I put everything on my credit card – then my life changed

A few months ago I found myself at a luxurious spa sipping on fruity mocktails, nibbling on buttery croissants, and getting a hand massage with expensive oils.  

The best part though, was that it all cost just £10.  

You might think there’s something special going on when I wound up having one of the most indulgent and joy-filled days I’ve had in a long time – complete with a goody bag worth over £100 – for such a bargain price.

Well, there’s no big secret really. The spa was launching a new partnership with a brand and had advertised the event on its Facebook page, and I’d decided to jump on the chance. 

What I didn’t expect, however, was for this one event to kickstart a weekly £10 treat budget – one that has helped me economise better and feel in control of my money. 

Before that spa day, and my weekly challenge, life looked very different. 

For 11 years I’d worked as an office manager, which meant I earned good money and had a guaranteed £250 ‘socialising budget’ to play with after monthly bills and expenses had been accounted for. 

I’d become accustomed to putting everything on my credit card and paying off the full balance at the end of each month without a care. And I’d never think twice about a meal out at places like Prezzo or enjoying a night at the theatre. 

That all changed however when, in 2023, I quit my job in search of something new. 

After a false start – involving a new job which came with little support and a daily commute of two hours – I got a two-day-a-week admin job. But that meant I didn’t have anywhere near as much disposable income as I used to. 

Suddenly, I was on a much lower-budget lifestyle and I had no choice but to rein in my spending and generally become more mindful with my money. However, I still wanted to prioritise wellbeing and fun. 

Knowing I’d never be able to afford £250 a month on socialising on my new salary, I set a new budget of £80 a month. 

Unfortunately, during the first month at my new job, I spent £40 of that on a meal with a friend, leaving me with hardly any money for the rest of the month – let alone for fuel. 

I re-adjusted my budget to £60 a month, and I quickly realised if I wanted to stay within this budget I’d have to start saying no to the social activities I was so used to, which made me feel miserable and like I was missing out. 

Then, in June this year, I found that £10 spa event. 

While it seemed to be too good to be true at first, the event turned out to deliver everything it promised and more. It was the most pampered and relaxed I’d felt in years, and I’d barely even broken the bank to do it. 

Seeing how I could enjoy luxury on such a small amount immediately made me begin to re-think what I’d been doing. Perhaps £10 per week might be enough as long as I was being creative with how I was spending it. 

From that moment on, I set myself the challenge to see how far I could stretch a tenner without sacrificing joy.  

I was worried I’d feel restricted at first – £10 wouldn’t get me anything worthwhile, I assumed – but I quickly realised there is so much you can do for little to no money; from borrowing books from the library to picnicking at the beach or going for long canal walks with friends. 

Soon enough picking my £10 activity for the week became something I looked forward to, it became a bit of a game. 

I’d keep an eye out for freebies or low-cost events through local Facebook groups and businesses, I’d sign up to newsletters – so that when Prezzo has a ‘Buy One Get One For £1’ deal, I’m the first to know – and I made sure to sign up for loyalty cards too in hopes of a freebie or discount. 

I also made simple switches like swapping shopping trips at high street stores to searching charity shops to see what I could find for £10 or less. 

And instead of eating out, I’ve invited my friend over for a cup of tea and a piece of homemade cake. 

Some weeks I haven’t even spent any or all of my £10 that week, so then I either pop it in my savings or put it towards next week’s treats. When that happens, I feel a real sense of pride in how far I’ve come. 

I’ve also started an Instagram account – @TheSavvyWelshGirl – where I share my tips on living life on a low budget while prioritising self-care. If my comments section is anything to go by, there are so many people trying to make their money go as far as possible, including on ‘fun’ things and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.

At the end of the day it’s about working smarter, not harder.

If you think you can get something for free, then don’t buy it: swap paying for Spotify and a gym membership for music and workout videos on YouTube.

Find ways to try before you buy: there are plenty of rental apps out there now so you can rent an outfit rather than buying it outright, especially if it’s something you’ll only use or wear once.

And put down the credit card. Cash is king when trying to keep track of your money. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.

I love that I’ve found the fun in free activities like walks in the park or a picnic, but I like finding bargain deals like going to our local independent cinema on a Monday for just £4 and getting £10 off my next food bill just because I recommended a friend to a restaurant.

I look at money through a different lens than I used to and it’s become a way of life for me now, one that I wouldn’t change. 

They say that ‘the best things in life are free’ and now I can finally see that is true. Joy is not measured by how much money you spend, but by who you spend your time with and the memories you make.

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