Just because you're frugal, doesn't mean you don't deserve to treat yo' self once in a while! It also doesn't mean your treats have to be expensive! Here are 16 ways that you can treat yourself for free today!
Feel-Good Ways to Treat Yourself for Free
Rewarding yourself for little (or big) accomplishments and treating yourself to a little pick-me-up to help you get through the week, is important. I'd also go as far to say it's a necessity in order to not fall victim to frugal fatigue. However, it’s not always a good idea to spend money every time you feel like doing something special for yourself.
But, don't let that discourage you. There are quite a few ways that you can feel like you did something nice for yourself without paying a cent.
The next time you feel like treating yourself, try any of these 16 Ways to Treat Yourself for Free.
Read at the beach:
This is something my husband and I would do regularly before we had kids. We would make a day of going to the beach with a book or magazine and just sit and read. People watching is also fun.
Bubble Bath:
Every once in a while, a warm bubble bath sounds really, really nice and relaxing. It's a great way to put that bubble bath to use that was given to you as a gift. If you have Epsom salts, throw those in too! Or try my Homemade Sore Muscle Soak!
Take a Nap:
Now this one sounds like a fantastic treat to me right now! I'm working on very limited sleep during the night because the baby is waking up far too often for my liking. Grabbing a mid day nap sounds wonderful. 🙂
Go for a Walk:
Get out and get some fresh air. Walk around the neighborhood or find a nice wooded trail. Go by yourself or bring the family or a friend. Enjoy the scenery and focus on all the details surrounding you.
DIY Manicure or Pedicure:
I'm sure you can do an almost salon like manicure or pedicure at home after watching or reading an online tutorial. You could even get in some girlfriend/daughter time by doing each others nails.
Visit a Pet Shelter:
Head to your nearest pet shelter to give some animals a few cuddles, pets or a walk! This is a definite feel-good way to treat yourself for free!
Netflix marathon:
If you have a Netflix subscription, you could binge watch a popular series, with popcorn, of course.
Head to a free community event:
I'm fairly certain that all communities offer some sort of free event. For example, our city offers a free summer music concert in a local park once a week. There are also regular events going on for major holidays. Take a look in the newspaper and you should find something of interest!
Swap some clothes with a friend
Are your clothes feeling a bit boring to wear over and over again? Why not try swapping a few pieces of clothing with a friend? You'll have brand new wardrobe possibilities without spending a dime.
Grab a notebook and start journaling:
Journaling can be quite cathartic. Especially if you're in a stressful season of your life. Take the time for yourself to write down all your thoughts and dreams. Allow yourself to vent.
Find that hidden chocolate bar that someone gave you and savor it:
I'll be honest in saying that all my hidden chocolate is gone now, but for a while I was working on some Christmas chocolate that was given to me! It tastes best when I eat a piece hidden from my daughters. 😉
Bake a treat:
Craving a piece of cake? Why not bake an entire cake and invite some friends over? (So you don't accidentally eat the whole thing yourself.) You probably have most of the ingredients on hand already in your pantry.
Picnic outside in the yard or park:
Why not pack up a rotisserie chicken, some buns, fruit and veggies and have an outdoor picnic? This is another favourite thing our family likes to do. We have to eat anyways, so why not enjoy eating outdoors?
Do something nice for someone else:
Doing something nice for someone else will surely put a smile on your face for the entire day. It just feels good to show someone else some kindness. Some cheap ideas are:
Bake someone a batch of muffins to make their mornings a bit smoother
Double up one of your dinners and bring a friend in need the second dinner
A "thinking of you" card to someone who's been on your mind
Give a compliment to a stranger
Let someone else go in front of you in line at the grocery store
Gift your talents to someone (photography, a knitting project, baking, art work...etc.)
Learn something new:
I have a whole post dedicated to skills and hobbies you can learn for free. Check it out.
Say no to something that you are dreading that is not essential:
Sometimes our lives can fill up with things that we should do, because they're "good things". Why not say "no" to that thing that is completely not essential. Saying "no" can feel really good!
I'd love to know the ideas that you have to treat yourself for free or cheaply! Let me know in the comments.
There are certain household items every penny pincher owns, because they know that these items will help them stay on their frugal path. So what are these items exactly? Take a look below at 8 household items every penny pincher probably owns. They hold onto these items tight so they can stretch their budget and live well below their means daily. Here are the items you need to know about so you can live a more frugal lifestyle too. How many of these household items do you own?
1. A Slow Cooker or Pressure Cooker.
Frugal people know that a slow cooker, air fryer or a pressure cooker is a staple in any frugal household. They're an easy way to make home cooked meals with very little energy and even when crunched on time. You can make everything from appetizers to desserts in your slow cooker or pressure cooker, which is why they are so popular with frugal people who hate to spend money on eating out.
Why pay for paper or plastic products that you just toss away after one use? Frugal people love to use cloth napkins, towels, and reusable grocery bags instead of paper or plastic. This way the items can be used multiple times before being washed and used all over again.
3. A change jar.
Every devout penny pincher has a change jar. The change jar is where all of the change leftover in purses and pockets is tossed into at the end of the day. Over time it adds up and can be cashed in for more than you may realize! A change jar is a simple way to let those pennies you pinch add up for you.
4. A clothes line.
This depression era staple is still used in many households as a way to save money. A clothesline can help you dry your clothing in the fresh air while saving you money on gas, electricity, and dryer sheets. Consider a clothes line for your drying needs and see if it makes a difference for you. Nothing beats the smell of sun dried clothing anyways!
Vinegar costs about a buck a bottle and has so many practical uses. It makes a powerful household cleaner and can get glass sparkling. Instead of buying pricey cleaning products, frugal people love vinegar for getting their cleaning jobs done.
6. A bicycle.
Frugal people love using bikes to run quick errands as it helps them save on gas and car repairs. It also gives them the chance to exercise and can also be used as a hobby. Invest in a bike so you can use it for quick trips and to perhaps enjoy a fun evening bike ride with the family.
7. A ceiling fan.
Ceiling fans have been replaced by light fixtures over the years, but frugal people will never give theirs up. They can cool the air during the hot summer months, and can be reversed to push down warm air during the cold winter months. Ceiling fans are a cost effective way to keep your home comfortable without cranking up the heat or the AC.
8. Stainless Steel Straws
Frugal people are also conscious of their carbon footprint so anytime they can purchase something to replace a disposable item, they will. Stainless steel straws are a great replacement for plastic straws. This set here even comes with a handy cleaning brush.
What do you think about these household items every penny pincher owns? How many of these items are used in your household? What items would you add to the list?
Does it ever feel like your groceries just don't last? There are probably even times when you look in the pantry only to find it bare, even though you just went shopping. Groceries just don't seem to last long enough, but there are ways to make them last much longer!
How to Make Groceries Last Longer
Only Buy What You Need
Buying only what you need will ensure you are not wasting food. Knowing what you need (by making a menu plan) and what your family will use will help to ensure you only have fresh groceries in the house that everyone will enjoy. Buying food items that your family doesn't use will only waste money and leave you with wasted food.
Freeze What You Don't Use
We don't always need all the food we buy and that can mean wasting food. Make sure to freeze any food you are not going to use before the expiration date. Freezing food that you are not going to use by the expiration date will keep the food from going bad and will help you keep a stocked freezer.
Freeze Herbs
Herbs typically come in large bunches and we don't always need all the herbs at once. People tend to throw away herbs because they only use a few and the rest of the bunch goes bad. Next time you bring herbs home from the store chop them up, put them in ice-cube trays, pour in some olive oil and then freeze. Your herbs will stay fresh and you will end up with infused olive oil next time you go to cook.
Store Produce Properly
Produce is one of the number one wasted food items. Produce can last longer than you might think but you need to store it properly. Do not cut up produce until you are ready to use it! If you need to cut it up in advance, these Produce Saver containers are great. Keep in mind that each fruit and vegetable has a different way it needs to be stored. Knowing how to store your produce properly will keep it from going bad to quick. There is a complete guide on storage techniques here.
Stock Up
When you come across a good deal make sure to stock up! Having a fully stocked pantry at rock bottom prices is always a great way to ensure you have plenty of food. Watch the store flyers closely to look for sale prices on your family's favorite items. Remember to store all food properly!
Create Snack Baskets
Sometime it doesn't matter how well you store your food, it still goes quickly! This isn't due to waste or improper storage but more so to hungry little kids. Children love looking through the pantry to find all of the yummy snacks! Before you know it that box of cookies you just bought yesterday is already gone.
Start creating snack baskets for each child in your family. Everyday put items in the snack basket that the child can have. If he or she eats all the snacks at one sitting that is it for the day, they will have to wait till breakfast, lunch or dinner to eat again. Creating snack baskets allows you to set out what the kids can and can't eat that day and help your groceries last a little bit longer.
How do you make your groceries last longer? Let us know in the comments below!
Are you easily enticed by sales? A "good" deal can actually turn out to be a bad deal, especially if you go overboard or don't have a financial plan in place. Here's how you can avoid a bad financial deal.
It happens to the best of us. Getting into a financial pickle that is hard to get out of. Before you even get into a bad financial deal, it’s important that you know how to avoid it.
Here's How to Avoid a Bad Financial Deal:
Stay Out of Debt
Although most people consider some debt okay, it can really be debilitating. Debt has a way of overshadowing your family and making you feel broken. If you want to avoid a bad financial deal, then try and stay out of debt altogether.
Plan Out Your Spending
If we are being honest, it can be hard to avoid a bad financial deal if you’re not prepared. One of the best things you can do for yourself is to plan out your spending. This is also known as budgeting. When you get paid, make sure your money is going to specific destinations like a your checking account and a savings/emergency funds account.
Learn from the Mistakes of Others
Want to really avoid a bad financial deal? Listen to what others have to say on this topic. It’s easy to join a budgeting group on Facebook. You’ll never believe the financial issues people have due to the lack of knowledge of being able to handle their money correctly. Learn from other people’s mistakes so you don’t make the same mistakes. It’s much more expensive to learn from your own mistakes than from someone else.
Live within Your Means
Trying to buy the newest vehicle or the fanciest house, when you can’t afford it, will lead you down a bad financial path in no time flat. You can avoid a bad financial deal by living within your means. Know what you make and know what you have to spend. If you want something, pay cash and avoid credit cards (like the plague).
Talk to a Financial Advisor
Let’s say you come across a large sum of money. You are used to living on x amount of dollars, you don’t know what to do with all of this money. Instead of blowing through the cash, talk to an advisor about how you can invest it. If you don’t want to talk to a financial advisor, read up on what some of the top financial experts have to say. Dave Ramsey is a popular one with good advice! He has tons of good information for those who are seeking it.
Think About It
Finances are tough because there are so many emotions involved. When it comes to avoiding a bad financial deal, always think about things first. You don’t have to jump into anything without thinking about it first. Settle down, think through your emotions, and then make your decision. You’ll save yourself from financial heart ache again and again when you actually take the time to think things through.
Know How to Manage Your Money
Last, but not least, learn how to manage your money. Don’t just throw it all away on McDonald's and designer shoes. Instead, know how to spend your money accordingly. Instead of looking at your money like it’s the enemy, learn how to manage it. Managing your money can be one of the best tools in helping you avoid a bad financial deal.
What if you have already gotten into a bad financial deal?
You may be reading this because you already got yourself into a bad financial deal. It’s not too late to think things through. Sit down and create a plan to help you work things out. What tips do you have for someone trying to avoid a bad financial deal?
Money. It’s one thing that makes the world go ‘round, even if no one wants to admit it. Unfortunately, the fast majority of people in the world are terrible at saving money. Have no fear because even if you are terrible at saving money, there are small ways you can get creative in order to save. Maybe you have plenty of money to save, you just don’t know how to get it done. I’m going to show you how!
Are You Terrible at Saving Money? Get Creative!
Put your money in separate savings account.
Basically, I’m telling you to trick yourself. Whether you have direct deposit or a check, you can easily trick yourself into saving. Have part of your check direct deposited into a specific account OR take $20 each week and put it into the “secret” account (it’s not really secret, but you're terrible at saving money, so you have to tell yourself that :)).
Save that spare change.
No one likes change (coins), but there is one truth behind all those nickels and dimes, they really do add up. If you can save your change, you are saving money. Just the other day, I took a handful of change rolls into the bank and I exchanged it for a $20 bill! It actually paid for our lunch. So, even if you think you’re not saving money when you save that change, you are!
Sell old items and put back the money.
If we can all agree with something, no one is leaving earth with their possessions in hand. In the meantime, put a hold on buying things and sell the extra items that you do have. When you sell an item, don’t put the cash in your pocket, put it in your savings account. This is great for many people because they don’t have to try and save money out of their paycheck (yes, this is a struggle for many people).
Use what you have around the house.
So many people are terrible at saving money. They just do not have a money saving bone in their body. With that being said, you don’t have to go to great lengths to save money all of the time. Something simple that you can do around your house is to use what you have. I bet if you were to look in your cabinets, you’d be surprised as to what you may find. You may find things that you currently need and because of that, you won’t need to go to the store to buy that item. While this may be a small way to save money, it really does help.
Have someone else control your savings.
If you are that person that can’t save a nickel to save their life, you need help. This is the route to go only if you have tried saving money in every other way. It may be time to put your spouse in charge of saving money. If your spouse isn’t great at it, you may need to seek help from a financial advisor or a trusted friend. There are people out there who can help you save money; you just have to give it a chance.
Ask for a raise.
If all else fails and you can’t possibly save any money, it may be time to ask for a raise from work. Only do this is you’re serious about saving this money. Most workplaces are more than happy to accommodate their hardworking employees.
What are some creative ways in which you have been able to save money? Sometimes increasing your income is the only way to start saving. Put it away, so you have the cash you need for the things you want later in life.
Well, it’s getting harder to avoid the truth. Back to school time is right around the corner. 🙁 While this might be a happy time for you, it can also be an expensive time of year. School supplies and new clothes can really add up!
So for today’s question, I’d love to know:
I’m Wondering: What Are your Best Back To School Savings Tips?
Have you got something you’ve been wondering about that I could feature in a future I’m Wondering post? Submit your question to us here!
