TRIANGLE, N.C.--When you're on a tight budget, you often have to cut out the little things you do to treat yourself. But everyone deserves some self-indulgence every now and then, and there are ways to primp, pamper, and unwind without breaking the bank.

 

 

People at the Aveda Institute in Chapel Hill say it's possible to get luxury beauty treatments at an affordable price.

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A haircut at the Aveda clinic usually costs $19-22, much lower than the current market rate, said Julie Woodgeard, executive director of salon operations. On top of that, clients are not allowed to tip their stylists. Tips will be donated each month to a different charitable organization.

 

That's because the hair stylists and spa practitioners at the institute are still students. They offer services and spa treatments at reduced rates as a way to get hands-on experience.

 

"We like to offer them a great experience through our rituals," Woodgeard said, "whether that's receiving a stress relieving treatment, a hand and arm treatment, or a wonderful relaxing foot soak. And it's affordable."

 

Keep in mind to allow enough time for your appointment. A haircut could take two hours, depending upon the students' level of experience. All students are supervised by instructors, and clients' satisfaction levels are reviewed at each visit to ensure quality service, Woodgeard said.

 

For more information about Aveda Institute salon and spa services, go to their Web site www.avedachapelhill.com.

 

For another way to pamper yourself on a budget, open the refrigerator instead of your wallet.

 

The Web site www.mybeautyrecipes.com offers simple recipes for a variety of homemade beauty treatments, using ingredients like eggs, olive oil, milk, honey and cucumbers.

 

MyBeautyRecipes.com calls itself, 'Your own day spa. No Appointment Necessary.'

 

 

 

A good book can offer hours of entertainment at a relatively low price. When you purchase a used book, you can save even more money.

 

Falls River Books in North Raleigh offers fine, used and traded books in an environment that begs you to browse, chat and read for a while.

 

There's hard-wood flooring, comfortable chairs, free coffee and snacks, and a staff of voracious readers that can guide you through the aisles of shelves packed with books.

 

"I remember my customers' names, what they like to read," said owner Steven Elliot. "All my employees are familiar with books, can recommend books."

 

Books are typically priced at half the cover price or less. You'll get an even bigger discount if you trade in your old books for store credit.

 

"We might sell it right off the counter to another person," Elliot said. "That saves you a substantial amount of money. It's good for the environment. And also, just shopping locally, in a local store, you save money on gas."

 

For more information about Falls River Books visit their Web site www.fallsriverbooks.com

 

 

Experts say you can spend an evening unwinding with a glass of rich red or light white on any budget.

 

"There's a craft in finding inexpensive high quality wines," said Matt Fern of Seaboard Wine Warehouse in Raleigh.

 

Fern said staff members at places like Seaboard have the knowledge to help guide customers through an expansive collection of wine.

 

"If you tell me $4," he said, "I'm going to find you a $4 bottle of wine that falls into the guidelines of a wine that you'd want to drink, and not only that, a wine you will come back and purchase again."

 

Once you find a wine you like, it can also help your budget to buy by the case to receive a bigger discount per bottle.

 

The staff at Seaboard Wine Warehouse offers their recommendations for:

 

 

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Issue 141

This Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay blend is crisp and floral with flavors of juicy apples and succulent pears.  It's vinification in stainless steel allows for a level of freshness that's quite pleasing.  Pair with lighter pastas, salads, rotisserie chicken, or grilled shrimp.

 

Deakin's Chardonnay is fermented and aged with very little oak influence to allow its rich fruit character to stand out. This has loads of ripe pineapple and melon fruit character heightened by a creamy texture and a refreshing crisp finish.

 

This is the wine that everybody is talking about.  It's harmonious and pure with a refreshing and natural citric spritz. This quintessential summer sipper is thirst-quenching, clean and great by itself or with shellfish, lighter pastas, or sautéed trout.

 

This is perhaps the most exclusive bottling of Grüner we have in the shop and is only available at Seaboard Wine, The Asheville Wine Market and in Austria.  It is poured for parties from Langenlois to Vienna, which means that it has already passed the test for your next party!  Textbook Grüner at a reasonable price.

 

Ken Forrester is known for his outstanding white wines.  Most notable are his Chenin Blancs.  They combine rich, pure fruit with elegant structure and succinct mineral tones. The Petit Chenin is a juicy offering with supple orchard and refreshing citrus fruit accented with a delicate spice. Pair with salads or sautéed fish.

 

This Pinot Grigio is a blend sourced from seventeen vineyard sites in the Alto Adige, the northeastern portion of Italy in the foothills of the Alps.  The expertise of the vineyard selection and winemaking provides the wine with excellent body and considerable length, while maintaining an elegantly bright finish laced with refreshing mineral notes.

A marvelously ripe Rosé with superb bright flavors of strawberry/cherry fruit paired with a refreshingly dry and lively finish. This ‘ultimate porch wine’ is evidence that there are still great values to be had in European wine. .

 

Our hands down pick for the best dry rosé in the store is back from the stunning vintage of 2007!  It's savory and crisp with beautiful balance.  The quality and complexity belies its bargain price.  Tegernseerhof's Zweigelt Rosé is a great match for Ahi tuna with toasted sesame seeds, heirloom tomato salad or simply by itself.

 

This fresh, bright wine represents one of the better values coming out of Spain.  Campo de Borja is a region that's been producing solid Grenache-based wines for some time now.  Light to medium-bodied with spicy notes and smooth tannins, the Vina Borgia would pair beautifully with light, creamy pastas, grilled salmon, or roasted pork loin.

This kind of quality-to-price ratio cannot be ignored.  It’s beautifully perfumed with wild strawberry, spicy cherry, herbs, and delicate cinnamon tones.  A Burgundian influence in the winemaking makes it an even more substantial offering.  

 

Kilda's Shiraz packs plenty of jammy fruit and soft spice for such a reasonable price. A fun wine to enjoy on its own or serve with ribs, spicy fish dishes or rich pastas.  A great bistro styled wine from Australia.

 

One hundred percent hillside vineyard old vine Grenache.  Boasts a dark crimson color with lively, jammy black cherry / berry fruit, mineral and spice tones and a rich mouthfilling finish.  The texture and complexity of this wine is seldom seen in wines twice the price.  Fans of Rhône-style reds should line up for this one. Pairs well with grilled tuna, pork, flank steak and grilled marinated vegetables.

 

A fun, easy drinking blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah with brilliant garnet color, smooth & balanced red currant/black cherry fruit and a lively fresh berry finish.  A well-made, casual red to enjoy with simple meals and good friends.

 

This luscious, medium-bodied Cabernet sports aromas and flavors of ripe black cherry and round plum fruit accent with supple tannins.  A fantastic value that is equally fitting at the dinner table, for cocktails or at your next gathering.

 

For more information go to www.seaboardwine.com.