15 Frugal Ways to Add Self-Care

[firstourselves]

I love saving money and achieving financial independence. I also love feeling nurtured, rich and abundant. Are the two goals mutually exclusive? I've written about 15 frugal ways to add self-care here, on my blog, firstourselves.com:

First Ourselves: 15 Frugal Ways to Add Self-Care

How do you nurture your abundance frugally? I'd love to hear your ideas.

[amandajane]

Interesting site, I really like the concept. It's so important to take care of ourselves, or we can't take care of other people.

I have one thing that I don't compromise on, I buy Neutrogena skincare products, they really work well for me. After a lot of research I decided to go for Neutrogena as they are mid range and their products last a long time as you only have to use a little. Also the daytime moisturiser contains a spf 20 sunscreen, that's very important over here in New Zealand as we've got the ever expanding hole in the ozone layer right above us!

[purplefdu]

I don't compromise on my facial mosturizer either. It has to have sunscreen and not cause my acne to get worse. I also don't skimp on my face wash for the very same reason. I've spent plenty of time outside in my life and its not going down as I get older, so its important to take care of my face.

[firstourselves]

Your comments illustrate the importance of balance: what areas of your life do you look for a cost savings, and what things do you spend more money on to get exactly what you want? I think this also illustrates the buy more quality, and less quantity rule. I spend more money on things like Smartwool socks and exercise gear, because it allows me to exercise outside in the winter (I live in Montana.) And yet, how much do I need? I have a few things that I wash frequently. I think quality can also save you money in the long run---I think of clothes I've bought on sale or at thrift stores that weren't quite right, that always end up in my donations bag that I take back to the thrift store. Better to save up for a cashmere sweater that I can wear over and over again and love.

[jkuo13]

Interesting post. I agree with the tips for the most part. The luxury of time tip particularly speaks to me. I almost always feel short on time, but I don't think it's necessarily because it's consumeristic habits. I find that doing stuff like cooking all my meals, teaching a class at the YMCA, trying to learn a new language, etc. on top of a full time job just leaves me with not a whole lot of free time. Sometimes you just don't have time because you're too ambitious with your interests and hobbies.
It's a product of the overachiever culture. I often need to remind myself to just slow down and give myself time to just be present instead of constantly doing something.

[Miss Rosie]

I think the most nurturing thing I do is get enough sleep. It's a simple thing that's often neglected.

I'd say that second to that is learning to take greater pleasure in making things than in buying them. It isn't learned for me, but I think it has to be for some people. A lot of folks value store-bought over homemade, because they see homemade as cheap.

I see it as "custom", and vastly prefer it! I also enjoy the process itself, so it's a double pleasure for me.