With the pressure of being frugal comes many missed opportunities for cheap items that could help you be far more comfortable. So, it’s worth considering these 20 things you might have avoided buying that can actually improve your life significantly!
Budget-Friendly Fitness Equipment
If you’ve been avoiding going to the gym because of hefty membership costs, you may be surprised how cheap workout equipment can actually be. Resistance bands are cheap and versatile for any workout, and jump ropes provide an easy cardio option compared to those expensive step machines. There’s really no excuse!
Houseplants for Happiness
Having houseplants thrive in your home doesn’t have to be a costly endeavor. Most small houseplants are wonderfully cheap and easy to manage, and air-purifying plants will help to improve the air quality of your home, as well as your mood. The Spruce suggests aloe vera or Chinese evergreen as great starter plants!
Home Organization Solutions
You might have thought that simple organization solutions like storage bins or baskets are a waste of money, but these cheap options can drastically improve productivity. Your home life can be decluttered and stress-free if you simply invest in budget-friendly storage solutions or even repurpose things you already have, like jars.
Affordable Kitchen Gadgets for Simpler Cooking
Most people with hectic lifestyles and an aversion to cooking will avoid investing in too many kitchen gadgets. However, affordable options, such as high-quality knives or measuring cups, are one-time purchases that will reduce cooking time and stress and improve accuracy. So, don’t be so stingy!
Cheap and Cheerful Ways to Improve Sleep Quality
You don’t have to pay for an extensive bedroom renovation or a completely new mattress to improve your sleep; sometimes, there are simple fixes. Buy a cheap mattress topper to make your bed more comfortable, or invest in blackout curtains for an affordable one-time purchase that will help avoid sleep disturbances.
Wellbeing Apps and Journals
Purchasing a cheap journal or even simply writing on paper can help enhance mood and mental well-being, so why are you making a big deal out of self-improvement? Practice self-reflection and daily gratitude with just a pen and paper, or install free meditation or mindful apps. Mental health really can be that cheap!
Home Entertainment Upgrades
Home entertainment can be costly, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make simple, affordable improvements. For example, you can save money on movie theater (and snack!) costs by installing a DIY projector screen or improved speakers so that you can watch from home. It’s cost-effective and fun!
Easy Productivity Hacks
Spending a little time improving your home working space or even hobby space can greatly increase productivity. There are also free practices such as the Pomodoro Technique, which involves breaking work into intervals, which Forbes explains ‘is useful if you get distracted while working.” Overall, productivity doesn’t cost anything!
Outdoor Equipment or Clothing
If you don’t invest in items like hiking boots or a good raincoat, you’re more likely to avoid going outside for free exercise. Outdoor equipment also gives you a free solution for social meet-ups as opposed to restaurants or coffee shops that come with a bill, so it’s worth considering in your next budget.
Self-Help Books or Online Courses
These days, many self-help books or courses can be accessed for free online. Looking into these to improve your skills means you can learn and grow and set better, more achievable goals to help you have a more positive mindset, so stop pretending they’re unaffordable!
Upcycling Supplies
Upcycling might seem like a costly endeavor if you’re starting from scratch and need items such as paintbrushes or fabrics, but overall, you’ll save a huge amount of money on upcycling old items instead of buying new ones. You’ll also be able to create quirky, unique accessories for your home on the cheap.
Low-Cost Ways to Improve Skin Health
If you neglect your skin hygiene to save money, what the heck are you doing? Homemade face masks or scrubs improve circulation and skin health while avoiding high beauty price tags. If you’re still not convinced, Healthline reminds us that you can make low-cost homemade scrubs with ingredients like oatmeal and yogurt!
Essential Oils for Stress Reduction
You don’t have to spend a lot of money on branded diffusers or even spa appointments; you can create a stress-free atmosphere at home with cheap bottles of essential oils. Simply mix them with water in your bath or in a spray bottle to use them for DIY aromatherapy; it’s super affordable.
A Dependable Device
Laptops, tablets, and phones have become expensive these days–there’s no doubt about it. However, investing in at least one device you can depend on will dramatically improve your lifestyle. You can then make free video calls to your family and utilize video conferencing for your career, earning you back your money!
Posture Correction
Proper posture is one of the most important things you can ensure, but many people cheap out on solutions. Listen: lumbar pillows for chairs are very cheap, and even a rolled-up towel will be a free DIY option, so stop neglecting your posture for the sake of money!
Streaming Channels
We know that monthly streaming costs can run up an avoidable bill, but investing in one good streaming channel can pave the way for enhanced learning. Most streaming channels will include factual programs and documentaries so that you can develop your skills with educational videos without a high cost.
A Calendar
Regardless of whether it’s an app, a physical monthly calendar, or simply a dated notebook, a calendar can make a drastic difference in your quality of life. If you’re someone who loses track of their schedule, this simple and cheap solution means you can better manage your time.
A Water Bottle
The Mayo Clinic advises 3.7 liters of fluid a day for men and 2.7 liters for women, yet most of us don’t get close to that. Sometimes, this is because of expensive shop-bought water, but investing in a water bottle means you’ll be staying hydrated all day, every day, for free!
Mindful Eating Trackers
Buying a food or cooking journal can significantly improve your relationship with food and help you save money on the food you buy, so why aren’t you doing it? Mindful eating means paying more attention to every bite, resulting in less risk of overeating (and overspending!).
Clothes Which Actually Fit
Lastly, many people avoid high-quality and properly fitting clothes in favor of fast fashion. The latter is more likely to need replacing more regularly, which in turn means more money spent. Clothes that fit and are made to last will make you feel significantly more confident and comfortable on a daily basis, so it’s just not worth compromising on.
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