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

If you look at your library website it should tell you, you need a library card number. If you aren't a member you can join online.

Netflix. £5.99 a month is pretty good for an inexhaustible (although I'm doing my best) supply of telly and films.

My 2 rescue cats. They fill my life with joy

My tiny little secateurs for pruning house plants and small garden plants . £4.99 I think on Amazon. I love seeing bulbs in Spring. I moved in November but excited to see there are some appearing in this garden. Just discovered podcasts and amazed how many there are to listen to. My current favourite is the declutterhub.com. I am finally getting inspired and gaining space in my new house.

So many good ideas! Great thread. Shamelessly placemarking now.

Fabulous 50s exercise videos on YouTube. I'm fitter now than I've been in a long time.

A tool that helps open bottles and cans.

Lectio365 prayer app.

A jigsaw app on my phone. A new free jigsaw each day, although they're a bit repetitive. BUT it means no jigsaws taking up space in my small house, and I go into a sort of meditative state when doing them which has been very helpful during lockdowns...

BBC IPlayer and other catch up services. Television does not dictate when to go to bed, eat or other things, or lead to missing programmes I want to watch.

@lessstressedhemum I LOVE the Lectio365 app.

Also my Audible subscription. Listening to Jeeves and Wooster atm is perfect escapism.

Thanks to this thread, I went to have a look at Readly and they're doing a 60 day free trial for the next few days!

I received a Kindle for Christmas, with 3 months free Kindle unlimited. I love it as I read so much. Will definitely keep up with the membership. It will save me a fortune.

A months free Amazon prime. Had to buy new exercise books for my DD as she’d filled her school issued ones up and hadn’t gotten new ones before lockdown. They arrived the next day.

Kudd.ly weighted blanket at £49. I sleep so much better with it

Could you possibly give me name of the jigsaw app?

Great thread.

I’m another who loves the Readly app. I read all my usual favourites, and then something random I’ve never looked at before that I’m not even much interested in - except I always then find an interesting article or insight so feel as if I’m learning something and not just looking at lovely pictures.

We have started putting the DC in school uniform every morning, inspired by their much older cousins whose schools have insisted upon it since lockdown 1. The change in behaviour is amazing and it’s reduced the laundry piles too.

We have started having dinner by candlelight every night. Even fishfingers are improved by the romantic atmosphere.

I invested in very posh soap and shampoo so can really enjoy my shower each day.

Dry January has been amazing. I drink Fever Tree tonic on its own with lots of ice and don’t miss the gin at all. Tempted to continue because it’s so nice not to wake up dopey.

Inspired by this thread I bought a couple of £1 bunches of daffodils this week and they are lovely so thanks for the tip

I have two cheap bird feeders from Wilko and I love seeing the birds in the garden - we live in a very urban area and it’s like our garden is a little oasis.