Wellness Weekly: 7 Budget-Friendly Self-Care Ideas for When You're on a Tight Budget

As a teacher and overall cheap person, I HATE spending a ton of money on anything. Therefore, if I can find an inexpensive way to do something, I'm going to roll with it.

I wasn't always this way, especially when it came to self-care. Instead of doing something short, sweet, and inexpensive, I'd just go without. I can say from firsthand experience that this isn't the way to go about self-care. You DESERVE to treat yourself and feel the love from yourself.

If you have the same tendency, I urge you to save this post and come back to it any time you're feeling depleted mentally, physically, or emotionally.

Take a Relaxing Bath

I know- taking a bath is like Self-Care 101, but just because something is simple doesn't mean it doesn't work. Plus, if you're an overachieving busy bee like me, you likely forget about taking the time for a nice bath even though it's something that comes up so often in the wellness world.

If you're looking to make your bath experience even more luxurious without breaking the bank, go to your local Target and pick up some essential oils, Epsom salt, or bubble bath. To add to the ambiance, you can also light your favorite candle and put on your favorite soothing music to enhance the experience.

Hot Girl Walk

Tis' the season for hot girl walks! Hot girl walks are a time to move your body without the pressure of a workout (though we love working out) and really connect with yourself & nature.

To elevate your hot girl walk, listen to some empowering music, like my "Take Your Power Back 💫" playlist on Spotify, an audiobook, or a podcast of your choice! Click here to explore some of my favorite podcasts for hot girl walkin'

Practice Yoga & Meditation

I will admit- I recommend yoga & meditation for just about anything...

Going through a tough time? Yoga & meditation

Feeling down? Yoga & meditation

Lost your connection with yourself? Yoga & meditation

Need an energy boost? Yoga & meditation

Yoga & meditation are SUCH versatile practice that yield so many incredible benefits- from feeling more limber to becoming in tune with your mind, body, & spirit. Plus, you can practice them for free literally anywhere and anytime! I use Insight Timer for my daily meditation practice and YouTube for yoga practices based on what I'm in the mood for.

If you're looking to splurge and love the feel of being in-person for a yoga class, I recommend treating yourself to an in-person drop-in class in your community! I've found free yoga events at certain times and have paid around $15 to drop in at a studio. It's definitely pricer and more time-consuming than my at-home practices, but it's a lovely treat every once in a while.

Read a Book

As a self-proclaimed childhood nerd, I used to go through books like water.

However, when I "grew up" and left for college, I allowed myself to lose my passion for reading. I felt like I didn't really have time for it and it starts to get expensive when you go through books super fast.

Thankfully, I've found my way back to reading and I can safely say it's revolutionized my life once more. I not only glean knowledge from non-fiction books (something I love as a passionate lifelong learner), but I allow myself to dive wholeheartedly into stories and escape my reality for a moment in a way that's still working my brain.

If you're looking to take up reading again without a huge expense, I highly recommend investing in Kindle Unlimited. Kindle Unlimited is currently $9.99/month and has a wide array of books to choose from. This year alone I've already blown through 11 books- making the money well worth it.

Also, you can borrow books from your local library, download free e-books online, and, in some place, get the app for your local library to borrow e-books.

Cook a Nourishing Meal

SO much goodness can come from this simple act! By taking the time to cook for yourself, you'll feel like you've loved and respected yourself a ton through the process. Then, by cooking a meal full of incredible nutrients, your body will feel more satiated than before.

The reason I chose the word nourishing over healthy here is because your body might not need "healthy" when you decide to take this option and that's 1000% okay. Yes- most of the time I try to fill my body with nutrients to sustain everything I do in the day. But sometimes, I just want my air fried Oreos and feel super loved when I allow myself to have that treat.

Connect With Loved Ones

Sometimes what we need to nurture our souls is safe human connection, which we often get from our loved ones. Take the time to call a friend or family member, have a movie night with your partner, or host a game night with your roommates. Oftentimes, you'll leave with more love in your heart and core memories made.

Get Some Rest

Getting enough sleep is crucial for your physical and mental health. By carving out plenty of time for sleep, you set yourself up for receiving the incredible experiences you have the opportunity to live every single day.

If you're looking to make bedtime ritual a little more nourishing to the soul, you can try turning off your electronic devices, taking a warm bath, and reading a book.

In conclusion, self-care doesn't have to be expensive. There are many budget-friendly self-care ideas that can help you take care of yourself without breaking the bank. By incorporating these ideas into your routine, you can reduce stress, improve your mood, and live a more-well life ✨