What inexpensive (or even free!) things have made your life better?

[AngeloMysterioso]

There’s a few threads similar to this where people talk about things they have that have improved their lives, but it’s often things like their puppy, or their £350 coffee machine, or their luxury sheepskin slippers etc. So I thought I’d start one where we can show our appreciation for the cheap things that have made life better!

Mine would be...

My crochet hook set which was about £15 from hobbycraft. I haven’t made anything mega-fancy yet and I only buy cheap yarn (the rainbow variegated one from Poundland is a firm favourite) but I’ve spent many a meditative hour with them. They haven’t had much of a look in since I had my baby and started my access course but over the past few evenings I’ve picked up a few wips and felt so much better afterwards.

• my library memberships, which mean I have access to free ebooks, audiobooks and magazines.

• the Hey Bear baby sensory YouTube channel, which I stick on when I need DS to chill the fuck out sit still and be quiet for a little while

[quote Cooltalkin]@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie
What a great idea ! Plates for just us two .. I often see lovely sets but can’t justify the cost ,, but two plates is perfect ![/quote]
They honestly make me happy every tea time!

A game that I pay £3.99 a month for. Songpop. Cheered me up no end, embraced my love of music and I get to know the names of songs I like but didn't know the name of

Kindle unlimited £7.99 per month - I read so much. Previously I would get the 3 for £5 paperbacks in the works and struggle to find charity shops to take the used books . DH bought a kindle about 10 years ago but I never used it, preferring hard copy books . Gave the kindle a try first lockdown and wouldn't be without it now.

Agree with the poster who said premier inns - really comfy beds, great breakfasts .

also marking place on this one.
Bird feeder was £12.50 from Amazon
Love seeing the birds in my garden
(Have since bought more feeders)

Essential oils and a diffuser (you can get a little burner for £ or an electric one a bit more ££). My house smells so lovely! It makes being at home much nicer.

Insight timer app, meditations for sleep especially. Great for me and the eldest who has terrible trouble shutting off. Loads on there, specifically aimed at under 10's, and really pretty and appealing to them too. Free!

Also YY on the pre-chopped onions! Fabulous invention. And generally frozen veg. So much less waste in our house, so its worth the bit more I pay I think, plus its pre chopped so healthy convenience food. Morrisons do a massive range now.

I like visiting charity shops and I am sitting at a chunky old stripped pine table which is exactly the right size but was a bit warped and in need of a clean. I planed the top so it's level and sanded and waxed it. It cost £10 and I've had it years.

Also charity shop books, 4 for £1...hours of pleasure.

Garden plants, where I am small pots of perennials/herbs/succulents are about 6 for £10. They soon grow into larger plants. Years of flowers and foliage.

I like to buy a new duvet cover now and then when on offer. Last one was £10. Freshens up the bedroom.

Living somewhere where I have beautiful countryside on my doorstep. (Doesn’t cost me anything day-to-day but I guess it cost me to buy the house in the first place)

A Reposed subscription.... About £12 a month and it is always a wonderful suprise - a new book I won't have read but always enjoy, a food treat (stroopwaffles, meringue), a beauty treat (face mask, lip balm), a drink (fancy tea/coffee/hot chocolate) and something extra (tea light, book mark). It always surprises me and lifts me.

Can't think of anything to add but loved this thread so place making for later

@SpudsandGravy

Paprika - free iPad app for collecting recipes :)

Looks great, but it’s £4.99 now.

I’ve just remembered the Relax Melodies app- it has every kind of sound effect you can imagine that you can layer together. I’ve made a mix for DS which is basically every rain and storm sound, along with white noise and a lullaby melody- we put it on when we’re getting him ready for bed and he sleeps with it playing through the night (on a cheap as chips Bluetooth speaker)

Not free as such, as I pay Amazon Prime monthly, but the free books as a benefit really make it feel like a bargain

Yes definitely Ravelry, You tube for workouts

BBC good food is an excellent recipe site

Boots recycling

What's Boots recycling?

@Sequinshurt

Not free as such, as I pay Amazon Prime monthly, but the free books as a benefit really make it feel like a bargain

Wait, what??

Free books, you say?

How does one obtain these free books?

Psychologies magazine subscription. I learn something valuable every month

Nice candles

Spotify

Library books

@OhioOhioOhio

What's Boots recycling?

You get reward points for empties but it is a bit fiddly

I really ñike learning Spanish. I love watching RTVE for free with subtitles and reading El País and ABC for free.

I love Ravelry and free patterns on Love Crafts.

I love my public library. Haven't got to grips with digital content yet though.

Kindle cheap book deals.

Nice tea, nice cup, hot shower.

Best of all, setting my alarm half an hour early and reading while waking up slowly with my cup of tea before my hot shower. Free and priceless.

Definitely collecting succulents. I don’t think I’ve ever paid for one, but have a big garden bed full of very diverse ones. Easy to propagate a full plant from just a leaf.

My local nursery keeps the ‘bits that fall off’ during transport or display for me. I swap them with friends and local online community groups.

I buy a smallish bag of succulent-friendly potting mix per year. Lots of meditative time spent setting them, moving them and admiring them. They require so little from me, and give back so much.

I’m developing quite a grey thumb

Plants from Morrisons...£1 for a tiny trailing fuchsia that billowed into a big frothy cascade of flowers from June to November. Also a tray of lobelias bought in the summer for very little. One was still flowering last week.

Also wilko's seeds - Comos - £1 for which I got 100s of flowers

I love this thread, I’ve downloaded 3 apps mentioned already. Can’t wait to play.

Keep them coming!

Oh and to add another: I bought myself a monthly eau de cologne online during our long lockdown. I stuck to ranges I know I’ll probably like (Guerlain Aqua allegoria & 4711 acqua colonia). They are all fresh, unisex scents and really quite cheap if you look around. They made me soooo happy and I’m still spritzing myself, my space, my linen whenever I need a change of mood. You can check out the reviews easily on Fragrantica or just surprise yourself. The only one that wasn’t for me was very appreciated by my DD.

Thank you

Thank you