AIBU to ask for small free/cheap things that cheer you up.

[IDinnaKen]

Bearing in mind that the price of pretty much everything is shooting up, things like a favourite chocolate bar or coffee from the shops as a treat, or a relaxing soak in the bath with some fancy bubble might be out of reach for many soon.

What are some free/cheap things to look forward to?
How are people building up resilience to what will come especially by winter?

I really hope this doesn’t come across as insensitive, but…In all honesty, I feel like so many people I know (myself included) haven’t had to overthink budgets and spending. Not that we live a lavish lifestyle, far from it. But we are comfortable enough to not worry about being able to afford to pay the bills. (Perhaps it is a generational thing… as we haven’t had to struggle to afford things like previous generations.) Now, so many things are changing, we will have to adapt but I'm worried that I won’t be able to enjoy even simple pleasures.

I think this is the most tone deaf comment I have ever seen!

Candles on at any time of the day.

Using a foot roller for ten mins then foot cream and fresh socks.

Totally agree with PP re cup of tea in a cup and saucer with a biscuit.

Cheap organisational storage from Amazon/eBay and reorganising a messy cupboard or drawer.

Singing with my choir. £4 a session but so worth it. Boosts my mood no end.

Running in the rain

For me :

The library

A long walk

Snuggle up on the sofa with a soft blanket and a cup of tea

Gardening (collect and dry your seeds from your own plants or the veg you have for your dinner, then swap with other gardening neighbour's, compost your own waste, makes it free)

Kid centred

Library

Park

Picnic

Fishing (collect worms in your garden for free bait, you do have to pay your fishing licence though)

Beach day

Feeding the ducks (use left over vegetables and garden veg scraps)

Nature scavenger hunts

Arts and crafts

Climb a tree
Do some sewing (free patterns and a duvet from a charity shop or Facebook marketplace)
Draw or paint something like an apple
Hand write a letter to a friend you’ve not seen for a while.

Having a clear out and finding spare bedsheets/towels/jeans that are now less worn than your current ones, so it’s a free upgrade

Painting nails
Bubble bath
Face Mask
Baking- and giving some away to a friend/neighbour
Walk in a new area- take a flask of coffee to sit and enjoy
Yoga
Feeding birds/ducks
Puzzle book
Sticking in some cheesy music to dance to
Booking in a meet up with friends
Charity shop rummage

Meeting a friend for a walk and a chat.

Get lots of fresh air. Even if the weather isn't great, find interesting places nearby and go for walks.

Eat well and stay clear of ultra processed food. I know people may have tight budgets but eating lots of veg, fruit and homemade meals will keep you healthier, help energy levels, moods and improve wellbeing.

Visiting family and friends or inviting them over for tea or cheap dinner, or better still, to a 'bring a dish' meal.

Do a free course or learn about something you find interesting.

Declutter and tidy house. Make it cosy and it's then lovely to sit and read, listen to music or watch some tv.

🤦🏼‍♀️How to totally miss the point of a thread

Changing bed sheets

Reading my kindle in bed

Going for a walk in the woods/by water

A swim

Lighting a candle

Shaving my legs/putting some make up on/general self care

30 mins HIIT 5x a week

My local library has a ‘Libby’ app which allows you to download for free magazines like Vogue, Grazia, New Yorker, Heat, Closer, Cosmopolitan, Viz , and 100s of others. And papers. I still go for real books, but they are downloadable too. I know data or Wi-Fi is needed, but that can be free in many town centres or libraries too.

Putting on scented lotion

Lying in bed with a galaxy projector on

Buying a magazine and reading it in the park

Homemade chai tea

Doing a face mask

YES. Love doing this. So invigorating.

A hot pamper bath, though not that cheap soon probably!

This is as free as it gets. When I get up for a wee in the night, throw the covers off so the bed cools. Then jump back in bed, fluff the pillow up and pull the cool covers over and snuggle back down.

In no particular order:

• walking outdoors. In every weather!
• taking time to notice the small things - flowers blooming, animals growing etc
• reading. Join your library. You don't even need to physically visit if that's costly, most have digital books you can download for free
• art - doesn't have to be fancy, doodle on the back of an envelope, or nab one of the DC's of colouring books! Or paint a rock and hide it locally for others to find
• teach the DC the games you played as a child - so much fun!
• volunteer. Giving your time or talent is so rewarding and can be as little or as much as you want
• exercise - check out free videos and classes online, YouTube etc
• chat to a friend or relative you haven't seen in a while
• tell stories. Especially ones about you growing up, your parents, grandparents etc. Better still, write them down as a family.
• cleaning/ decluttering.
• Freecycle (both donating and receiving)
• take an online course, there are tonnes of free ones to choose from

- scavenger hunt (indoors or outdoors)

• help DC learn a new skill (cooking, DIY, long division...)
• gaming - board games, card games or online. There are loads of free online games with fantastic communities to join in with
• build a fort and spend the day playing on it. DC optional! 😆
• take a virtual holiday. Google street view and walk around a city you've always wanted to visit, take the free virtual tours of museums etc

Some new stationery, even a little list pad brightens my day

Bright lipstick

Having a lie in
organising my sewing things
clearing out my make up drawer

Fresh sheets

Watching animals in nature. Sat in our garden last night watching the bats, went a quick walk and spotted a hedgehog and fox etc.

Bird IQ app - hold it up in nature and it tells you which bird is singing at that time, I love it. Makes me feel so present

A walk or bike ride to a destination- a cheap drink or snack as a treat then walk/ride home

Picking blackberries

Sitting under a tree and daydreaming or just watching the world pass by

Stroking a dog or cat

Chatting to a friendly stranger

Politeness and friendliness

A stroll around IKEA and then a cheap snack at the end

A hug

Sex

Being stuck in a rainstorm somewhere sheltered

Spotting and watching a hot air balloon

Listening to buskers (not free as I always give some money 😉)

Libraries - like little sanctuaries - and ours now put on so many free events or for a very small cost - plays, live music, workshops etc

Home grown veg /fruit/flowers with a donation box outside someone’s house

When people leave (nice things not rubbish) they no longer need - we got a lovely bench recently for free. Spurred me on to do the same thing and place things in need of a new home outside our house - all gone so quickly and so nice to see peoples eyes light up

Reading positive affirmations on Pinterest - sounds sad but gives me a boost

Doing something for someone else - an errand, chore etc.

Reading a book in the garden.

Sitting at the table to have breakfast.

A good cup of tea.

eeeh now...when you think of it, it might only be like 30p a shower maybe?
But yes initial outlay is quite big

Yes that’s true! Good point

Learning to draw from a free you tube video with my child.
Baking easy biscuits and giving some to neighbours
Brushing my hair thoroughly.
Soaking my feet in some hot bubbly water
Watching a film from my childhood
Ringing a friend
Cleaning my shoes
Dancing in my lounge
Tidying my clothes in my drawers
Painting my toenails.
Lighting a candle and setting the table for dinner.
Laying next to my sleeping child
A decent hot chocolate with marshmallows and cream
A wordsearch
Colouring in
Trying to do a headstand or other new skill.