It’s no secret that it’s tough out there. All it takes is a glance at the news or a stroll through a supermarket to see how much it costs to exist on our planet in its current state.
But if you have consumed any kind of media in the last year, it kind of feels like we’re running in circles screaming “the rising cost of living!” with no solution, while the rental market soars and fuel scrapes nearly $2 a litre. In an incredibly optimistic (in this case, synonym: unrealistic) fashion, I find myself dreaming that there will be some polar opposite financial crisis where we all suddenly get unprecedented value from our humble dollar and become millionaires. But until that happens, we still all deserve to feel like one sometimes.
We put out a survey to see how our readers felt about the current cost of living and found majority struggle with the economic climate –things like groceries, rent and bills are first in line, leaving “treating yourself” on the backburner. But honestly, life’s short, and we think you should really be able to have both. So, welcome: “Boujee on a budget”.
Here are some easy ways to feel fancy without spiralling into a world of debt.
Think Thrifting
Thrifting is more than just budget-friendly shopping. It’s a fun activity that can be aptly listed alongside your other hobbies. You never know what you’re going to find, and a lot of the time you’ll stumble upon at least one cool thing that’s a quality brand, or at least has a quality story.
Every piece of furniture in my house is from Facebook Marketplace. And the best part? 90% of it was free. This might sound crazy, but it’s really not that difficult to source these kinds of steals. If someone’s moving house, they generally want to get rid of things quickly, and if it’s not free, it’s likely cheap, or at least below market value. In my experience, funky furniture is found on Marketplace and better-quality clothing usually lives in the Depop world.
Buying second-hand is two birds, one stone energy: you can snag the sickest vintage Reebok jacket and still scrape above your budget for the week. Winning.
Shop Smart
One of my favourite things to do regardless of bank account figures is to find supermarket bargains. And it may be a surefire sign of getting old but securing a half-price packet of salmon is quite the adrenaline rush. Keep your eye out for those reduced stickers – majority of the time, the products are just fine!
Also just generally seeking out cheaper product alternatives or shopping in season helps heaps. For example, I love strawberries. But at $8 a punnet in the middle of winter … no I don’t. Opting for watermelon instead has given me the same deliciousness that lasts way longer, and leaves 80% of my cash to spare. A swap doesn’t have to be a sacrifice. You can have your fruit and eat it too!
Side note: Now, we don’t endorse stealing, of course. Even from supermarket giants. However, we did get some responses on our survey that suggested some people have noticed that avocados do look suspiciously like apples at the self-serve checkouts. Take what you will from that.
Make it a Night In
If you want to have a nice dinner or a girls’ night out, why not transfer that to a girls’ night in?
Yes, groceries are one of the biggest expenses (as said by almost 90% of people on our survey!) but hear me out. Your dinner-party era doesn’t have to blow the budget. Set a scene where everyone contributes, so costs are split between people. Each person brings a dish, or even an ingredient, and make the night a collaborative effort. Perhaps even come up with a theme, like Mediterranean inspired, or designate your guests a different colour to base their dish around. This adds an element of creativity that you won’t find in a boujee restaurant; plus, you can make some absolutely stunning meals and even better memories, all the while wearing your trackies and Uggs if you feel like it.
Dabble in the Dupes
It’s no secret that everyone loves the boujee brands. But we obviously can’t always afford them which is why dupes are a budget girly’s best friend and great alternative to making you feel boujee, without breaking the bank.
Brands like Nostalgia and MCoBeauty are my personal faves for a hybrid of quality and cost-effectiveness. Because while you want to be frugal, you still want quality.
(psst… MCoBeauty also frequently has 50% off sales at Woolworths every few weeks. Never buy full price!)
Skip the Salon
Sometimes, you’ve gotta be your own beautician. Want a facial? Do a $10 face mask. Need to get your nails done? Companies like Glowie and Instant Mani Co offer quality press-ons in the comfort of your own home. Sure, it may not be the hand massage, cuticle oil and side-eyed insults from your favourite nail lady. But it’s the next best thing. And you feel pretty damn satisfied with yourself after (maybe just don’t quit your day job).
Not keen on being your own beautician? That’s okay! Another tip is finding people who are newly established or working towards a certification. Example: I had a friend studying to be a beautician who would give me $20 brown laminations because she was training. $20! And the quality was fantastic! She then used the photos for her portfolio, and I walked away with perfectly shaped and lifted brows. A win-win.
Strategically Source Your Sales
Okay, this kind of ties into “shopping smarter”, but we’re talking when you need a trusty pair of denim jeans, and you just can’t compromise on quality. Sales are where it’s at. But the key is to not get carried away. One of my best friends has a rule where she budgets in one treat per week, and it’s usually on sale. Last week it was a quality bomber jacket at 30% off. The week before, some Adidas Sambas secured with half Flybuys points. There’s a fine line between sale and splurge – don’t get roped in by every red sticker!
Pick up Points
It might seem like just another way for big supermarkets to scam every dollar they can, but let’s face it … we’re all spending money anyway. So, you might as well rack up some points while you get your toilet paper. Although shopping at local markets and independent fruit and veg stores is the most ideal outcome, it’s not always possible. Points from systems like Flybuys and Woolworths Rewards have bought my entire weekly groceries some weeks. It takes 0.5 seconds to tap your card and rack up some freebies– what’s to lose?
Fancy Events, but Free
Wanna get dressed up? Time to source out some local events. Honestly, you’d be surprised what’s going on in your town, and this is advantageous for so many reasons. Pop-up events like art exhibition openings or promotional product launches are a great excuse to get dressed up, learn about certain businesses, engage in an activity you usually wouldn’t and have a boujee-esque evening without draining the debit card. Plus, if you’re lucky, they might even have free bubbles …
In conclusion, it’s not always going to be so hard. But when the pay slip is a few digits short of the ideal, hopefully, these tips help. Remember you’re not alone in the constant struggle of balancing living with lifestyle and while sticking to a budget is important, sometimes, you do have to treat yourself. Get the shoes girl.
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