All the Bling, Without the Cha-Ching

As you well know, the economy is weak right now. Few people are going out and buying new luxury items, as prices are still high and jobs and wages are low.

So how can you live a life that feels luxurious without the high price tag? Here are a few tips to add some shine to your life.

1. Polish up your wedding ring. When Hubs picked out my wedding ring, it came with a lifetime warranty...as long as you bring it in every 6 months to be inspected and cleaned. I had heard horror stories of jewelers switching out people's center stone diamonds to lower grade stones during these "inspections." While I don't know how true those stories were, they scared me enough to let my warranty go. One sad outcome of this is too often a dirty ring. One way to get that ring, or really any diamond or hard stone jewelry (NOT fragile stones or pearls), super shiny again is to soak it in Windex for at least 15 minutes. Take a soft toothbrush and gently scrub the ring, making sure to get in all the cracks and crevices. Rinse with warm water and dry with a lint-free rag. Then, to really add some shine, get one of those Gold Polishing Cloths from Walmart for a couple bucks. Use the white side first to remove any remaining dirt and streaks, then polish with the purple side of the cloth. This last step really adds a whole new sparkle to the ring. This cleaning process will really make your jewelry look and feel a new piece again.
   


2. Check out consignment stores. Consignment stores are a great place to find rock bottom prices on nice clothing. The other day I picked up an ocean-blue 100% silk skirt worth over $150 with the price tag still attached. How much did I pay? $5.00.
   


3. Don't be afraid to be patient. I have noticed that a lot of times right after I buy something in a rush, it goes on sale somewhere else for even cheaper. This is incredibly frustrating. Just remember that patience and shopping around for the lowest price pays off in the end.
   


4. Don't look if you don't need it. How many times have you gone "window shopping" on used car websites such as Car Max or even craigslist and found something for such and awesome price that you just have to have it? But wait, do you really need it? Or do you just want it because you found it for a low price? Remember, there will always be steal-deals on things like used cars, so if you don't need it don't even tempt yourself by looking.
   


5. Give your home a makeover. Change little things about your rooms: rearrange the furniture, buy a new lamp or curtains, buy a new color of hand towels for your bathroom. You may be suprised by how much just moving a few things around and adding a new color or item can completely change a room. You can also look for neat things like stick-on wall decor online. They are a super cute and very cheap way to dress up your walls.



6. Detail your car when you get that "new car itch." Professional car detailing is a lot cheaper than buying a new car and often gives you that same feeling...without the car payments.

How do you "stimulate" your life when finances are tight?