How I afford the occasional splurge item

I have always had champagne taste but I used to have a real beer budget before, when I was still in university. I used to hate it at the time, but having to budget taught me how to be able to afford luxury items even on a budget, which is something that still comes in very handy now that I am working.

I have tons of friends who tell me that they simply cannot afford designer items, and they always wonder how I do. Since I am guessing there might be others out there in cyber space with the same problem, I thought I would share my tips on how to be able to afford luxury items from time to time, with little effort:

1. I save all my change.
This really does not sound like it will make any difference, I know. I used to think that way too, but then I decided to try this old method (basically a piggy bank, but I put my coins in plastic bottles instead, because then I can't get the money out without cutting the bottles open) and noticed that all that change, that pretty much annoyed me when it was just in my wallet, weighing a ton, really adds up!

So if you start saving your change, every day, you might very well be able to buy something a little bit more expensive in a year.

2. I save small bills.
I also put aside small bills. The method is basically the same as with the change, but I like saving small bills too, since they obviously add up faster.

3. I have a small automated savings account just for splurge items.
You do not need to save a lot for handbags, shoes or whatever it is that you are into, because that does not make much sense, but even if you save $20 a month, it will add up very fast if you do it for a while!
I choose to automate all my savings, including my splurge savings, because then the savings are automatically taken from my salary when I get paid, and if I never even see the money, I do not miss it.

So I highly recommend automating your savings!

4. Shop the sales!
The online luxury stores have great sales every once in a while. Learn when they are, and only buy luxury items in the sale, since they really are so much cheaper then!

(the pic illustrates my dream luxury item, a Bottega Veneta bag, that I have still not gotten. But I am already saving up for it! The pic is from Butterboom)