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.

Having a cup of tea in the garden is the best!
Making a fruit cake.
Reading the latest online magazines on the Libby app for free
Wearing a bright red lipstick feels good somehow

@Reebokclassics Not if they shoplifted it.

Making homemade bread, by hand not with bread maker, works out at 70p to make not including electric.

Getting a really good shoulder rub from DH.

Posting a pretty postcard to a friend with a nice message you've handwritten on it.

A good rummage through an upmarket charity shop.

Tidying up my dressing table and organising all my cosmetics and lotions & potions.

Spraying myself with a really gorgeous perfume tester when I'm out shopping.

Kissing DH.

Watching old shows on YouTube. Bagpuss and Mr Benn are my favourites.

Wool and knitting/crochet needles…

I am making a blanket for the end days……..!!!

I love your ideas - I love a list!!

Also blackberry picking

Grooming the dog until she looks shiny

Pruning things in the garden

Looking at the fish at the pet shop/garden centre (ditto playing in the shed section/conservatory show room... I love a garden centre).

YouTube crochet tutorials... really cheap and easy to get started.

I think Aldi's apple strudel doesn't have raisins if I recall correctly. Been a while since I had it though.

Really really want Apple strudel. With it without raisins.
Mine is changing the bed and going to the library for a new bag of books to escape into

Candles, love the Aldi ones.
Painting my toenails.
A nice cup of tea in the afternoon on my day off work when I can snatch ten minutes to myself.
Making the perfect fried egg and serving it on toast with salt and pepper.
Getting into bed with fresh sheets.
Bird watching, especially when you find that quiet spot in a park or somewhere and you can just sit and watch.
A walk where there is lots of wildlife and flowers to look at.
Seeing any kind of wild animal always makes me feel great, almost like it's a privilege.

Our free book shop

We'll be cider making soon. Trees planted some years ago are starting to come into their own. Only extra costs this year are yeast and sanitiser. No idea how much we will get..

Free sewing pattern and fabric from my stash.

As PPs have described, sewing seeds. A promise for the next season.

@OhWhatFuckeryIsThisNow this is the best!

So many people jumping on the shower gel poster. If they'd just said 'having a, shower using my favourite toiletries', would that have been acceptable??

That aside, totally love this thread x

Having a YouTube party with DH, listening to nostalgia music from our youth. The early 90s were superb.

Oh wow! No idea this existed. Just joined my local library online so I can do this. Thanks for the tip! I loved audible but just can't justify the monthly spend on it anymore 👍💐

Love this thread OP!

For me, fresh sheets after a lovely relaxing bath is one of my favourites.

Here are some others:

Walking on the beach / sea swimming.

A bracing autumnal or winter walk somewhere.

Hanging out washing on a breezy day.

Baking.

Watching a tv series/film of something you enjoy.

Feeding wildlife in the garden.

Playing a card game or board game.

Walking in nature and seeing how it changes throughout the seasons

Hugging my partner when it’s cooler

Wrapping up in soft snuggly dressing gowns

Tea and biscuits with my partner

I love this thread

.

Meditation. Especially guided ones with relaxing music.

Giving yourself a face massage. Few drops of olive oil if you haven’t got fancy facial oil.

A good tip from me is to buy a shower gel that you have used on a holiday. I used to buy a certain one to go away which was fairly cheap. You can only get it from one shop so when I use it it reminds me of a holiday and makes me feel better straightaway.

Colouring In
Having a Dance
Picking blackberries
Sitting in the sun and shade.
Ice cubes in drinks. Just fill the tray with water and put it in the freezer.
Reading the free local papers.

Wordle
Rest is history podcast - great series currently on history of holidays
desert island discs
weeding and watering garden/house plants
a hot cup of tea
listening to favourite music
basic yoga stretches
good books
tidying a cupboard
watching birds
Lying on the grass watching clouds and finding shapes in them
community choir
going for a walk or run
giving and receiving massages
baking/making food
hot shower
photography project: every week set yourself a challenge to photograph a specific thing - can just do it with your phone
if in London free museums and art galleries

Mine is walking in the woods , seeing a squirrel
Or even luckier a deer or badger
Feeding the fox a egg every evening .. one cost I will keep up
A coffee in the garden when the birds wake up
Feeding the crows the crusts from DD sandwich every day
Actually sitting in the evening with a coffee and reading through the threads on here ... even better if the dogs are sleeping next to me

Planning our weekend walks with DH - about 10k and being in the countryside with no human sounds - wonderful
Bloody love a scented candle despite how much hate they get on MN as being a lazy gift
Sitting with the times sodoku with a good cup of coffee
Being on my own in the kitchen with classic drama on podcast and batch cooking - I love labelling all the meals for future use
I'm lazy with skin care so I love it when I make time to do it properly

I'm a fan of delayed gratification so I put things off so that they are all the more enjoyable