Cheaper Options for Moms' 10 Guilty Pleasures

There’s a reason why we feel a sense of reward every pay day: aside from being able to pay for bills and other household necessities, we also have the privilege to give in to our weaknesses—our guilty pleasures, so to speak.

And when we discover these things that provide us such joy and relaxation, well, they can be pretty hard to resist. Thankfully, these don’t have to burn a hole in your pocket. Read on as we share cheaper options to some of moms’ guilty pleasures (raise your hand if you can relate!):

1. Gourmet Coffee

It’s amazing how a steaming cup of this caffeinated beverage can jolt you out of sluggishness and add that burst of energy when needed. But while store-bought versions can pack a punch, they can also cost an arm and a leg a pop. Try a 3-in-1 mix that you can prepare in seconds like CafeRite. It’s priced cheaper than more popular brands in the market (P6 for Rich and Brown and P5 for Rich and Strong).

Photo of coffee in mug by TheCulinaryGeek via flickr creative commons

2. Cronuts

With the cronut craze sweeping through Manila, more options have now become available. The new croughnut offerings from Le Cour de France are a tasty treat in three flavors: Parmesan, Mixed Berries and Double Belgian Chocolate -- and for only P89 each, they’re more affordable than other brands. And, because they’re baked, they’re not as packed with calories.

Photo of plain cronut by LadyDucayne via flickr creative commons 

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3. Nail spa

What woman won’t fall in love with beautiful nails? Coupled with extra services like comfy seats, soothing music, and a relaxing massage, we may feel that getting some me-time at a nail spa means getting our money’s worth, even when the packages get pricy – not! Instead of going for your usual mani-pedi routine, consider the savings you can make if you settle for home service spas such as Nail Experts. You’ll get your nails cleaned and prettified at the comfort of your own home complete with the spa ambience. Their basic manicure costs P140 and the pedicure at P150. 

Photos by Douglas Fernando 2013 and katbert via flickr creative commons

4. Chocolates

Ah, the bane of our waistlines. But while these treats don’t scrimp on calories, they’ve also proven time and time again just how their endorphin-boosting effect comes in handy during not-so-forgiving days. Instead of imported gourmet chocolate brands, why not delight your taste buds with equally mouthwatering local finds? Risa Chocolates’ truffles, pralines and crave bars (P160 to P230) are simply to-die-for. 

Photo of chocolate balls by Astrid Kopp via flickr creative commons

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5. Hair color

The beautiful kayumanggi skin of Pinoys makes it a beautiful complement to many hair colors. But let’s admit it; for good hair dye services, especially when they’re coupled with highlights, streaks, or other more complex hair treatments, you really need to shell more out of your wallet (P1000 is pretty cheap these days). So, why not try coloring your own hair? If you check out the product reviews and tutorials of beauty gurus online, you’ll find out that it’s really not that complicated to do, and the results can be salon-quality. Try Etude House’s bubble hair coloring packs (P378).

Photo of woman from sxc.hu

6. Books

Don’t you want to bring back the old days, when you could buy brand new paperback books for as low as P50 plus? These days, most books start at P350. If you’re the type of book lover who enjoys a good hunt, then try buying books from second-hand bookstores like Booksale, one of SP features ed Steph’s favorite haunts for their feel-good reads for as low as P100. 

Related story: Books on Sale: 10 Places to Go to for Second-Hand Books 

Photo of books by azrasta via flickr creative commons

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7. Makeup

With a plethora of cosmetics brands to choose from, women nowadays are more selective when it comes to makeup. Instead of buying individual beauty products (which could add up to a fortune collectively) to fill your kikay kit, opt for makeup sets instead. Try the “She’s so jetset!” set from Benefit (P2,100) which comes complete with an eyeshadow palette, face powder and brush, mascara, lip gloss and primer.

Photo of girl with makeup brush set by prittii via flickr creative commons

8. Massages

There’s nothing like a good massage to knead your stresses and worries away. But while it may be tempting to have yours done in a high-end spa, consider a home service massage instead like Serenity Aromatherapy Home Spa Corp. which not only indulges you with the type of massage you want – having your massage at home allows you to slip right under the covers when it’s done. Serenity Aromatherapy Home Spa’s massages start at P275.

Photo of woman by whl.travel via flickr creative commons

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9. Yogurt

When the frozen yogurt (fro-yo) craze came to Manila, dessert lovers and health buffs rejoiced because it meant a more nutritious alternative to traditional ice cream. Fro-yo could even be adjusted to one’s liking with choice toppings. However, fro-yo doesn’t come cheap since the smallest serving normally costs P60 to P120. If you have a hankering for yogurt, try Creamy Delight pasteurized yogurt, which costs an amazing P15 to P20 only per cup. It comes in four variants: thick & creamy, original, non-fat and yogi kids and in a variety of flavors such as strawberry, fruit salad and strawberry-banana.

Photo of yogurt with fruits by SalFalko via flickr creative commons

10. Imported Chips

It’s a bad health habit that we’re sure many can’t just shrug off. Imported chips—those big bags filled with deep-fried slivers of flavorful goodness are such a delight to munch on. But with MSG, cholesterol and fat, the delight comes at a price. These normally start at P120. But there are actually other delicious snack options that you may be missing out on. Family Mart, for instance, sells a great variety of these packed goodies, all at P88 per bag. From chocolate-coated wafers to corn puffs, you’ll enjoy every bite.

Photo of chips on plates by Dave 77459 via flickr creative commons

Thumbnail image from bestofyoutoday.com