How Changing My Self-Care Routine Will Save Me More Than $400 per Year

Investing in your self-care can be worth it. We all deserve some pampering from time to time. One self-care expense that I treat myself to regularly is professional manicures. I've been going to the same luxury nail salon for over two years. Over time, the prices have continued to climb. But that doesn't mean I'm ready to give up my high-end manicures. Here are the changes I'm making to prioritize this self-care expense without getting into credit card debt.

Self-care is a priority for me

After covering must-pay bills like my mortgage and utilities, much of my monthly income goes towards personal finance goals like investing and saving. But I'm also willing to spend a good amount of money on products and services that improve my well-being.

For me, self-care is a worthwhile investment. Since I want to feel like the best possible version of myself, I prioritize self-care expenses and include them in my monthly budget. That's why I pay to get professional manicures regularly.

Many people fear budgeting because they worry they can't continue paying for the things that bring them joy. However, that's not the case. In addition to budgeting for necessary costs like rent, utilities, insurance, and groceries, you can also plan for other expenses.

Examples of fun budgeting categories include self-care, travel, entertainment costs, or nights out with friends. As long as you're making solid choices that don't worsen your financial situation, it's more than all right to budget for non-essential costs that make you happy. After all, life is for living.

This change will save me hundreds in 2024

I previously mentioned that I've been a loyal customer at my go-to salon for a long time. During the last two years, service prices have increased. It's worth mentioning that I go to a luxury salon, not a typical quick-service salon, where you're in and out and on with your day.

The manicurists at the luxury salon I visit have extensive experience and only use high-quality products. Additionally, the salon specializes in hand-drawn nail art, a skill that costs more. As you might imagine, getting your nails done regularly at a salon like this is not cheap.

I've been paying around $110 (including gratuity) when getting my nails done. I'm on a set schedule, so I have an appointment to get my nails done every three weeks. Every time I charge my credit card, I take a moment to consider how much this pampering is costing me.

But I have a plan that will make this cost feel a little less painful. Now that prices have increased, I've decided to alter how often I get my nails done in the year ahead. Instead of getting a professional manicure every three weeks, I'll get my nails done every four weeks.

Going every three weeks, I'd get about 17 manicures a year. At $110 per visit, that's $1,870 for a year of high-end manicures. As I said, it's not cheap! But if I switched to going every four weeks, I'd only get 13 manicures over the course of a year. My manicures would cost only $1,430 per year. That means I'll save about $440 a year. The best part is I don't have to skip out on this special treat. With this routine change, I can continue to rock fab nails while boosting my savings account balance.

Small changes could help you keep more money in your pocket

If you treat yourself by paying for expenses that improve your life, you may not have to give up on your favorite treat when prices increase. Instead, figure out if there's a way to make changes that allow you to keep more money in your checking account.

Choosing a different product or service or altering your schedule to do an activity less often could help you save money without giving up what matters most to you. Don't be afraid to get creative to find the best solution.

If you need help budgeting to continue to pay for the expenses that are important to you, check out our list of the best budgeting apps. With the help of technology, it may be easier than you think to stay on top of your spending goals.