How to live a luxury lifestyle on a budget

We all love the finer things in life. The trouble is luxury means something usually has a rather hefty price tag attached to it. But, living a luxury lifestyle doesn’t have to mean spending beyond your means. With the right approach, you can enjoy the finer things in life and live a luxury lifestyle without the need for a luxury budget. Think designer fashion, premium experiences and indulgent treats. And it doesn’t even involve any dodgy dealings or time-consuming workarounds. All it involves is some savvy spending, clever planning and taking advantage of vouchers and discounts that unlock massive savings. Here’s how to enjoy a champagne lifestyle on a sparkling water budget.

Live a luxurious lifestyle for less:

1. Dress like royalty without a king’s budget

A luxury lifestyle often begins with how you present yourself, but you don’t need to pay designer prices to look the part. Check out sales, outlet stores and preloved luxury marketplaces for discounted high-end fashion. If you head to charity shops in notoriously affluent areas, you’re more likely to find big name brands and designer clothes on their racks at prices that are far lower than what they’re worth. The same goes for apps like Vinted and eBay, And chances are, they might not have been worn too much by the previous owner – if at all.

Rebekah Allen, an expert in sustainable fashion and the founder and CEO of Le-Serey says:

‘When shopping for preloved luxury, the first thing I always look for is authenticity. Counterfeits are a real problem, and that’s why I stick to platforms that have rigorous authentication processes. Companies like The RealReal or Fashionphile have built their reputations on making sure what you’re buying is genuine. If you’re buying jewellery, you want to look for hallmarks or stamps that indicate the material and maker. For handbags, it might be serial numbers or stitching. If you’re unsure, don’t be afraid to ask questions or request more details. If the seller hesitates or avoids answering, trust your instincts and move on.'

If you do find something you love that’s cheap but isn’t quite the right size, a tailor can custom-fit clothing for as little as £5. Check your local key-cutting store or laundrette as they often offer affordable tailoring services like simple hemming, Or, to re-heel a pair of worn boots, you can use scrap fabric from tailored clothes, helping tie an outfit together for less.

Another great way to dress to impress and save a lot of money is by utilising voucher codes. When you shop online, don’t settle for the cost you see next to that amazing outfit you just have to have. Even luxury retailers provide discounts, so browse fashion voucher codes now and find ways to save money with your favourite names.

Raymani Zaloumi, CEO & Founder of Raymani Branding PR & Management, says:

‘Ensure your clothing fits perfectly by investing in tailoring; even budget-friendly pieces look high-end when well-fitted. Quiet luxury and the “old money" aesthetic are timeless trends. Opt for neutral tones like black, white, beige or navy, which exude sophistication.’

2. Transform your home into a luxe sanctuary

Your home is your castle, and creating a luxurious space can give you that feeling of living your dream life without the need to spend a fortune for the privilege.

Check out sites like Gumtree, Ebay, Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace to find deals in your local area – sometimes, people will even give items away for free. Keep an eye out for discounts on high-quality furniture, soft furnishings and decorative pieces.

Many retailers, like Dunelm and Wayfair, hold sales throughout the year and even apply further discounts to lines and items that may be discontinued. You can also try upcycling old furniture you may already own or pick up for cheap in a secondhand shop. There are plenty of tutorials and how-tos available online (check out influencers like Maisie Violet Rees so take a look and see how you can have that unique designer look without having to spend much – plus, it’s a fun project to take on and is super rewarding.

Another great way to make your space feel more luxe is with a regular deep clean. It’s not exactly glamorous, but it keeps you and your home feeling fresh. Similarly, you can pick up inexpensive products at DIY retailers like B&Q and Wickes to make sure you keep things like fastenings, tiles and grout looking fresh.

3. Dine out in style without the guilt

Indulging in fine dining is possible on a budget with the right strategies. You just need to make sure you pick your moments and have a little flexibility of when and where you go so you can still feel luxurious.

If you head out on a Friday or Saturday night, or during some of the busier times of the year, you’re not as likely to find a deal as restaurants don’t need to do as much to tempt customers to make a reservation. But, during quieter periods such as midweek, you’ll often find that even high-end restaurants have a cheeky offer. It might be a set menu like the one at Pizza Express, a welcome drink like sometimes offered at Prezzo or money off. Pizza Express also offers diners a free dessert on your birthday! So, if you make date night a Tuesday instead of a Friday, you can still eat some top posh nosh and not spend as much.

Another great option is to browse Groupon to see if there are deals you can take advantage of at Michelin-starred restaurants. Because the best thing about eating amazing food is when you don’t have to pay huge prices for the honour!

If you’re heading out to enjoy a meal at the weekend but don’t want to break the bank, there are ways to do this too. Why not nurse a glass of wine rather than going for the bottle? Or share a starter and dessert instead of choosing one each? There’s also nothing wrong with grabbing a cheeky kebab on the way home if you’re still hungry…

4. Travel first class for less

Luxury travel doesn’t have to mean five-star prices. With a bit of planning, you can enjoy the high life on holiday. One way to do this is by accumulating frequent flyer points with your airline of choice, which you can redeem for flight upgrades. And you don’t just need to fly here, there and everywhere to increase your points balance, either. Some credit cards allow you to gain points as you spend, and you can even transfer your supermarket points into flyer points. Schemes like Virgin Flying Club are great at helping you accumulate points over time.

You can also save money on flights by flying on the least popular days, like Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. Recent data from Google Flights suggested that when looking at historical prices, Tuesdays are 1.3% cheaper than the most expensive day to book, a Sunday.

It’s not ideal and might mean juggling your annual leave a bit, but you can often grab a bargain that can make it worth it. Or if you book at the right time, you can get a flight or a nicer hotel for less.

For more ways to save, browse travel vouchers you can use with loads of your favourite travel brands.

5. Look and feel your best without overpaying

High-end beauty products can be pricey. For example, Lancôme mascara is around £22, while Boots’ own similar product is £2.50. And each will last you around three months, depending on use. Or if you think about a high-end spa, a facial can leave you looking refreshed, but costs around £40. These costs can soon add up, but there are ways to make sure you spend less by taking advantage of certain products or making small savings here and there. Here are just a few ways to help you look and feel great for less:

• Use multi-purpose products like using a brown eyeliner for brows, eyes, and lips.
• Take advantage of introductory offers at local gyms.
• Buy own-brand alternatives.
• Save your buying until key sale events, such as Prime Day, Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Boxing Day. Try to think ‘less is more’.

For more information on how to save more money on your beauty routine, read our article on how to save money on beauty products so you look and feel fabulous.

6. Master the art of the luxury mindset

Luxury is as much about mindset as it is about material things. You can absolutely live a more luxurious life even with a small budget. Invest in fewer things but what you do buy, make sure they’re high quality. Focus on small indulgences that bring you joy and always look for ways to give a little boost to your everyday life, like a nice steak on a Friday or browsing for yellowed-stickered luxury products at the end of the day. Fresh flowers - even in-season bunches like daffodils in the spring - can help you feel good in your daily life, as they're proven to lift your mood.

Invest in timeless pieces that don’t necessarily depend on riding the latest trend. If you buy true luxury items that are tried and tested, like a high-quality watch, they’re likely to be fashionable in the future and something you can wear or use again and again. A capsule wardrobe is also a great way around this!

Raymani Zaloumi, CEO & Founder of Raymani Branding PR & Management, is a big fan of this approach, saying:

‘Focus on quality over quantity; invest in versatile, timeless pieces like a well-fitted blazer or classic accessories that can elevate multiple outfits’.

7. Do more during off-peak times

We get it, sometimes you don’t have much choice, so if you want to do something and spend money, you have to do it at peak times. But, where possible, do things outside of the busiest times to have a better chance of saving money. This includes:

• Eating out early to take advantage of early-bird offers, usually before 5pm
• Traveling outside of the school holidays
• Shopping during the sale season
• Going for mid-week trips to attractions
• Live a luxurious life with a not-so-luxury budget!

Living a luxury lifestyle on a budget is all about making smart purchase choices choosing to buy and do things outside of when you might normally want to do them. From shopping for designer clothing to taking part in some indulgent experiences, you can live life luxuriously without overspending.

Browse up-to-date voucher codes with Savoo today and discover exclusive vouchers and deals that bring the high life within reach.