In this tight economy, spa treatments and salon appointments are luxuries many people can't afford anymore. But there are some ways to get pampered for pennies.

Picture yourself in a quiet room with dimmed lights and soothing music, an hour-long massage melting away the stress of the day.

At a typical spa, you'd pay $65 to $100 or more, so imagine getting bill for only $30.

At a typical hair salon, you can expect to pay $100 to have your hair colored. Therese Mickelson gets the same services for $50.

This best-kept secret in personal care is spreading like wildfire. Rejuvenating facials, much needed manicures for about half the price of a traditional salon or spa. It's quality pampering at massage and beauty training schools.

The concept is simple. After hundreds of hours in the classroom, and working on each other, students need real customers. This way, the students get that experience. And you get a big fat discount.

Here's what you need to know: The $30 massages are at Cortiva Institute in Seattle. You need an appointment. The price goes up to $35 in January.

You can get discount hair and nail care at the Gene Juarez Academy of Beauty in Seattle.

And you can save a bundle on nail, body and skin care - like facials for $45 - at the Euro Institute of Skin Care in Renton.

Of course, there are trade-offs. The biggest is time.

Since the students are polishing their skills, they're under supervision so you have to allow extra time for observation and feedback.

Don't expect extra amenities -- no big fluffy robes, soaking tubs or nice sauna to sit in afterward. And you may not always get the same student.

But the way appointment books are filling up, a growing number of consumers find the trade-offs well worth it.

While there are a number of beauty and massage schools in this area, the Problem Solvers chose Cortiva, Gene Juarez and Euro Institute because of their strong reputations both in this region and within the industry.

More information:

Cortiva Institute of Seattle

Euro Institute of Skin Care

Gene Juarez Academy