Saving Money on “Me Time” {Guest Post by Northshore Mama}

Disclosure :: The links in this post are either my personal referral links, or an affiliate link. Either way, I will benefit in some manner if you use them….and I will love you forever!

I am so not a “me time” person. I am so busy all the time between working my real job, two kids in school with “common core homework” and karate, a gone-half-the-time hubby and my own blog … not to mention that I live 20 miles from anything. Literally … I am lucky to have internet to post this!

So, the days that I can stay home … I want to just stay home! I don’t want to drive back to town and kill an entire day for an hour of hair or nails. I just don’t have the time. In fact, I have an Earthsavers gift card that I got May 2014 that I had not used until just this month!

But, here’s the thing. When I don’t take that time, I feel neglected … and frumpy … and tired … and unappreciated. So, this year, on the first day of school, I used part of that gift card for some quick mommy-maintenance. I wanted a pedicure, but couldn’t get that appointment. So instead, I opted for a quick brow wax to tame these caterpillars above my eyes that I have been battling for months. They were beginning to win, y’all!

I was laying there, being taken care of and thinking about how it really wasn’t THAT bad to drive that 20 miles to have someone take care of me for a change … and the girl who was doing my brows seemed genuinely interested in me! Not karate or the lawnmower or what I was cooking for dinner. She asked me about ME! Wow … what a concept!

So, I realized that I DO need to take that time. No, let’s change that. I need to MAKE the time to have a little “me time.”

So, of course, the next thing that popped into my head was the cost. I had a gift card, which still has a balance on it, but how can I manage “me time” that I can afford? The good pampering isn’t cheap! So, that’s what I want to share with you this month.

Ways to have that special time for Mommy without busting your budget!

THE ANSWER IS DAILY DEALS!

Y’all, if you are taking advantage of some of the deals that pop up on these “daily deal” sites, you are seriously missing out!

 

Groupon has been having coupon codes lately that offer an additional 15, 20 or even 30% off different categories. So it may be local deals this week … which means that any deal found under their LOCAL tab would be eligible. Many restaurants and spas in the area would also be a” local” deal.

Then, the next week it may be all the “spa” type deals … like massages and facials and such. <—ME TIME!

So, the way this would work is that the deal may be a $70 massage for half price, or $35. Then the coupon code would take the 20% or whatever is offered from the $35. So, now you are paying just $28 for a $70 service. THAT, I can do!

Just looking through as I am typing this up, I see 30% off deals on Crossfit classes, haircuts colors and highlights, facials with detox, massages with mani-pedi and more in the NOLA area. This 30% will be over before this deal is posted to NOMB, but I wanted to give you a recent example to look for.

 

Living Social has similar deals, and they also offer coupon codes or $5 off from time to time. The same principle applies that the deal may be half price, then any code would come off THAT already-discounted price.

They also offer a Refer a Friend program that gives you AND your referred friend $10 when someone new signs up. So, if you are not signed up with Living Social, click here to get $10 off your first purchase of $20 or more (I will get $10, too … and will love you forever!) **must use your $10 within 30 days of sign up.**

But what I love most about Living Social is that they offer ME + 3 = FREE. That means that you purchase your deal (with or without a coupon code), and they give you a special link. You share that link and get 3 people to buy the same deal THROUGH YOUR LINK, and your deal is refunded entirely! That $70 massage is now FREE! FREE, I say!

Here are some deals that I found under the New Orleans Area Health and Beauty Tab (remember, share with 3 friends who buy it, too, and you could pay ZERO….)

 

 

Another good site for deals to local places is Get My Perks. This is the one you hear on B-97 each day. They have some great deals on local businesses, and I have seen spas and salons on there in the past.

As I am typing this, I see mani/pedi packages in Houma and a Deep Tissue, Moist Heat massage in Metairie!

So, there are several ways that you can have some guilt-free me time. A little time for someone to pamper you will make you feel better, more relaxed, and happier overall. Let’s be honest, that makes us all better moms! So, take MAKE the time for yourself and use some of these deals for yourself!

About Northshore Mama

Kari Head ShotKari, born and raised on the Northshore, began Northshore Mama after her family experienced a couple of rough financial years.  Kari shares the tips and tricks to maneuvering each store’s different marketing of their sales, as well as introducing her readers to various programs and websites where she earns free stuff every day.  Northshore Mama’s mission is to bring you the coupon deals and show you how to match them up with each store’s weekly sales to get the most bang for your buck!

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