your well-being. That little dopamine hit can last for hours or days, making life more enjoyable.
So many people worry that saving money or paying off debt requires huge sacrifices. While building your financial base is super important, it is also equally important to squeeze in those enjoyable treats here and there to make the journey worth it.
What type of budget-friendly treats do you incorporate into your life? Leave a comment below and join the conversation.
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