What Are Your Recession-Proof Indulgences?

I'm unemployed now, so I've been indulging with regular manis and pedis. These are indulgences because I can do them excellently at home, but I'd rather experience the pampering. Besides, I don't have one of those vibrating (massage) reclining chairs at home. Oh, and I haven't been skimping on the tips, either. Knowing that I care about my grooming -- and that I've made the manicurist's/pedicurist's day with a generous tip -- always has me leaving the nail salon with a positive glow inside and out.

I quit buying books and now either get them at the library or read them online. There is a site that has a large library that is free called scribe.com and I use it for research as well. I refuse to give up chocolate or wine. I have discovered an inexpensive wine at Target and Walmart that is actually pretty good. I bought flavored syrups at the grocery store to add to my coffee at home rather than by Starbucks.

Recession proof:
Dish network- used to it...need CNN and lifetime
Xm radio - still have it, too lazt to cancel, although i don't need it
Morning coffee- gave up starbucks...just any regular shop works now...much cheaper...same effect and sometimes tastes better!

Manicures. In NYC you get a mani for $10+tip. I love choosing fun colors like Footloose, Big Spender and Power Lunch. I also enjoy the hand/forearm rub. It always makes my day.

Libraries are wonderful, but I must have books in my possession, not on loan. I try to find books on the sale table. I like the look, smell, feel of books, not just the content. Feeds my soul.

A massage! That is one thing that I can never go too long without. Massages are relaxing, rejuvinating, and overall amazing! I highly recommend it.

I've given up tinted drinks (coffee, dark teas, sodas, etc) for the Recession-Proof indulgence of having pearly white teeth. Recently my teeth were whitened using an advanced light therapy treatment and while it cost me a hunny, I've more than recouped the costs by cutting out the costly and teeth staining drinks.

Continuing my college education and my Swiss Chocolate coffee creamer....must have both regardless of financial plight.

I have to agree with everyone regarding good haircuts, it's amazing how important this feels to one. Worth every penny!

My visit to the hair salon every 6 weeks or so . . . I just can't give that up right now. I like the gray to be covered by a professional!!

xm radio. I know I should let it go, but I drive 30minutes to work each way, and I enjoy so many talk shows, sports, cnn, and oprah on the way to and from work, I am packing lunch 4days a week, and just for the winter, I'll color my own hair. I can't give up my expensive stylist, but i am stretching my cuts from 4 weeks to 6 weeks although, i really don't know if the savings are worth the week of bad hair days. Today I washed my own car instead of the drive thru wash. I may give up my land line and go cellular.

cable because of exercisetv! I must keep my resolution to work out more this year. I need the variety of the workouts and can't buy dvd's. Hair color! (I'm doing it at home now). The farmers market - I have to have fresh veggies & fruit for my health. One other indulgence is heat. I have to warm up the place so I pay more because it is so uncomfortable and besides it's hard to keep the blankets up when you want to read in bed etc.

Moose tracks ice cream!! Not something i eat every day (for which my thighs thank me heartily) but at least once a week, i make the trek to the local ice cream store. It's not terribly expensive so i can justify the cost and oh, the taste!. Yummy.

Good quality scented candles. I love the ambiance and aromatherapy benefits the candles provide. I burn them everyday in my home. When I go on a trip, I take travel candles with me to freshen up the scent of the hotel room.

Orgasm... it's recession proof, always has been, always will be!

I found the question of recession-proof indulgences today timely as I sat at Starbucks drinking my Cinnamon Dolce Latte. Every week I keep telling myself that I'm going to quit making my stops at Starbucks (because of the cost), but each week I find myself there again. Something about coffee shops, drinking my favorite latte, inspires me, so I keep coming back for more. It's the only thing I indulge on.

My Triple Venti Soy Add Whip Cinnamon Dolce Latte is the one thing that is Recession-Proof! I'm a coffee lover and won't give that up no matter what! I think we all need something to indulge in during tough financial times or else we would go crazy!! :-)

From a global perspective, I wholeheartedly agree intellectually with Olivia that the Internet is an indulgence, for the reason she provided in her comment. However, I believe those of us who live in the United States we must place the definition of "recession-proof indulgences" into a U.S. perspective by class. After all, we are living in a class- and race-based society. In that light, the Internet really is not an indulgence because many public libraries, schools and civic centers offer free Internet usage. When one is laid off or otherwise terminated from employment, one *needs* the Internet to seek employment most efficiently. ... Having said all of that, my recession-proof indulgence -- from a U.S. perspective -- is professional hair maintenance. I *would* give up meals to continue my appointments because I could be passed over for a job if my hair is not right, but not because I am thin. Hey, thin is *really* in during a recesssion!

My husband & I will not give up our weekly guitar lessons or our bi-monthly deep cleaning service done by a great housekeeper. When I feel a need to go shopping, I'll hit thrift stores & garage sales. It's like a treasure hunt without spending a lot of money. I have stocked up on teas and gourmet coffees I can make at home. I will not give up my hairstylist though. He keeps my hair in great shape & I feel better splurging on a good haircut.

Well it worked in the great times, and it is definitely recession proof. It is still a hot bath. The candles are cheaper now, and sometimes I pass on the wine, for a bargain cup of hot green tea, don't forget the korinje cinnamon..... But the hot water is still cheap, and the relaxation is definitely more relaxing. Melts away all the stress of the day. I wait till real late at night, to avoid any interruptions. It may not help the economy to rebound, but it works for me.

I'm right there with you Jenny - I have a standing every three weeks appt with my hair stylist for a touch up. I'm prematurely grey, have been since I was in my 20's. I wouldn't mind going natural now but the growing out period would REALLY suck!

Starbucks, I can not give up my Mochas! I did get a home machine, it's awesome, but not a replacement:)

Skin care is a must...no junk! We stick with handmade and all natural. All of our soap comes from
www.plainjaneskincare.com She has awesome stuff and very reasonable prices-recession proof!

Having my hair colored and cut are definitely a must. I also cannot go for more than 4 weeks without having my chin and upper lip waxed. Diminishing hormones are a cruel fact of aging. I refuse to walk around looking as if I have a five o'clock shadow.

There is a local restaurant that I go to every week, sometimes twice a week. Because it uses all natural, organic and local produce its kind of pricy - but i refuse. I have literally started selling my clothes - but i will not give up Marie Catrib's...
I think these indulgences are the things that remind us that maybe life isnt so bad, and there's hope for tomorrow.

Honestly I am surprised by these answers. Coffee shop coffee? Over-buying Shoes? I gave those things up long before the recession started and my life continued to be happy and fulfilled. If you had to do without them, you would realize they are very much expendible. Obviously you have not yet been laid off... You'll be sorry if you are. My recession-proof indulgence is Internet - maybe most people reading this consider it a necessity, but open your eyes and consider how many people in the world can't read this. It is an indulgence.

Going to lunch with a friend on my paydays. Gives me a chance to catch up with them during a normally hectic week. I refuse to go without it. I've given up my expensive coffees, my haircolor (i'm a natural brunette who went red), getting my nails done and the occasional shoe shopping spree but I refuse to give up my once weekly lunch dates.

Theatre tickets. If I can't go to the theatre and enjoy a show then what's the point of the struggle. Thankfully, my town has an awesome theatre that's very affordable. I love local theatre best anyway so why not splurge?

As long as I live in San Francisco, I will continue to eat out. There are tons of affordable and diverse options for dining around every corner. As long as the place is relatively cheap and healthy than I go for it! I figure I am helping local businesses and taking care of my health...plus eating out forces you to take a break from life and catch up with friends.

Pedicures. When my feet are happy, I'm happy. I won't be giving them up anytime soon.

Discount shoe shopping. I actually chalk it up to more of an illness than indulgence. You better believe I'll eat corn out of the can for dinner if it means I can snag that red pump on the sale rack. Maybe it's more about the thrill of the hunt...there's something about a clearance sign in the shoe aisle that I just can't say no to, no matter the state of the economy or my checkbook...

I can't get enough of coffee either...But I have been making my own at home for awhile, so it's saving me now until all my coffee stash runs out!! I'm also a big fan of the once-in-awhile pedicures...

I still get my hair highlighted/colored. I know it's so shallow, but I bring my lunch every single day to make room for that little luxury. Those who work with me know that even my brought-from-home lunches are Frugal with a capital F: black beans and rice, with salsa. I spend a mere $2.50 a day on lunch so I can pay $125 every 75 days to hide my grays. (Wow, it's kind of sad to see that in print!)