7 Ways to Treat Yourself Under $10

I am a firm believer in rewarding yourself for anything from 'finishing a PhD after six years' to 'waking up and getting dressed.' It's just good for morale, after all. I really enjoy getting things done, and get quite a rush simply from crossing items off my to-do list, but sometimes you really need that extra lift that only comes from a treat-yoself break! Because I prefer to save my money for buying far too many dresses, I like to keep these treats on the inexpensive side (no facials for me, sadly!), and today I'm going to share my top seven ways to recharge my batteries for under $10.

1) Starbucks and Chill

This is actually a regular part of my weekly routine, since 1) I like routines and 2) it helps to motivate me to go to the gym on Sundays. Each week, I head to Starbucks on my way home from the gym for my favorite Sunday breakfast: a chocolate croissant and a green tea latte. I sit with my breakfast and read whatever strikes my fancy until I feel like heading home, and it's glorious. There's something about the combination of Delicious Things and taking my time that makes me feel nice and relaxed.

Total cost: $7.50.

2) Binge-rewatch an old fave

This one is pretty self-explanatory: pick a favorite show and watch as many episodes as you feel like. I particularly like watching something I've already seen, because I find familiar things to be extra comforting. My top choices? Game of Thrones, old instructional cooking shows I've DVRed, and the 1995 Pride and Prejudice miniseries. Colin Firth's Darcy got me through many a stressful period of my graduate career!

Total cost: free (well, if you own the DVDs and already pay for cable. If not, just hit up the library!.)

3) Eat a donut!

Now, on its face, this might look very similar to my Starbucks idea, but let me assure you, they're totally different. For one thing, the other plan involves caffeine. More importantly, to properly execute this donut plan, you have to get yourself into the right frame of mind. To properly enjoy a donut, you have to see it as a treat you've earned and a delightful thing, rather than some sort of dietary sin that you'll pay for later. I'm not gonna be so bold as to claim that donuts can be self-care, but... um, I guess I am claiming that. If you can get out of the toxic habit of seeing certain foods as bad, and fearing the occasional empty-calorie-fest, you'll be able to truly enjoy this idea. Self-acceptance and body-positivity make any indulgence sweeter!

Cost: under $4.

4) Dinner a la Trader Joe's

This is hands-down my favorite lazy-person meal. I grab two packages of frozen appetizers from Trader Joe's (my faves are the spanakopita triangles and the mac and cheese bites), pop them in the oven, and out comes dinner in less than 25 minutes. The best part: no dishes to wash!

Total cost: ~$9.

5) Take a bubble bath!

Leave your phone in a nice dry place, grab a good book, pop in a bath bomb, and you're in business! Rubber ducky optional.

Total cost: $5-7.

6) Bread and cheese night

Pictured: the $20 version of this idea.

Since I'm pregnant and can't have my customary wine on cheese-for-dinner nights, this lovely, decadent, easy meal clocks in under the $10 mark, even though I'm now able to eat the entire baguette on my own. One wedge of Cambozola cheese + a sourdough baguette = instant party in my belly, followed by a cheese-induced food coma of bliss.

Total cost: $9.75.

7) Spend a few hours window-shopping

While I love getting new clothes more than anyone probably should, I also really have a blast just spending a few hours trying on loads of clothes in a bunch of different stores. The boost it gives me is similar to the lift I get from reorganizing my closet, but it's extra exciting to try out new styles, see what I'd like to add to my wishlist, and potentially buy a cookie from the nearest Mrs. Fields.

Total cost: $3 for optional cookie.

So those are my favorite ways to unwind, treat myself, and recharge on the cheap! What are your go-to indulgences?

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