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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Happiness that you can get for free or won't be affected by the raising cost of living

156 replies

SophieHasOneQuestion · 10/03/2022 19:33

Unfortunately, it seems everyone is cutting back, myself included. Let's share things that give you happiness and satisfaction for free (or almost free). So life can still be fun and worth living in these difficult times.

I go to a weekend philosophy club (held in a park), which is free, it gives me intellectual stimulation and makes me happy.

OP posts:
AliasGrape · 10/03/2022 21:24

@SpittinKitten

You don't need a license to use/listen to BBC Sounds, *@AliasGrape , so you can* count it as a freebie Smile
Oh really? That’s great.

We use iplayer a lot anyway so i always kind of lumped it in with that, but great for anyone who doesn’t do tv!

LowlandLucky · 10/03/2022 21:36

Sitting in my garden with my DH and a cuppa watching the sunset over the islands or watching the sunrise over the hills. A walk along the beach on a blustery day is hard to beat.

Manekinek0 · 10/03/2022 21:39

Our local library, I absolutely love the staff and the selection of books is amazing. On a related note we (not sure if all areas) get access to press reader with our library card number so I read magazines for free too.

Not free but I like the cheap bubble baths at Lidl. Maybe I am easily pleased but a nice bath and a podcast feels like a treat.

Wartywart · 10/03/2022 21:43

In some ways it's lucky we've been through lockdown(s) because we are all now practised in how to make the best of our time with nothing being open on which to spend our money. Now that we can no longer afford the things which are available to us, it's an easy switch to put ourselves into semi-lockdown mode.

Bigoldmachine · 10/03/2022 21:44

Not exactly free if you don’t have a chess set but we bought a Hamleys basic one yeeaaaars ago when we had disposable income. Husband and I decided to relearn how to play the other night and we had a great time! Especially as we like to give the pieces dramatic lines to say as they move. “for King and country!” Shrieked the brave pawn sacrificing himself to protect the King. Yes also to reading.

Not free because I use a machine which requires electricity (grrr) but sewing. Perhaps I shall take up hand sewing. I’ve got lots and lots of scraps to use up.

fitzbilly · 10/03/2022 21:44

Going for sea swims. I go every weekend and it completely resets me.

Walks/runs along the beach.

Generally seeing the sea! It's so big and vast and calming and beautiful. I've had a really stressful week at work this week and I'm going to go to the beach in my lunch break tomorrow to help destress me.

Hugs and laughs with my kids and dh.

Gladioli23 · 10/03/2022 21:45

I love going for bike rides - my bike hasn't even needed o puncture repairing for 4 years (touch wood!) So the sum total cost is a £4 of oil from Aldi two years ago.

Library books and walks. Home made pizzas (total cost about £1 each).

Saying hello to the moon.

Northernsoullover · 10/03/2022 21:47

My dance fitness group. Its not free of course but I get a huge thrill every time I go.

MushMonster · 10/03/2022 21:50

Reading
Walking
Actually talking to people, not on line, but in the flesh
Playing board games, quizzes
Arts and crafts with the children

Manekinek0 · 10/03/2022 21:56

@fitzbilly are you in the UK? If so how did you get used to the cold water. I can't seem to not hyperventilate no matter how much I try to relax!

Ibizafun · 10/03/2022 21:58

One of our kittens almost died from a nasty illness and by some miracle we saved it. I get so much pleasure watching his happiness and loving his life.

OfstedOffred · 10/03/2022 22:02

Walks in the local woods!! Looking forward to the bluebells coming.

Blackberry picking in summer.

Feeding the ducks at the local pond.

Annoyedtoomuch · 10/03/2022 22:07

I love the idea of philosophy in the park!

Great post OP. Thank you.

Mine are;
Enjoying nature - noticing the details. Even in winter you can find beauty - like raindrops on branches. I enjoyed seeing the first primrose today. I love listening to birds sing. Love walks along the coast, hills, woodlands.

Watching children play. Listening to what they have to say. Children are just a huge source of joy for me.

Picnics. Whatever the weather (except rain)

We love board games.

Kitchen disco.

For me - galleries. DC not so much sadly.

Hellorhighwater · 10/03/2022 22:10

I would love to live near the sea. Here, it would probably cost me fifty quid to get to it! I can walk outside, though and do, every day. It’s about as low cost as you can get, and will dry out soon and there will be bluebells and green leaves.

Audiobooks and music (on YouTube or the radio) Yoga with Adrienne (or Sarah Beth. She spams you a bit, though, if you register). Podcasts and blogs on YouTube (watch the ads, and people get paid. Win-win!)

Reading (library, if you like. I think ours is open from 2.47pm to 3.01 on Fridays every other full moon, or something, so I tend to borrow from friends or a swap, or read books I already own again)

Catching up with friends (can save money if you take turns hosting, and your heating can be off while you’re at theirs)

Naps. Naps are totally free. I adore naps. (Because. Children). Also, early nights.

Decluttering. I find clear, uncluttered spaces pleasing and relaxing, and being broke has definitely helped a lot! I may have been buying more tat that was good for me! I have kept notes of all the things I’ve wanted and haven’t bought because I am skint, and I haven’t added much, it’s pretty much stayed the same. Ironically, there are several hundred pounds-worth of plants and few thousand of sheds/greenhouse etc that I’m eagerly coveting, and I’m laughing at gardening being ‘free’ (of course, it can be low cost too. I just like spending money on it!) lots of local garden societies etc will do seed swaps and trade cuttings if you really need help to get started. (You need compost, unless you scrounge or make some)

Helping - Volunteering. Our local community centre does loads. Various coffee mornings (some free), litter picks, chatting with people who are struggling, a free youth club, and village resources, from posting letters to distributing whatever people need (they have resources from grants)

Last year we got some frogspawn from a local pond and watched the tadpoles grow into frogs (in a bucket. In the sitting room. DD loved it. We put them back where we got them from). Feeding the ducks (not with the frogs!) petting dogs you meet (is borrowmydoggy free?)

Some things aren’t free (like say knitting or or pebble pictures) but if you were to ask on a local group for yarn and needles because you were on your uppers and wanted to keep busy, you’d be drowning in donations of yarn and needles, and there are tonnes of free patterns and tutorials online. Knit nights or groups are often super low cost, or free.

Learning. Again, not always free, but the library and t’inernet can get you started with learning about things - languages, singing, history, culture. Loads of stuff.

Bingo (diy at home) and quizzes like ding bats, for groups. Card games (well, cards cost money, but pennies and you can do so much with them)

Treasure hunts. There is nothing mine would rather do than follow daft clues around. Puzzles and crosswords are often available online. Shadow puppets.

Some crafts are either free, very low cost or the stuff can be easily obtained by asking if anyone has stuff they are gifting.

gingerhills · 10/03/2022 22:11

Piano music on the radio or just streaming from my laptop. It seems to fill the air in the house.

Walking, especially in nature. But even just a street walk - had an hour today after lunch, just admiring the crocuses and blossom and magnolias coming out in front gardens.

Same with night skies. Just take a moment to enjoy the moon's changing stages, the stars, the clouds.

Same with birds. I do buy seed but even if you don't, they still hang out in the garden, pecking at branches.

Silly radio shows - ISIHAC, News Quiz, Would I Lie to You etc. The more you listen the more it feels like a club, with in jokes.

Library books. Find a quiet sunny spot and just lose yourself in a story.

Free online meditation, yoga, HIIT, Ted talks etc. I haven't even explored podcasts yet but will.

Art galleries and museums - the permanent collections are usually free. Buskers and free lunch time concerts.

Cuddling my cat. He is not free. He is actually quite expensive due to ongoing medical issues. But cuddling him is free and he is very good at it.

Freecycle! I used to use it all the time when DC were small and we had less money. We were given musical instruments, toys and sports equipment in really good condition. We gave away toys, instruments, craft stuff etc and lots of baby stuff in good condition.

gingerhills · 10/03/2022 22:12

Oh yes - free online courses. I've done some really interesting ones.

Camomila · 10/03/2022 22:14

Having dinner and watching tv while cuddling the DC after I get home from work (have recently gone back up to 5 days a week from 3)

Making the effort to go to Mass - there's a coffee morning in the hall straight after full of DS1s friends from school.

Taking DS1 swimming at the weekend, us both going to the swimming pool together on the bus works out cheaper than lessons and we can stay in the water longer. (We will restart lessons eventually when we can find a space on a not afterschool club day).

Blackcatsocks · 10/03/2022 22:15

Not really free but cleansing and moisturising my face. I like double cleansing with an oil and hot cloth plus foaming cleanser. I like spending time on my skin.

vixeyann · 10/03/2022 22:18

Getting out on my mountain bike - great exercise with the family and a mood boost being outside. I help once a week with neighbour's ponies - always makes me feel happy and relaxed.

Forgothowmuchlhatehomeschoolin · 10/03/2022 22:20

Doing park run every Saturday- great start to the weekend and gives me a good feeling all week.

Ylvamoon · 10/03/2022 22:23

I can't wait for BST, nothing gives me more pleasure than days getting longer and being able to enjoy a walk in the Park after dinner.

Smokeahontas · 10/03/2022 22:28

My niece. Seeing her learn and grow as a little person. Watching her seeing new things for the first time. Wondering what she’s thinking. She fascinates me.

My dog. I love him very dearly. He knows when I’m upset or down and will just sit next to me. He has kept me going sometimes.

Gregsprinkles · 10/03/2022 22:29

@EdgeOfSeventeenAndThreeQuarter
Also lots of beach walks, collecting pebbles I’ll mark my beds with
It took me a moment but you mean in the garden don't you? I was trying to work out how someone would use them in their actual beds 😂

Luredbyapomegranate · 10/03/2022 22:30

A walk anywhere green
Or through interesting architecture
Walking with a friend
A great cup of tea
Sitting in the morning sun
Getting into bed with clean sheets
Swimming in the river or sea
Yin / Restorative yoga
A good book (library or cheap 2nd hand)
Podcasts - lots are free
Some of R4
Great docs on BBC iplayer or All4
Beautiful churches or Cathedrals
Going to a gallery or museum and just looking at a few things

Sportslady44 · 10/03/2022 22:30

Sitting in the garden, going walking, having a dance.

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