Mothers reveal how they treat themselves and do fun activities for free amid the cost-of-living crisis – including trying on designer coats without buying them and spying on their own pets

• UK woman asks what cheap or free things are people doing to make life nicer
• The anonymous user referred to the financial struggle hitting everyone hard
• And shared the little things that she is doing to bring joy during this time 
• Some people said they had rejoined the library whilst others went for walks 

As the cost of living crisis continues a woman has sparked conversation online by asking people what cheap or free things they do to make life a little bit nicer.

Posting on UK parenting forum Mumsnet, the anonymous user said that she goes into her garden to watch planes fly over her house, she then tries to track them on Flight Radar 24. 

She asked people to share what activities they are doing to bring a smile to their faces whilst also keeping costs low. 

Receiving a lot of response, many people said they lit scented candles and went for long walks, whilst others were more adventurous and joined testing panels for free samples and went into expensive stores to try on designer gear. 

As the cost of living crisis continues a woman has sparked conversation online by asking people what cheap or free things they do to make life a little bit nicer

Posting on parenting forum Mumsnet, the anonymous user thought to be from the UK said that she goes into her garden to watch planes fly over her house, she then tries to track them on Flight Radar 24

She said: ‘I also really enjoy lighting tealights (you can buy loads for £1 or £2) or burning incense sticks.

‘I have recently rejoined the library and mine gives free access to magazines, even the good ones and hundreds of titles. 

‘All I do is put my library card number in and away I go. It’s just brilliant and if I can afford a slice of cake whilst I read, even better!

‘I like to research places to visit. I might not ever get there, but it doesn’t mean I can’t plan for if it might happen!’

Many people responded saying that they also like to burn scented candles. And one woman admitted that she watches her pets when they don’t know she’s there

One person responded: ‘Honestly? Going to bed with the duvet on is the best in my life currently.’

Someone else said: ‘I won’t masquerade as someone who is currently struggling – that’s my disclosure.

‘I do a lot of ‘going on holiday’ with people on YouTube. A lot of camping in far flung places. Sometimes a few hours of YouTube videos a night. It’s lovely.

‘I also burn a lot of tea lights (and £1 pillar candles from Flying Tiger).’

A third person added: ‘Yankee votive candles from the outlet and using fallen fruit for cooking !

‘Also watching my pets in the garden when they think I’m not there.’

Other people ventured outside of their homes with one woman sharing that she enjoys getting free samples of products in the post after signing up to tester panels

Others were more daring in their cheap and free activities and ventured further afield away from their homes. 

One woman said: ‘I go to very expensive clothes shops and try on coats costing hundreds of pounds. I don’t know why but I just love it. I also read thrillers that I pick up for free around the place and go for extremely long walks through cities and countryside.’

 And a second admitted: ‘I have joined lots of tester panels and free sample sites. Love it. Have gotten some fab products to test and also look forward to seeing what things I get in the post. It cheers me up.’

Other people curated the perfect evening alone, in their house with all of the coziness of the colder winter months 

Other people revealed that they turn to the internet for joy on long autumnal evenings. 

Someone posted: ‘Oh also allowing myself to get in a ‘Wikipedia spiral’ – just reading loads of pages that link to each other. Has improved my general knowledge loads too! I find it really relaxing.’

Someone else said: ‘I look to houses on Rightmove. A lot. Houses I’ve seen for sale in the area. Houses that I might be interested in if I were to move. Houses I can’t afford. Houses miles away. I love it.’

And a third shared: ‘I really discovered Youtube during the pandemic. I had only ever used it before for fixing things. Now I watch all sorts; I mainly am drawn to affable, friendly hosts, no matter the content. It’s a broad spectrum, but tends to history, language, cooking and “lifestyle,” some stand-up comedy, old newsreels, all sorts. The algorithm keeps introducing me to new rabbit holes to go down.’ 

Other people opted for a cozy home and enjoying the small pleasures in life. 

One woman said: ‘I like to put some nice violin music on, take time to spritz all my house plants, pour a big glass of wine and pre-brie my crackers, open a big jigsaw and turn off all means of communications – living the dream one evening at a time.’ 

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