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You know how promising your kids a treat is a foolproof way to get them on their best behavior? Bribery is a powerful parenting tool, for sure, but think about it- everyone performs better with a little bit of indulgence. You know, a little something that makes us feel special. And that applies to grown-ups, too.

We all deserve a treat once in a while. Diamonds or a week at a resort would be nice, but not necessarily in the budget. Sometimes even a new pair of shoes isn’t in the cards, but there are plenty of pretty nice treats that don’t cost very much. And if no one else is promising you a treat (one of the “perks” of adulthood- lol!) just go ahead and treat yourself. Here are 13 inexpensive ways to treat yourself:

1. Fresh flowers. This is one of my favorite little indulgences. Few things brighten up a room like fresh flowers, and a bouquet should last about a week and doesn’t have to cost that much. Put a bunch in your bedroom, your living room, even your bathroom!
2. Take a bath. Not just any bath- a bubble bath, or a special bath with bath salts or essential oils. Lock the door, put on some music, and just relax!
3. Fancy hand soap. A little bit of luxury goes a long way here. Sure, a fancy bottle of soap can cost as much as eight times what you would pay for the basics, but you can still get it for under $10. And the bottle looks so nice! Choose a scent that you love and experience the luxury every time you wash your hands.
4. Nice smelling lotion. Just like the hand soap, for a relatively small price you get a lot of indulgence. Make your skin feel pampered and enjoy the scent every time you use it.
5. Infused water. All you need for this is a pitcher (or water bottle if you want it on the go) and some fruit or herbs. Fill a pitcher or bottle with water and the fruit of your choice. This treat will make you feel like you’re at a spa, plus you get the health benefit of staying hydrated.
6. Chocolate. Go out and buy a gift box of your favorite chocolate. For yourself. And don’t share!
7. Ice cream. Ice cream is a no-fail treat for kids and you’re never too old for it to work for you! Get your favorite- with all the extras- and enjoy every lick!
8. Mani-pedi. You can always polish your own nails, but that’s not really a treat. And if you’re home you’ll probably get caught up in some chores before the polish has time to dry. Many salons have mani-pedi specials for about $20, which is a great deal, because you’ll enjoy the results for a long time and you’re forced to relax for about an hour!
9. Movie. Take a few hours and escape at the movies. Go alone if you want to, or with someone who makes you happy if you’re in the mood for company.
10. Popcorn and TV. It’s like #9 except you don’t have to leave the house! Get into pj’s, make some popcorn, and binge on an entire season of your favorite show.
11. Sleep. Sleep in late in the morning, or be really indulgent and take an afternoon nap!
12. Read a book. Buy a book, or borrow one from a friend or the library, and carve out some time to enjoy it.
13. Buy some magazines. Spend a few bucks and buy a shiny stack of your favorites. Then spend an hour catching up on whatever is your magazine indulgence. The latest celebrity gossip, fashion trends, home design, or cooking all work for me.
14. Meditate. Here’s another one where a little goes a long way. It’s much better when meditation can be a regular part of your routine, but even a little bit whenever you can will help you feel relaxed and centered, and ready to be your best self.

Expensive treats have their place, but they’re certainly not the only kind. Use this list to get started when you need a treat but can’t spend a lot, but don’t limit yourself to it. The possibilities are endless, so treat yourself often!

How do you treat yourself without breaking your budget? Share your ideas on Facebook and Twitter!

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