To ask, in these times of financial struggle, what free or very cheap things do you do for yourself that make life that bit nicer?

[FattyAirways]

For me, I love going in the garden if it's a clear day, and as lots of planes go over I love to look them up on Flight Radar 24 and see where they've been or where they're going. That's the geek in me!

I also really enjoy lighting tealights (you can buy loads for £1 or £2) or burning incense sticks.

I have recently rejoined the library and mine gives free access to magazines, even the good ones and hundreds of titles. All I do is put my library card number in and away I go. It's just brilliant and if I can afford a slice of cake whilst I read, even better!

I like to research places to visit. I might not ever get there, but it doesn't mean I can't plan for if it might happen!

I didn't know that the library had jigsaws!

I love rightmove and YouTube too.

Looking at the autumn colours on a woodland walk.
Putting my face right into my cats fur and smelling his lovely scent.
Having the perfect cup of tea without any distractions.

Visiting family.

Cat cuddling
Crochet
Scrolling crochet projects
Crime dramas
Candles
Insense
Podcasts

I really discovered Youtube during the pandemic. I had only ever used it before for fixing things. Now I watch all sorts; I mainly am drawn to affable, friendly hosts, no matter the content. It's a broad spectrum, but tends to history, language, cooking and "lifestyle," some stand-up comedy, old newsreels, all sorts. The algorithm keeps introducing me to new rabbit holes to go down.

Scuffing through autumn leaves. I grew up in Australia and they don't have them there much. When we came back to the UK, we had a very windy night and lots of leaves were blown off overnight onto the pavements. We lived at the top of a hill, and I scuffed all the way to the bottom, marvellous! I still scuff leaves now and I'm quite old!

Oh great ideas OP! I need to use the library more.
I’ve recently taken up crochet which, if you can avoid getting addicted to buying wool, can be pretty cheap to do and relaxing.

I'm with you! PJs, bed, good book, pair of fluffy socks and a feline companion. Absolute bliss!

Skin on skin time with my new baby 👶

Smelling her baby smell 😍

Squidging her chubby thighs 😁

Watching my favourite tv shows.

Walking in the park and looking at all of the beautiful colours.

Spending time with my family and pet.

cup of tea/hot chocolate and a biscuit.

battery operated fairy lights.

being a bit nosy out of the window is also quite entertaining! 😂

@FattyAirways thank you for the magazines in the library tip! I have just discovered all the latest mags available via library app for nothing. Bliss!

walks through the fields with my dog. Watching The Vampire Diaries with a brew and a snuggle with the dog who DH thinks doesn’t come in the sofa 😂. I love it when he rests his head in my lap (he’s too big to be a lap dog). Basically my dog…

I love this thread! Another one for autumn leaves, YouTube rabbit holes, hoodie and Netflix nights (sooo much nicer than a couple of months back, sweltering and waiting for the poor overworked fan to swing back in my direction), and snuggling under a rug on the sofa with DD. Simple pleasures are the best, and I love the Wikipedia schooling too, less intimidating! I used to love a drive at night with some great songs playing but with the cost of fuel, I stay static for this now!

Walking to the airport (it’s only 6 miles away from my home) and watching the planes. It’s a scenic route

I have joined lots of tester panels and free sample sites. Love it. Have gotten some fab products to test and also look forward to seeing what things I get in the post. It cheers me up.

What do you mean re YouTube? What would you search for that?

Love this thread! I love to sit with a glass of wine and a jigsaw on a Friday night.

Winter is also perfect for "Sunset Alert" nights - it's always my daughter who notices when the sky will make a perfect sunset (and she misses most of them in summer due to bedtime!) - she shouts "Sunset Alert!" and we run and get ready, hurry to the best countryside spot near our house and sit and watch the sun go down. It is magical (and free).

Audiobooks, audible is quite cheap and they do good 2 for 1 sales. Currently enjoying Anthony Horowitz writing the Hawthorne series, totally absorbing and I get my housework done at the same time.

Walking in nature every day.

Playing my piano.

Painting with acrylics, especially still life flowers.

Mumsnet.

Baking.

Getting into gardening a bit. Not very knowledgeable yet but learning slowly.

Now the dark nights are here, I’ll be getting a jigsaw going soon.

Board Games with the family.

I like riding my bike. I don't go particularly fast or far but I love the exhilarating feeling of whizzing along and the fresh air. I started riding during the lockdowns and have carried on. Having Covid nearly stopped it because my recovery took a while but I'm doing OK again now and it's great for my physical and mental health.

I actually also love getting into my bed with a hot water bottle. I think there's going to be a lot of early nights this winter to keep warm.

Good binge of tv series on netflix.

At home movie night with the kid's mid-week with snack - feels like a naughty treat, even if it's a movie we have seen a load of times before.

Curling up for early night with a good book under the duvet in bed.

Generally being a bit self indugent.

My library does audio books that are free to loan. Kids love them

BorrowBox app for library ebooks and audiobooks. I listen to books all the time now.

Walking/ jogging
Watching the waves at the beach
A nice view
Playing really loud music in the car
Watching old box sets
Journal writing/ Writing lists
DIY pedicure
Incense

Genuinely one of the nicest things I've read on mumsnet what a lovely way to look at the world

If you're a library member you might be able to use the Libby app. I don't think it works on Kindles - but definitely Android and Apple.

So you can download library books from your councils library to read on your phone. And magazines and audio books.

Sometimes there is a wait for popular stuff but you can put a hold on them and they notify you when theres a copy free.