Feeling like you can’t get self-care because it’s too expensive? Here are my top favorite frugal self-care ideas because finances shouldn’t hold you back from practicing self love!
As a mom, it is so easy to let self care slide to the wayside. And, it isn’t uncommon to feel guilty about it, especially if it costs money from the family budget. It is so important that moms get their self-care because we are the foundation of our households, and if we aren’t being purposeful in our self-care, we won’t have the energy (and mood!) to show up for family the way we’d like! Are you ready for some self care on a budget?
6 Frugal Self-Care Ideas
Here are my favorite low cost self care ideas that I use regularly to keep my cup full. This list is outside the very boring but necessary self care foundation of: sunshine, water, nutrition, sleep. Most are quick and easy. I hope a couple of these will really work for you, if they don’t resonate with you, I have a great tip at the end that you can apply to your life, to customize your self-care to your own needs.
1. Making time for Reading
Why reading, it’s because I have a very deep internal need to learn. And if my brain is not engaged, and I am bored, I’m not going to be happy. So this is a very, very big need I that I have to be happy. And so huge joy factor for me. When you know your personality, when you know what your deep internal needs are taking care of yourself care is so much easier, and it makes it more effective.
My hack for making time for books is actually listening to books while I clean or consuming books while I work out in the morning before the kids are up.
Frugal tip: library, libby, free books on kindle
2. Connecting with friends
I am I a verbal processor, hello. I love words, talking to somebody and connecting with somebody feeds my soul. It’s one of the reasons why I share here with you. It’s one of the reasons why I show up because being able to connect is so important to my joy factor. It is part of who I am, and it is a deep need.
Facebook saved my sanity; when I was a brand new mom with a brand new baby, I couldn’t leave the house that much. Self care with a newborn can be really difficult! No shame in that struggle. When my son was 7 months old, I was pregnant with my second. I struggled with hyperemesis gravidarum (yay for excessive vomiting) with all of my pregnancies, so I didn’t want to leave the house much. I was able to connect with other moms on Facebook and have conversations.
Who doesn’t love good phone call as well! It is a blessing to have people you can call; I have people that I can call up and have a conversation about anything. And I’m so very grateful for those people in my life. So, go call a friend!
Frugal tip: Use what is available to you to connect with others: phone or computer, etc.
3. Journaling your thoughts
Few things are cheaper than a good ole notebook a pen. I told you earlier that I was a verbal processor. This is another way that I can do that without necessarily having to word dump and all my friends and family. I can use my favorite pretty pen and write out my thoughts and just be with my thoughts, and it’s a way to explore things and of think through your life.
You can do this as a diary, if you wish. This can be an excellent form of daily self care. I don’t do it daily: I do it when I feel the need. Some weeks, that’s many days, some weeks it is only a day or two. You should do what fits your needs and your lifestyle.
Frugal tip: You don’t need a fancy journal or use an expensive pen. You can use a 99 cent notebook or open a Google doc and start typing.
4. Turn up those tunes
This might be a no-brainer for some, but I went a long stretch where I kind of forgot how absolutely powerful music is. So, if you need a pick-me-up, you definitely want to turn on the music. It’s great to lift your mood. It is awesome to light a fire of motivation under you. Music is also a great way to wind down and relax. Whether you need to throw on Pandora, Spotify or YouTube, do what makes you happy!
I love YouTube for listening to solfeggio frequencies, but my free Pandora account has years of my favorites memorized. There is so much science behind how music is good for you: everything from stimulating the brain to calming the nervous system.
You can always crank it up when doing chores or have it mellow for your wind down routine. How can you incorporate music into your self care if you aren’t already?
Frugal tip: Thank goodness you can use Pandora & Spotify for free, and you can use YouTube for free.
5. Hot Epsom salt baths
Soaking in a hot bath with Epsom salts is one of my absolute favorite things. Epsom salts are a form of magnesium salt. It is really healthy for you! It does take a little bit of planning sometimes, but it is always so worth it!
I first learned about Epsom salt baths when I was learning about detox baths. But, since then I have learned about how important magnesium is for the body. Feeling stressed? Magnesium is amazing. Body feeling sore? Magnesium baths are amazing!
Not sure how to make it work for you? Look at your calendar, and WRITE it in! Make that appointment for yourself, or it is so much less likely to happen!
How? Run a hot bath and add a cup of salts to your bath. If you want an extra kick, feel free to had some baking soda & bentonite. And, you can always throw a few drops of your favorite essential oil in! (make sure that it is a skin safe one, and mix the oil in the baking soda before putting
Frugal tip: Epsom salt isn’t super pricey. Stay away from the fancy scented stuff, and stick with your generic store brand to save money as well as not have to worry about what they used for scents (not all scents are healthy).
6. What lights you up?
No one knows the best self care for you than YOU! As a busy woman & mother, it is so easy to lose touch with that inner you, but that amazing and beautiful person inside the busy lady that you are needs attention.
So, ask yourself, what lights you up? What little simple joys tickle your fancy? Maybe it’s as simple as a cup of tea in an outrageous mug?
I have a simple Rae Dunn mug that says Sweetheart, and I love it because that is what my husband calls me, even after 20 years together. I’m going to have tea in the morning, so I might as well use something that brings me joy! If you are doing tea or coffee, heck, even water, why not drink out of a vessel that brings you joy? It’s simple in concept, and you can start today!
Need another example? I ADORE dangly earrings; I feel almost naked without them. They light me up: dangly earrings are a simple and non-time consuming joy factor for me.
What can be a non-time consuming joy factor for you?
Frugal tip: Think of those things that increase your joy, and find things that are easily repeated without always spending money on it. Schedule it in your calendar if necessary! If you really want it to be a physical something (like the examples of the mug & earrings), go hit up your local Buy Nothing group! There are likely local free groups in your area on Facebook or Nextdoor that can hook you up. Of course, you also have the option of hitting up a thrift store too.
What do you do that is frugal self care that isn’t on this list?
What are you going to go put in your schedule for yourself?
There are plenty of other things that you can do that light you up: create art, dance around the living room, go to the gym, talk a walk in the sunshine, lighting a candle while you work, etc. It comes down to making time and making it a HABIT!
This list is by no means exhaustive, but it is a list of some of my favorite things that also happen to be thrifty choices for any momma to choose! Don’t delay your self care because of finances! You are totally capable of being creative and increasing the joy in your life, even on a tight budget.