Every once in awhile you just need to take a break from it all and pamper yourself. The only problem is a little pampering can cost you a whole lot of money if you choose to visit the spa. Many spas are known for charging a lot for their relaxing services, but if you’re craving some time away there are numerous ways to save some cash. From weekend getaways to an afternoon massage, you’ll be able to get just what you’re looking for without causing yourself more stress. So, sit back and enjoy the fact that you’re not going to spend your life savings on a massage that you might actually consider emptying your bank account over.

1. Go Local
Often enough people tend to seek out popular and trendy spas to get a treatment instead of looking around for a smaller local venue. This can be one of the major problems when it comes to getting a massage as trendy places tend to feel comfortable with charging quite a bit more than the average spa should. So, if you’re looking for a quick way to relax you might want to find one that is in your community. Smaller spas tend to charge a price that is more fair to the customer on a budget and will offer the same, if not better, services. Usually you can find a list of spas in the yellow pages or online, but don’t be afraid to ask for a recommendation from friends, family and neighbors. You should also keep an open mind when looking for a local spa as it might not be listed under spa services because many spas only offer facials and massages. A good place to begin your search is a local salon and these businesses tend to be located around one another.

2. Midweek Bookings
One major thing to avoid when going to a spa is trying to get an appointment around the weekend. Typically, the best time to book your treatment is in the middle of the week. This is largely due to the lack of business most spas get during this period, so don’t be afraid to take a day off work or pop in during your lunch hour for a massage. Many spas and resorts often create specials that only occur during this special time so they can try to entice more business. This means you might get a better deal on packages, or you could be privy to huge discounts or freebies. Another great thing about booking midweek is you won’t be surrounded by a lot of people, which means you get a lot more relax time for the money.

3. Package Deals
If you’re in for a long day of pampering then you might want to learn more about the packages your spa offers. A lot of the time many people will go through a list of services and book individual items that they want to experience. This can end up costing you a whole lot of money though. Most spas have a series of packages that offer you a wide variety of treatments throughout the period of your stay. So, if you want several hours or days of spa related fun then a package deal is typically going to best for you. When you look at packages make sure they cover at least two of the items you planned on doing separately. This will leave you feeling fulfilled while also giving you a few new things to try out. Some spas will even allow you to mix and match certain treatments, so don’t be afraid to ask when you book. Usually package deals contain each treatment at a discounted price, but some will add up all of the cost and then give you a small price decrease. Either way, you will end up spending less for a great time. You should also always book special treatments in a series to help you get more for your money. For instance, you should always have laser hair removal booked in several different appointments. It helps cut the cost and ensures you’ll be able to follow through with treatments.

4. Join a Club
When it comes to some spas there is nothing quite like the savings of a club membership. There are many clubs that provide you with discounts, so if you tend to frequent the spa quite a bit then this might be something you should look into. For instance, many social clubs offer their members coupons, gift cards and early insights on sales which can save thousands of dollars during the year. Some clubs will even make weekend trips to the spa, so for a flat price you can be transported to the spa and receive a special package that all of your club friends are enjoying too. A lot of spa are actually creating their own special clubs for clients who like to frequent their establishment. Many of these rewards programs offer discounts, or a free treatment after so many purchases or visits. So, if you find yourself spending more time at the spa ask about any rewards or research them on the internet.

5. Group Retreats
There is nothing quite as fun as going on an outing with your best friends, especially if that outing is some time spent at the spa. For many, a spa retreat is something that needs to be done at least once a year in order to keep in touch with old friends. This is great in many regards, but when it comes to your budget is is absolutely fantastic. A lot of spas and resorts will actually help group visits save some money if you mention you are booking as a group when you call in to make a reservation. Typically, groups help make the spa more money as it as a lot of people getting the same treatments. This makes it easy to lump people in together so other rooms are freed up for single clients. So, spas can easily lump the price of the group together and then add a little discount so each individual visitor ends up paying less. Group retreats also mean you will be saving on transportation and lodging fees as you can easily share the price of the trip with others.

6. Winter
One way to take the burden off a spa retreat is to book during the winter months. Typically, people tend to head to the spa during the long days of summer when they have time off work and want to relax more. In the cooler months, people are bustling around with work or trying to manage a holiday budget. This frees up a whole lot of space in the spa which means the spa needs to work harder to fill those empty slots. With the empty space in the spa most businesses will come up with exciting promotions to get people back into the resort. Winter is also one of the more comfortable times to visit the spa as the warm temperatures will help cheer you up and get you feeling refreshed so going back to work isn’t as tough. It is also a good time to get a massage as the muscles tend to be more tense and holiday stress tends to build up your tension.

7. No Extras
One way that you might end up draining your budget during a spa trip is saying yes to some of the little extras the spa might offer. When you enter a spa you should always remember that everything comes at price. This will help you when a staff member offers you something. Even though it might seem like a casual offer usually spas don’t offer anything for free, unless it is otherwise stated. So, if a staff member seems to be offering you something to make your life better you should ask what the rate is just to be safe. A lot of the time people will sit in the spa and accept drinks, food, or smaller items like a foot massage and expect it all to be part of the spa experience. This leads to some very scary bills when you check out of the spa though. So, in order to avoid you child’s college fund being wiped out over the weekend try to stick to things you already paid for or know for a fact are free.

8. Visit a School
If you’re looking for a simple spa experience, like a massage or a facial then nothing beats visiting a massage school. A lot of massage schools will offer an open house to guests who are looking to get a simple procedure. This is designed to give the students first hand experience for their future trade while enticing real people to offer their bodies as a teaching aid. Since you aren’t technically getting a massage from a professional, even though a teacher may step in from time to time and will always be supervising, you won’t have to pay the same price as you would at a spa. Sometimes, you might even end up getting a massage for nothing more than your time. For many students this experience is incredibly important for their success in school, so keep in mind that you might be asked to provide honest feedback. Even though you might end up spending a bit more time in the school than you would at a professional studio you will still end up spending a whole lot less.

9. Research
When it comes to visiting a spa you can get a whole lot for your money if you simply do a little research before booking. For instance, many spas will give you access to their steam room, pool and other amazing facilities for the day if you pay for one massage. Most people will show up to the massage appointment and leave directly afterward, which could be a waste of money. A lot of spas will add a small fee to all of their services that takes care of these facilities, so you could end up losing some of the money you paid if you just leave. Another great way to save is to look up the spa you’re going to be visiting before you book. Try to find out what each package contains and the rules and obligations of the spa. Sometimes you might end up buying a package that features items you don’t want or you might find out that the massages you’re booking are too short. Knowing everything about your procedures will help you make the best decisions. Of course, researching your spa will also make you privy to the sales you may encounter.

10. Stay Home
If you’re looking to save a whole lot of money then you should consider staying home. There are so many spa products on the market today that you’ll feel like you’re in a five star resort without leaving the house. There are numerous massage oils on the market that are perfect for a romantic night in with a date or spouse that are also looking for a little break from the real world. There are even a good number of facial products that can turn a night out with the girls into a night in at the spa. You might even find that staying in becomes a new tradition that creates tons of memories for you and your loved ones.

Spending some time at the spa can be the key to debunking the stress you’re experiencing. Of course, the key to getting rid of stress isn’t to add more financial burden to the list. With these easy tips you’ll be able to find the peace you’re looking for without forcing yourself to lose your control on your finances, which can be one of the best feelings money can’t buy.