How to Live Like a Millionaire on a Thousandaire Budget

Whether you're a billionaire, millionaire, or situated somewhere within the other 98%, living well is the innate need we all share as a common denominator. Now, if you have the means, living really well is within the realm of your possibilities. But, for those of us in the 98 percentile, just getting by, paying the bills, going to work everyday and crashing into couch potato bliss on the weekends has become life as we accept it.

But, does it have to be that way? No, it absolutely does not! Could life really offer us opportunities for adventure, travel, fine dining, designer clothes, luxury homes, beautiful jewelry, and all the upgrades the upper echelons enjoy? Yes, yes, and yes! We just have to get creative with the means we have!

YOU REALLY CAN LIVE WELL! YOU SHOULD LIVE REALLY WELL!

Even if you are living on a minimum wage or fixed income, there are many opportunities to improve your quality of life! While taking a walk in nature, listening to good music, spending time with loved ones, and laughing every chance I get are among some of the most important aspects to my quality of life, I believe doing and having some of the other things that the others enjoy can be fun, uplifting, and really contribute to our quality of life.

This is my personal guide to living well. Save it, print it, then get up off your couch and go grab some of the good stuff!

1) EAT IN GREAT RESTAURANTS...FREE!

I consider "Fine Dining" to be a restaurant with dinner entre costs in the $15 to $30 range. There are many national chains that offer a "FREE" dinner on your birthday.

So, Happy Birthday to Me!!!

These "Birthday Clubs" are a great way for restaurants to promote and advertise their establishments. They want you to "cash in" on these opportunities for many reasons. Birthdays are seldom celebrated alone, so they cash in on the folks that come along with the birthday honoree. If you are celebrating alone, their hopes are that you will be a return patron.

You can simply go onto restaurant web sites, fill in a few lines, including your birth date, and you will receive your FREE Birthday Dinner as a printable coupon. Some eateries even offer Anniversary meals and discounts.

*Here's the payload...Some restaurants give you your entire birthday month to redeem your coupon...BINGO...you could eat out in a nice restaurant for FREE several nights per week during your birthday month. Just sign up at as many as you like!

*Hey...and don't forget to sign up everyone else in your family. You will need a viable email address for everyone you sign up.

Check out these links to find participating restaurants.....

*Many great restaurants offer huge MILITARY discounts and FREE meals. Many restaurants honor veterans with FREE meals on November 11th, Veterans Day.

Here is a partial list of participating restaurants. Check out their websites for more information.

Applebee's, Chili's, Golden Corral, Hooters, Krispy Kreme, McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants, Outback Steakhouse, Subway, Texas Roadhouse, T.G.I. Friday's, Uno Chicago Grill just to name a few!

2) TRAVEL AND ADVENTURE

We've all dreamed of vacationing at luxury hotels in exotic places. Most of us have pictured ourselves lying on a beach somewhere, with a tropical drink in our hand and not a care in the world. Then we remember the credit cards are maxed, the bank account has just enough left in it to pay the bills, and zap, the dream melts away like a snowflake in July.

What if I told you that you can stay FREE at either a Five Star Resort, or, in a Fully Furnished Luxury Home? Would you believe me? Well get ready to believe me because I have two solutions to let you travel and find adventure like a millionaire!

*Time Share...there, I said it! But don't let the "Time Share" scare you! Did you know that many five star resorts have time share options? Did you know that you don't have to buy the cow to drink the milk? Time share resorts can be found nationwide and worldwide. I bet there is a Time Share within a short drive from you.

Many Time Share Resorts offer ridiculously low and even FREE 3 day/2 night packages in exchange for 2 hours of your time. That's right! I have done this many times myself! I have stayed Free, and I have paid as little as $59.00 for 3Days/2 Nights! If you are willing to sit through a 2 hour presentation (you can do it), the rest of your time and the resort facilities are yours to enjoy absolutely FREE, or at a ridiculously low price. Many even give you FREE passes to area attractions and restaurants along with your Free stay!!

Most ask that you are a married couple, but they don't ask for marriage certificates, or a co-habitating couple. In most cases, the kids are welcome too, as long as you have someone to stay with them during the presentation!

I love to visit time shares! I pride myself on resisting the pitch!! There really is a way to say, "No thank you," and go on with your day! Put your game face on and go for it!

*Here are some links for finding great Time Share Promotions!

Hey...Don't pass up this FABULOUS opportunity for Luxury Travel!

Another great way, and this is my favorite way to enjoy Luxury Accommodations, is to become a member of a Luxury House Sitting Club. Millionaires (wealthy people) who travel a great deal, and need someone to water their plants, bring in their mail, feed and care for their pets, and make it look like someone is home, are always looking for someone reliable to "House Sit." Sometimes a house sitter is needed for just a few days. But, sometimes a house sitter is needed for a few weeks, and sometimes even for a few months. Imagine a Luxury Home with a pool in an upscale area, all yours!!! You will have to get there on your own and buy your own eats, but the accommodations are FREE! This is a great option for a retired couple! I bet there is an opportunity within driving distance from you!

*This is a great link for House Sitting opportunities. I paid $10 to join this one, and I can browse opportunities in locations all over the world!

3) Millionaires...They Like Their Fancy Clothes, and So Do We!

PRADA, LOUIS VUITTON, GUCCI, MARC JACOBS, CHANEL...they're not just for the wealthy anymore!

While wearing a label certainly does not define our worth, slipping into a well made, high quality, beautiful piece of clothing sure can boost our confidence when we go out into the workplace, out to dinner, etc...

With resale shops like The Real Real, there is no reason why "we" can't wear the good stuff too. The Real Real is an on-line resale shop that specializes in very gently worn designer clothes and accessories. You can find top designer fashions, maybe worn only once, for a fraction of their original retail cost. It's kind of like shopping in a millionaire's closet.

There are many on-line sites that are specifically for the resale of gently used designer labels There is Karma Couture, The Snob, and My Habit (AMAZON) just to name a few.

While shopping on-line or at brick and mortar resale shops is a great way to obtain fantastic designer clothing and accessories at affordable prices, nothing really comes close to the feeling I get when I score a deal at a YARDSALE!

Ahhhh...the smell of bargains at 7:00am on a Saturday morning! With my travel mug of coffee in hand and dollar bills in my pocket, my anticipation grows palpable as I search the yardsale ads from my Friday newspaper.

There is no way to describe the exhilaration of scoring a "like new" Dooney & Bourke purse for $5.00, or a new, still in the box, pair of Kenneth Cole boots for $3.00. Oh, it is sweet. Yes, sweet it is!

Yardsales are by far my favorite plunder opportunities!

4) FINE (REAL) GOLD, SILVER, AND GEMSTONE JEWELRY

If you have always dreamed of wearing real pearls, real gemstones, real gold and silver, then...

GO TO EBAY! GO DIRECTLY TO EBAY! DO NOT PASS GO...JUST GO!!

I have purchased Genuine AAA+ Akoya Pearls for as little as $10.00 for an 18" strand! Genuine turquoise pendants, earrings, and rings set in .925 silver for less than $20.00. Genuine gemstone jewelry and 14k is attainable for us on EBay!

This is a wonderful option for gift buying either for those you love, or for yourself!

People, you really can have and enjoy the upgrades! And, even though these things may not be necessary to have a rich and rewarding life, sometimes, just sometimes, it sure can be a lovely addition to your quality of life!

Extreme Couponing! The art of doubling and stacking multiple coupons to bring that grocery bill down to very little or almost nothing at the checkout. Once, I left the grocery store and they owed me a nickel! That was fun! And, as Mama June, Honey Boo Boo's mom, says, "Using coupons ain't rocket science!"

Well Hello! Coupons aren't just for grocery buying anymore! Coupons are available for almost anything, especially when you are buying online! Airlines, hotels, car rentals, restaurants, department stores, and so on offer PROMO CODES for discounts on almost anything you purchase. Promo Codes are asked for when you go to pay for your item on the checkout page. There will be a box in which to enter your code and the discount is then applied to your item.

Finding Promo Codes for a particular item requires a little effort on your part. It consists of going on line, typing in the item plus the words "PROMO CODE" and doing a search.

RetailMeNot.com is a site where you can find online coupons and promo codes for many different retail stores and sites all in one spot.

Folks, saving money on your purchases is great! Being able to purchase something you never thought you could is even greater! With a little creative spending, you too can live a little larger!