Most of us would love to live a more luxurious life. But most of us are also dealing with credit card debt, student loans, and simply paying rent each month. But there are a number of ways you can live a more luxurious life without blowing your budget:

Lease a car

Always wanted a flash car but can’t justify actually purchasing one? If you’ve never considered leasing before, you’ve been missing out. You could get a good lease deal on a Mercedes and drive around feeling like a superstar without the superstar bank account. Do the calculations and consider whether it could be worth getting rid of your old car and upgrading to something a little nicer.

Travel smart

Want to live a luxurious life while travelling? Chose cheaper destinations where you’ll get much more bang for your buck. A simple hostel in the United States or Europe could get you a lovely hotel room in Southeast Asia, and you’re more likely to be able to upgrade your room when the exchange rate is favourable for you. Sign up for a credit card that gives you great travel rewards and not only will you be able to travel more often, but you may be able to upgrade your flights.

Shop thrifty

It’s amazing what types of clothes you can find at thrift stores. From designer shoes to original art, never-been-worn clothes and vintage clothing. Set a budget, grab a friend, and spend an afternoon checking out the local thrift stores. If you’ve bought something or been given a piece of clothing that doesn’t fit well, consider getting it tailored. When you splurge on tailoring, you’ll wear the clothes for longer and they’ll also look more expensive since they fit so well.

Eat well

You can eat surprisingly well on a budget if you shop smart. If you need to buy expensive items like rosemary, cashews, and quinoa, buy them in bulk and store them well. It’s also worth becoming a little bit of a Martha Stewart and growing your own herbs and baking your own bread. Shop at the farmers market and you’ll find high-quality food that’s also affordable.

Entertain yourself

There are many different cheap luxury experiences available. You can often find discounted or even free nights at the symphony or at the opera by doing a quick Google search. Art is another luxury, so go to exhibition openings and mingle with people who may know a little more than you do about the art (but that’s ok!). Check out art galleries on opening night and enjoy the free cheese and wine.