Secrets to Self-Care - 5 Tips For Pampering Yourself on a Budget
By Rachel Perry Pellegrini

Have you had one of "those" days lately? The kind of day when everything seems to go wrong. Maybe the cat woke you up early meowing for food or the washing machine stopped working for some unknown reason. The car would not start and your child had the flu. Sometimes it may feel as though you are like a hamster running on a little wheel, running so fast but getting no where. If you are mindful of a family budget but you need some pampering try these easy tips.

Tip #1 Start a Piggy Bank Just For You

Where do you and your spouse put your loose change at the end of the day? Find a jar or buy a piggy bank from the dollar store and start a "Self-Care Fund" just for you. After a few months you will be surprised how much will have been collected. Gather it up and treat yourself.

Tip #2 Give and Receive Gift Certificates for Birthdays and Holidays

Create a new tradition in your family of giving gift certificates. Let your friends and family know that instead of a packaged gift you would prefer a gift certificate to a health centre for a massage, or a facial, etc. Ask them what store they would like their gift card from.

Tip #3 Swim, Work Out, and Enjoy a hot tub at a Local Holiday Inn.

In some cities the Holiday Inn offers a membership to their spa or provides a pass for $5 a visit. This is an excellent and affordable way to get some exercise and relax away from your fast-paced day.

Tip # 4 Walk It Out

Reports have shown that walkers have less risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and many other fatal diseases. Walkers live longer and enjoy mental health and spiritual benefits. Do not let the winter deter you. Bundle up in the cold weather and enjoying a good ½ hour walk at least once a week.

Tip #5 Invest In Your Health

Invest in your health by giving yourself $44 a month to go towards the pampering of your choice. This would be $11 a week or $1.57 a day. Spend it all at once at a masseuse, or choose little things weekly and daily to treat yourself with. You will find when you do this it will make you smile.