Hot tubs and saunas are not as expensive as they used to be and having your own hot tub could very well turn out to be one of the most enjoyable upgrades you make to your home.

So what do you look for in a hot tub? How do you choose the one that's right for you? A good start is to answer to the following questions before you go shopping:

1 - What is your budget? At the low end you'll find hot tubs near the $2,000 dollar mark. At the high end, you can pay as much as $20,000. The difference in cost will be based on things such as the size of the hot tub, the features, the quality of the materials, and so on. So determine your general price point and move on from there.

2 - Who will use the hot tub? Will it be for family use only? Will it be used for parties? The smallest hot tub would be a two person hot tub. The largest will usually hold up to 10. Ultimately the size you choose may be restricted by your budget.

3 - Do you prefer a free standing hot tub or a built in one? A built in hot tub will cost substantially more. But, from an investment standpoint, it will also add more value to your home and will usually be available with more features.

4 - What features are you looking for? Here the sky is the limit. In an attempt to separate themselves from the crowd, manufacturers are adding features faster than anyone can keep track. Here are some typical ones that you might want to think about:

-- Exercise and therapy swim jets for muscle relaxation.

-- An ozonator - will provide for cleaner water while using less chemicals.

-- Pivoting seats - great for changing the body's position to let the water jets custom massage specific parts of the body.

-- Therapy seats - specially designed for deep muscle therapy, especially back therapy.

-- Chemical feeders - used to infuse stabilized chlorine into the spa's water system.

-- Spa Lights - this is a great way to set the mood. Most spas will have built in lights as an option, but you can add additional portable ones at your leisure to create a customized light show.

There are, of course, many more features than we can list here. The important thing is to not choose the first spa that you see. Educate yourself as to what features are available in your price range. Then make your decision.

5 - Will you install the spa yourself or have it installed? If you are at all handy, you can save a great deal of money by purchasing a spa kit and doing the install yourself. If you decide on a free standing hot tub, the installation process is even simpler.

A home spa is one of those great luxuries that nobody really needs but that can make a world of difference in your quality of life. And what is life for if not to enjoy?