There are two ways to live a lavish lifestyle: Be very wealthy and spend with no regard to price or shop smart and buy right. Of these two approaches to living well, the second one requires more effort but provides a great sense of accomplishment.
Look for Sales
The idea is to buy top quality when shopping for cars, tools, furniture, clothes, and other items, including watches, cameras, computers, or televisions.The next step is to sale shop. This works at mall stores, mail-order retailers, wine and liquor stores, specialty shops, and more; virtually all retail stores at some point will put items on sale or offer discounts. However, the most efficient way to take advantage of these sales is to discover them prior to going to the store, or in the best scenario, being advised of them in advance by the retailer.
Subscribing to mailing lists from stores that offer high-end products can help eliminate missing out on a sale on items that were already slated for purchase and is a much more efficient strategy than roaming store aisles looking for deals.
An easy way to accomplish this is by spending some time signing up for mailing lists and researching loyalty clubs. These sometimes include special discounts for holiday periods and birthdays. It’s easy to unsubscribe from an email list if or when the volume becomes annoying or the items offered are no longer of interest, and ads received in the mail can be tossed away, guilt-free.
Dining Deals
Fine dining represents another opportunity to make money go further. Many high-end restaurants occasionally offer prix fixe specials, in which an appetizer, entrée, and dessert are offered for a set, discounted price, with no substitutions. Most restaurants often offer discounts, especially around holidays but also on birthdays and anniversaries; ask the hostess or server, or explore the establishment’s social media page to receive notifications.Yet another way to enjoy fine dining for less is to consider gift cards from favorite restaurants, which often are promoted by adding a “free” card for every gift card of a set amount purchased; for example, receiving a $20 card for every $100 gift card equates to an overall 20 percent discount.
Just Like New
Choosing open-box and refurbished items represents a way to buy high-end electronics, including cameras, televisions, cellphones, and computers, from local and online retailers at a significant discount. Prior to purchase, review the fine print to determine return or refund options, as well as how and by whom the items may be warrantied. In many cases, these items are in new or like-new condition.Driving a luxury car or SUV can actually be more affordable than expected when vehicles are purchased through a certified pre-owned (CPO) program. Examples include Porsche, BMW, Cadillac, and other high-end brands. Administered by local dealerships, these vehicles are backed by manufacturer warranties honored across the United States.
The bottom line is that, while it’s good to be rich, smart buyers don’t have to be wealthy to live an upscale lifestyle.