by MiLa Driver

Created on: January 10, 2009   Last Updated: July 20, 2011

Everyone's trying to pinch pennies nowadays but that doesn't mean you can't still indulge yourself! It doesn't take a lot of money to pamper yourself and it basically boils down to giving yourself the gift of time. Make it a point to actively plan carving out a significant chunk of time to catch up on some TLC you so deserve!

PICK A TIME
It may sound silly, but if you consciously pick out a day and time to pamper yourself, you will be more likely to follow through with your plan. Tell your friends and family that you will be unavailable during this time. Write it in capital letters on a sticky note and post it on the fridge with an obnoxiously happy smiley face. Leave a message on your cell phone cheerily stating that you are in the process of rejuvenating yourself and will be happy to return their call only after you have thoroughly completed the process. If you have small children, make arrangements to have them babysat at someone else's home. Offer to return the favor.

BE PREPARED
Decide what you want to do for yourself. You don't necessarily need to sit down and write a list of things to buy for your special time unless that's the way you prefer to do things. Writing a list might help make it more concrete, but there's also nothing wrong with keeping your options open and simply walking into your corner drug store for supplies. Maybe you prefer to look around your home first to see what supplies you already have on hand. Either way, you know what works best for you. Don't think too much about how to do it, just know how you will prepare.

MANICURE
One thing that always makes you feel renewed is having a manicure. You might not be talented enough to give yourself a French manicure, but we can all swipe a nail polish brush across our nail bed for a touch of color or a bit of shine. Soak your fingertips in warm, soapy water for a few minutes to soften your cuticles. Rub some olive oil on your nails and your cuticles to soften them enough to gently push them back using your other hand. Wipe with a warm, moist towel. Add polish. Let dry. Moisturize and massage your hands. Sigh and admire.

PEDICURE
Having a pedicure also makes you feel lovely even if no one else can admire your toes. Follow the same procedure as with a manicure to give your feet the same polished, well-kept look as your hands Think about investing a few dollars on one of those egg-shaped devices for the bottom of your feet to soften and get rid of rough, dry spots. It doesn't matter if your feet stay covered up during the colder months as long as you know that underneath your hose or heavy socks, your toes are cute and your feet are smooth.

MOVIES
You never get to watch the movies you want either because you don't have enough time or no one wants to watch with you. Well nows the time to go grab two or three movies, pop some popcorn, and pour yourself a tall, cold, refreshing glass of soda or grab a bottle of wine or your favorite beer! Hey, there are NO rules here! Do what you want. The only person you have to please is yourself. Grab your favorite robe, fluff your pillows, and settle in for a few hours of mindless, self-indulgent gratification. You know you deserve it!

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