You too can live like James Bond

With many people aspiring to share James Bond's exciting lifestyle, Emma Roberts reveals how you can become Bond on a budget.

Some people have it all. Designer suits, cars that go so fast that your eyes bleed, envy inducing gadgets, super ninja skills and even the ability to make drinking martinis seem cool.

Yes, James Bond is a masculine idol of our time and more and more men (and women) aspire to step into his well polished shoes.

But is there any hope of us mere mortals living like the successful suave spy without our budget self-destructing? Sure there is!

Look the part

No one’s going to believe that you’re a mean, lean, yet smooth talking, spying machine if you look like you’ve just rolled out of bed and into some cheap looking tracksuit bottoms.

Bond always oozes with exquisite and expensive style but, don’t fret, you can replicate this without having to sell your house.

The wondrous world wide web offers a multitude of frugal fashion opportunities for wannabe spies. If you want to get your hands on some designer threads, visit www.swapholix.co.uk and you could working the luxurious suit look in no time.

What’s more, it’s completely free as long as you offer something in exchange for your new elegant attire. Check out looksbetteronyou.com for another website packed full of swish swaps.

If you’ve got a bit of extra cash hidden up your sleeve, then Brown Bag Clothing is the place to visit to get top-end designer deals at heavily discounted prices. Bond Babes should feast their eyes on girlmeetsdress.com.

This fabulous jewel of the internet is an absolute fashion Mecca, which allows you to rent out jaw-dropping designer dresses at a smidgen of their retail price.

Get the gear

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Now that you’re suited and booted why not enjoy showing off some cutting edge gadgets to your envious mates?

To some, this might seem like a bog standard writing tool. However, to you it’s your new best friend that’ll get you out of any sticky situation.

This 13 in 1 Multi-tool pen really is mightier than the sword. Packing more tools than can be found in your local garage and costing £9.99, this little gadget is a necessity for any aspiring Bond.

Cameras are an essential piece of the spy artillery but why go for a bog standard happy snapper when you could have a discreet secret camera snake?

Yes, this clever gizmo can take pictures discreetly and the bendy, water proof scope means you can take pictures anywhere.

At £29.99, it’s a reasonable price for a specialist camera but if you’re looking for more of a quick pic fix, try this Polaroid 300 instant Analogue Camera, for £79.99.

For more cheap gadget buys, check out Gadgetshop.com, which features Bond-tas-tic budget buys, such as this Earspy Listening Device for just £2.50.

Spy School

Looking like a secret agent is much more exciting if you’re indulging in some spy-themed extra-curricular activities. If you can’t afford a super sports car, then why not rent one?

Cruising around your neighbourhood in a deluxe Aston Martin supercar for the day will set you back a hefty £495.00 from erento.co.uk.

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Although cheaper than buying one, few of us would actually even consider paying that amount but if you have an unquenchable thirst for a thrill, you could always treat yourself to a supercar experience day.

For £78.50 you could be behind the wheel of a Aston Martin V8, speeding around a race track, humming the James Bond theme.

But Mr Bond doesn’t just stick to the tarmac, he also takes to the seas and skies.

To replicate a high speed boat chase, Virgin experience days offer a Zapcat Powerboat experience for £99 and if you’re not afraid of heights why not try your hand at an introductory flying lesson, also for £99.

For serious Bond fanatics, there’s only one experience that’ll turn you into a fully-fledged spy.

The Spy Games Experience costs £225 but offers a whole day dedicated to giving you an elite agent master class. Not only will you learn how to use specialist equipment and weapons but you’ll also be given a crash course in high speed driving skills. Oh, and you’ll also learn how to defuse a bomb.

Hidden extras

No self respecting secret agent would be seen relaxing without a trusty martini. For a free online guide to cocktails, check out www.drinkinghabits.com. And then head over to Argos to buy a stainless steel cocktail shaker for £12.99.

Finally, Bond’s ability as a spy is only matched by his impeccable playing card skills. Unfortunately, only fictional characters win at cards every night. Here at lovemoney.com, we think gambling is one of the worst things you can do with your money. But if you disagree and are determined to play cards for money, then at least set yourself some responsible limits and play only with money you can afford to lose - or even better, play like Bond, with money that isn't your own. 

Believe it or not, some gambling websites will offer you free money to play with for the first time, or give you free money as cashback if you sign up through a cashback wesbite. Alternatively, you could have a poker night with friends where you set the maximum amount any of you could lose at a sum all of you can afford, like £5.

Just don't get hooked. It's not worth it.

The fact is, being Bond doesn’t mean you have to be a billionaire, so if you've got any tips of your own about how you can live like Bond on a budget let us know using the comments box below!

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