Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

What is a cheap/ simple/ uncomplicated habit (or thing) that you started following (or bought) that dramatically changed your life for the better...

389 replies

Bookbooks · 14/04/2023 18:04

That's it really.
Same if you had the same effect with abandoning a habit or a thing.
Looking for inspiration.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
McSlowburn · 15/04/2023 00:11

BenCoopersSupportWren · 14/04/2023 18:33

Not saving nice things “for best”.

Use your prettiest china, wear the expensive perfume, light the posh candle you were given as a present. You’re a long time dead!

This!

Decades ago I'd been single for a while and saw a postcard in a shop that said "Every day should be a best knicker day". I promptly went and spent my (weekly) wages on some lovely Lejaby underwear sets (not sure they exist anymore).

They made me feel amazing and lasted for years, and soon after I met my now DH.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 15/04/2023 00:22

Joseph&Joseph Microwave Rice Cooker . Perfect every time

Cats - just having them in the house , taking up the chairs , larding on the bed . Gives a warm glow and makes a house a Home .

Water . Lots

Giving up cgocolate except very special occasions

Mamanyt · 15/04/2023 00:34

Stopped smoking. I do not say "quit," because there is actually a packet of cigarettes in my freezer, and I may smoke one over the course of 2-3 days (take a puff or two, put it out, take another puff or two the next day). I've had the pack in there for about a year, and two are gone from it. Oddly, the fact that they are there actually makes it easier for me NOT to smoke. Oh, and I NEVER smoke indoors.

McSlowburn · 15/04/2023 00:34

Krustykrabpizza · 14/04/2023 20:39

Oh and on the less effort side, I download a face exercise/yoga app. Ten mins a day following the app and my double chin has gone, skin much better and firmer and lips plumper. Do it while I'm watching TV in the evening

Wow. Can you post a link to this?

PussBilledDuckyPlait · 15/04/2023 00:34

Strawberrypicnic · 14/04/2023 22:02

"Don't let perfect be the enemy of good"

I really like this one.

passthegingordon · 15/04/2023 00:37

Checking online bank account every morning.

passthegingordon · 15/04/2023 00:39

@Mamanyt Interesting! Are they still 'smokable'?

Maple2023 · 15/04/2023 00:42

Preparing food. As in I bought Pyrex dishes that have clip on lids, you can cook in them/microwave/freeze
So I batch cook with them but also have stuff ready to grab like egg mayo, washed fruit, grated cheese, salads, cous cous etc
I'm much more likely to eat the good stuff if it's there and ready for me!

Not cheap but peloton. I had to quit exercise due to a severe exercise allergy and was miserable. The NHS approved a life changing drug, I could exercise again and I bought a peloton, didn't realise how much it helps my mental health

If anyone wants the 60 day free app trial (you don't need the bike to do the weights/yoga/barre/meditation etc) just PM me. I don't gain anything from it Grin I just genuinely want to share it

Mamanyt · 15/04/2023 00:44

passthegingordon · 15/04/2023 00:39

@Mamanyt Interesting! Are they still 'smokable'?

Yep. It's freezing them in an airtight freezer bag that does it.

passthegingordon · 15/04/2023 00:48

@Mamanyt That's blown my mind a bit and will give it a go!

Mamanyt · 15/04/2023 00:54

passthegingordon · 15/04/2023 00:48

@Mamanyt That's blown my mind a bit and will give it a go!

Suck all the air out of the bag before sealing it. LOL, I seal all but the last corner of the bag, stick a plastic drinking straw in it, suck out the air, and seal. BTW...doing that to your bread bags will keep the bread fresh a lot longer, as well. It's the air that causes the staling.

McSlowburn · 15/04/2023 00:54

cluefu · 14/04/2023 22:07

Wax earplugs as opposed to foam earplugs. I was dubious but heard Sara Cox rave about them and they really are so much more effective!

Oh gosh yes! The foam ones are rubbish.

passthegingordon · 15/04/2023 01:06

@Mamanyt Amazing. Can't believe I'm writing this but... how long does a fag take to defrost?

Mamanyt · 15/04/2023 01:09

passthegingordon · 15/04/2023 01:06

@Mamanyt Amazing. Can't believe I'm writing this but... how long does a fag take to defrost?

LOL, I have no clue. I pull one out, walk to the front porch, and light it.

passthegingordon · 15/04/2023 01:10

@Mamanyt I'm in awe 😂

Groutyonehereagain · 15/04/2023 01:20

I got a dog. She’s completely brilliant and makes me walk twice a day. I love her so much. 🐶❤️

Matchymatchylemonscratchy · 15/04/2023 01:44

Far less time online. Deleting Twitter helped and I haven’t been on FB in a long time.

Meal planning before doing a grocery shop and using click and collect.

Low carb way of eating.

Buying way less “stuff”.

Only one coffee a day, not 2-3.

Mamanyt · 15/04/2023 01:51

passthegingordon · 15/04/2023 01:10

@Mamanyt I'm in awe 😂

Don't forget the bread! Suck the air out of the bag, throw it in the fridge, NOT the freezer, and it will stay fresh for almost a month.

CobraChicken · 15/04/2023 02:58

@lazytownie

No, it's not as expensive as a Rolex, but still a lot of money for my (student) son to have spent on me and it is a potentially stealable item. It's an expensive handbag, when I only ever buy myself Fossil brand ones 😆

I'm going to take the risk because I live >2000 miles away from where he's living, so it's not like he's got many other opportunities to see me appreciating his gift 🙂

PickleMcPickle · 15/04/2023 03:22

McSlowburn · 15/04/2023 00:34

Wow. Can you post a link to this?

Show quote history

I'm watching for the same link. There seems so much interest in this app, it probably needs it's own thread.

IamtheDevilsAvocado · 15/04/2023 05:59

LolaSmiles · 14/04/2023 18:14

Viewing purchases in terms of time Vs money.
Eg. "To buy this top would be X hours work" rather than "what a nice top. It's only £X"

Deciding to reduce short car journeys had a knock on effect on increasing walking and reducing going for top up shops just because we've run out of something that we can do without. It saved us money.

I do the thing with hkw many hours of my net monthly income must i work to buy this. Acts as good disincentive.... Well sometimes!

macaroonsandgin · 15/04/2023 06:23

Moredarkchocolateplease · 14/04/2023 18:14

5 years ago I bought some home weights and cancelled my gym membership.

I started doing Joe Wicks and then moved on to other YouTube workouts.

I am as strong as I was when I worked out at the gym. I have flexibility in my routine and I can workout v early in the day before the gym is even open!

I've added TRX straps and kettle bells and yoga blocks.

I've prob spent 150 on my home gym in the garage and saved many hundreds.

This is inspiring!! What kit do you have in your home gym and how often do you work out? I would love to be able to create a routine that I can stick to consistently so would love any tips. Major respect to you 💪

Natsku · 15/04/2023 06:26

Started exercising (fitness boxing at the moment) and having a cold shower afterwards, and switching off screens much earlier in the evening so I have more time to read. The former makes my body feel good, the latter makes my mind feel good.

Whichnumbers · 15/04/2023 06:30

Using a bike for all trips under 4 miles

i use the car about once a week now and I feel so much better getting exercise everyday. I sleep better & have lost weight

it’s a simple rule and has also saved me about £40 a month

Moredarkchocolateplease · 15/04/2023 06:32

@macaroonsandgin i have the following:
1kg
3kg
5kg dumbells

4kg kettlebells x2
6kg
8kg
12kg kettlebells

TRX straps (amazon fakes) connected to the wall

Two gym mats as the floor is filthy and made of raw concrete!

Also it's a wooden frame garage, halfway up the wall I have a box wedged in to rest my phone on!

Oh I also keep some straps, a pilates ring and foam rollers out there.

All the weights came from aldi over the years. DD uses the 1kg ones!

If you are buying, try to get them as small as possible for the weight they are. I was in tesco yesterday and saw their 5kg weights were absolutely massive, probably a third bigger than my weights. It makes it much harder to manoeuvre them if they are physically big. Also look for ones that won't make your hands slippy. I bought some kettle bells from aldi last year which have slippy plastic handles. I'd go for metal kettlebell handles and metal dumbells or ones with a grippy surface.

Hope that helps!