Spend Money and Invest In Yourself
How do you invest in yourself? When it came to how I spent my money, I never considered googling "what are ways to invest in yourself" but if I did I would of saved a lot money way sooner.
Would you believe me if I said that every year the average American spends a whopping $2,388 on items to treat themselves?
Join me in a money awareness task.
Pull out your calculator and do a quick mental inventory of everything you spend money on that isn't a a bill or going toward your savings.
I started thinking of how many times I got my hair, eyebrows, and nails done last year.
When the number on the screen flashed with $808, I stopped adding.
Keep in mind this didn't include Ubers to school, clothes bought as the seasons shifted, and trips out to eat.
If you found that your number was less than mine then good job. You're already spending smartly, now we just need to make sure that you are still investing in yourself enough.
If you're more on the higher end, then keep reading because not only will you gain inspiration for spending less but you'll even see new ways to experience self-care.
Keep reading to find out 6 new ways to invest in yourself from home!
Related Post: This is why you can't save money
Psst: This post may contain affiliate links and every purchase helps to support BlissfulWallet!
#1- The Gym
When the Gym closed temporarily I canceled my membership, invested in some gym equipment, and made my room my workout center.
Examples of equipment to purchase
These Resistance Exercise Bands were great for working out my glutei and building leg strength.
What better way to invest in yourself than to invest in your health?
Resistance Bands
Resistance bands are easy to use and can be incorporated into any workout routine. When you grab the handles and place one foot on the center on the rope you can control how much tension the rope has.
The more tension the lighter the harder the work out and vise versa. Investing in yourself includes buying equipment that can be used as you grow in form, technique, and skill.
For only $9.99 you can get a rope that will last you for a ton of workouts of different intensities.
Invest in your health
This starter kit can help you get a full body work out. My ideal at home gym would have a treadmill but with the one I want costing at least $800 an unexpected large purchases wasn't part of the plans.
Investing in yourself is the equivalent of investing in your health because you learn how to give your body what it wants.
Solution= squats, jumping rope, lunges and running in place. Price= free
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#2 Hair
When I got my hair braided for the first time it was phenomenal.. and expensive. $180 later my wallet was coughing up dust.
How you can do your own hair as a form of investing in yourself depends on your time frame.
Ask yourself "can you wait a few days"
If you're reading this the day before you go to work then chances are you'll be running to your local beauty supply store.
If you can wait for delivery then check out Amazon or Alliexpress.
I spent $30 on 6 packs of hair and kept it in for 3 weeks. If you guys are familiar with purchasing hair then you know that one pack alone of Xpression braiding hair can easily run you $6.99.
I also hopped on Amazon and found cost friendly braiding hair to recreate passion twist.
Amazon sells a 7 pack of passion twist extension/braiding hair for less than $40. Getting this done professionally could cost up to $200 depending who does it. This braiding hair was bouncy, shiny, and didn't get tangled in my hair when it was time to take it out.
There are a ton of styles you can do, simply go on YouTube.
Budgeting is not about depriving yourself of things you like, it's about having them in moderation.
When I use The No-Budget - Budget it means I have saved, invested, and paid my bills so everything that's left over is mine to spend.
#3 Eye Brows
Before I started college I would get my eyebrows done every 2 weeks. I was able to decrease this to once every few months and now to never.
Use a razor
In the beginning I only used a razor to shape the top of my eyebrows. This allowed for the illusion of groomed brows without all the fuss.
Use hair remover cream
I used the Nair Hair Remover and it kept the hair away for about 3 weeks. Not only was I hairless for a longer period of time, but on average I could save $168 per year by doing this. After I use my face cream all I do after is apply aloe vera gel or a baby oil to soothe my skin. My brows always look good as new.
Close to two years later, I still haven't paid someone to do my eyebrows and they honestly look better than they have in a several years of getting them threaded professionally.
Right now you can find is for under $4 on Amazon. When I rushed to purchase mine I spent way over what Amazon is charing.
Your desired lifestyle can include finding ways to afford all of the things you like in life without going broke in the process.
Related post: How to know if you need a lifestyle shift
#4- Teeth Whitening
I was slightly obsessed with my teeth. I used strips, fancy toothpaste that tasted like coconut and rubbing alcohol, charcoal, and amongst other things, a light that was suppose to dramatically whiten.
You name it, I tried it.
Ironically, brushing my teeth at least 3 times a day with Colgate Baking Soda and Peroxide whitening Toothpaste worked the best.
If you guys follow me on IG @Blissfulwallet every now and then you'll catch a glance of me smiling. Once I got braces, my confidence changed for the better and now I take pleasure in finding new whitening products.
When you look good you definitely feel better.
When you invest in yourself through dental hygiene especially for cheap, you start to believe you can take on the world.
#5- Nails
This is by far the most exciting and unexpected investment I have made. My favorite nail artist can be seen doing nails here
She’s amazing and while everything was shut down her skills were off limits. She showed me professionalism that I never experienced. PLUS my nails lasted me for a month. Enticing memories and she inspired me to learn how to do nails.
I spent hours watching videos and looking at pictures for guidance.
The end result you can read about here: How to do acrylic nails for cheap
I believe one of the best ways to invest in yourself is to find ways to do the things that bring you joy
#6 Pedicures
You can find tools on Amazon or in your local Beauty Supply store for cheap. I prefer Amazon because you can search around and actually see if what you're buying is because you want it or because it;'s all that is offered.
When buying gel nail polish you want to pick colors that feel right to you and has good reviews on any website. Buying a poor quality product defeats the purpose of investing in yourself to save more money.
I bought the beautiful shades of pink and red below but the company discontinued the colors. You can buy the same gel polish brand as I did in exchange for less red pigments.
These colors were a nice introduction to gel polish because they weren't overly thick and the colors were true to the imagery.
Since I originally bought this kit, I've ran out of two shades of pink and with my collection growing I can't wait to see what other shades I find.
With a gel nail polish kit you will need a base coat and a top coat. I used the GELLEN top and base coat polish and it helped my nail polish to last a longer time.
The reviews were good, and more than a year later I still have some of this product left because a lot goes a long way. It doesn't have a strong smell and the base coat helps the polish to adhere to your nail.
When I run out this will for sure be the top coat and base coat that I use as I continue to practice doing nails.
A UV lamp is essential if you want to do gel polish nails long term. One of the reasons why people love to use gel polish is because it does not chip as easy. If your lamp does not set your nails properly it will be the same as using a regular nail polish.
In addition if I wanted to do the nails of my friends or family then I wanted to be able to give them a quality experience. I bought the SunUV 48w UV lamp and believe me when I say that this machine is MAGICAL. It dries gel polish with a nice finish, doesn't burn my fingers if I get polish on my skin and has lasted me through countless manicures, pedicures, and full sets.
The price fluctuates but right now you can buy this UV Lamp on sale.
I find that ordering online won't always save you money, since the prices are the same as in store, but the quality it better.
You'd rather spend $10 on something that can last over a year and wait for delivery than rush, ultimately lose money in the long run. Invest in yourself and find a way to save money on things you love!
#7 Waxing - Veet Sugar Wax Hair Remover
Before you cringe and turn away, hear me out. I purchased a sugar wax that was designed for first time wax users.
Using this sugar wax actually did not hurt. Once you do the initial application and get enough nerve to whip it off, you will feel so much better. Not only is the skin smooth to the touch with just a small section missing, but you can now confidently keep waxing!
This small purchase saved me a potential $83 dollars every 6 weeks.
Alternative to waxing
1.Razor and soap.
2. Laser Hair Removal
All year round the Groupon app offers discounts on spa treatments.
Laser hair remover is a more expensive solution but it allows you to stop buying any of the other hair removing methods.
Removal creams are cheaper but you want to be careful if you have sensitive skin. My favorite hair remover for my own sensitive skin is the Veet Hair Removal Cream.
It doesn't sting when you take it off and it also decreases ingrown hairs. You can place the cream on and continue to wash your hair or another part of your body and before you know it you have silky smooth skin.
10/10 I recommend Veet Hair Removal Cream.
If you spend money on ointment because it gave you a rash, you did not spend efficiently.
Related post: How to save money when you're broke
Conclusion
Budgeting does not mean you can't buy things that bring you boy. Bring the services you love into your house and save money in the longterm. We're boosting our skill level and making the most of a situation where spending $40 on nails is not an option.
We're being smart and savvy about our self care.
Even a $0.99 polish, can make you feel prepared for another week.
If you're not ready to part ways with all of the expenses mentioned, then start with one. Leave guilt behind and say hello to a new journey of self indulging.
Let us know in the comments what ways you plan to invest in yourself!
