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| Image: Tapio Haaja on Unsplash |
Weekend Readers: Welcome! Grab your coffee. Once you finish reading, scroll down to the comments and share your favorite free luxuries — I'm hanging out in the replies all weekend!
Last weekend we talked about the physical items worth spending our hard-earned money on. Now let's talk about the free experiences that feel like pure luxury, those that add a sense of abundance and indulgence without spending a single dime.
Redefining Luxury
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image: Debby Hudson on Unsplash |
When we think of luxury, thoughts of plush furnishings, high-end vacations, or expensive watches and handbags come to mind. But as a frugal blogger, I've come to realize that the most profound luxuries in life don't have a price tag at all. True luxury is about stillness, observation, and what I like to call "found time." Today, I'm sharing three completely free experiences in my life that make me feel incredibly indulgent.
Sunrise and Solitude
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Photo by Resul Baltacı on Unsplash |
I wake up around 5 AM every morning, often before anyone else in the house. I make my coffee in that serenely quiet moment, one where I can be alone with my thoughts as my mind becomes awake. There are no questions about what is going on that day, no phone calls to answer -- there are no conversations outside of my own mind. I'm able to live in the moment for a brief period each day. I watch the sun crest the horizon as I sip my coffee. Upon opening a window to freshen the indoor air, I hear birdsong in those early hours. The core luxury here is the absence of demands—no phone calls, no questions, and no expectations. It is just me, my thoughts, and a hot cup of coffee.
Breakfast by the Water
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image: Albert Stoynov on Unsplash |
It's our family tradition in summer to spend a few of those glorious mornings at the beach. Bringing a thermos of coffee and a pan of homemade cinnamon rolls, we have breakfast by the water. It's such a great time to be at the shore. Early in the day parking is easy to find. There are interesting things to watch at that hour, such as the divers coming ashore from a dive in their wetsuits, or the dog-walkers strolling past on the sidewalk that lines the sandy beach. And the air is cool enough to not need to find a shady spot.
One of our favorite waterside spots for one of these summertime al fresco breakfasts is a small boating community. In summer, folks moor their crafts at the marina in this town for their weekend getaways. We will sit on a bench at the water's edge with our breakfast in hand and watch the boaters as they slowly start their own days, coming up from the sleeping quarters below to their decks with their own cups of coffee in hand. We don't intrude on their moment of quiet. The core luxury is the enjoyment of the maritime beauty as a quiet observer. We don't call out or wave; we are simply sharing a peaceful, parallel morning moment with the world around us.
"Found Time"
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| image: Adele Nosova on Unsplash |
There's a concept I like to call "found time." It's when a situation cancels the day's or hour's plans, like those magic moments when an afternoon summer rainstorm chases me out of the garden, or a meeting or appointment that I've dreaded for weeks drops off my schedule. I find myself gifted with unanticipated free time -- time to choose my next mini adventure.
Vintage Inspiration
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| image: Annie Spratt on Unsplash |
My favorite frugal way to spend this found time is an afternoon spent watching black and white movies or reading vintage cookbooks for free via Internet Archive online. Curled up under a fleece throw, I lose myself in a 1940s intrigue story or peruse 1950s recipes. I don't make enough time in my week to do these things, so when a block of time suddenly opens up, I try to do something that will delight my mind. The core luxury I'm describing is permission. Because the weather or circumstances made my plans impossible, I get to enjoy guilt-free relaxation.
The "essence" of frugal luxury is not about spending money; it's about protecting your peace, noticing the small details, and embracing "found time." The best things in life truly are free, if we just slow down long enough to notice them.
Your turn: I would love to hear from you this weekend. Do any of my frugal luxuries resonate with you? Or does indulgence come to you in a different way? Does the thought of a giant stack of library books or magazines perk you up? Or perhaps a long hot bath with oils, a lit candle, and warm towel speaks luxury to you. How about the moment you slide into a bed made with freshly laundered linens -- is that the moment you feel indulged? Tell me about your favorite free experiences that feel like pure luxury in the comments below. I'll be here all weekend, reading and responding to your thoughts on luxury.
Lili, your times of reflection and refreshment are awesome. I, on the other hand, am trapped in working outside the home (by my choice) and do not have those delicious mornings watching the sun come up. I see it as I drive to work but it's not refreshing as I maneuver through traffic. There was a time that life was slower paced when the children were young and I worked lightly outside the home. Once they were in school I started back up into the fast paced working world. As I get closer to retirement and the cost of living we need to prepare for having enough money in our aging years so working outside the home to increase my SS income and try to save as much as possible now. WE have had a lot of conversation lately about retirement and SS because my husband is of age and I will be shortly. Stay at home moms really got a bad deal from SS because they didn't contribute like a working spouse did thus their own payout is very little. An SAHM work very hard all day long 24/7. Added to that is my 35 year average goes back to my teenage and college years where I earned $4 per hour so my average over 35 years is not good (because of those 10 years I worked outside the home very little). Even on Saturdays we are busy getting the things done around the house that we couldn't during the week when we were working. I'm not complaining just seeing the result of our choices. Maybe retirement will change how we spend out days.
ReplyDeleteHi Alice,
DeleteI completely hear you and want to validate how exhausting a packed schedule can be. When you're in a survival season with work or family, sometimes a whole hour to yourself just doesn't exist. I'm sorry you're feeling the weight of this current season of life.
For me, when time to myself has been more limited, my peaceful moments have come in the form of listening to a worship song on the radio in the car while I drove my kids to and from school, or standing in a hot shower in the early hours before anyone else was up. I think that's why "found time" has felt like such a blessing to me, and probably to others as well. When a schedule feels packed, and suddenly you have that extra time due to cancellations or weather keeping you from prior plans, to have that break feels like a gift.
Do you have anything, even very small, in your plan for this weekend that will give you a moment of peace and refreshment? Something like listening to refreshing music while you catch up on housework or fold laundry, or taking a walk outdoors in nature to get your steps in? Sending you grace this weekend, Alice -- I hope a pocket of peace finds you.
For me, the gift of time and the gift of being outdoors are the best "luxuries". Like you, Lili, I also enjoy quiet, peaceful moments. I'm more of a tea drinker than a coffee drinker, but having a relaxed cup of tea in the morning (5:00 a.m. sounds painful to me, so we differ in that) is mentally restful. On working days, I put my tea in a travel mug and sip it on the way to work, which isn't really restful, so I appreciate the days when I can savor my tea.
ReplyDeleteLike Alice, I find that I don't always have a lot of extra time for quiet moments, so I try to combine activities when I can, to get the most out of them. Taking a hike or a bike ride doubles as exercise as well as meditative moments being outside. Listening to my favorite podcast (bibleproject.com is the one I turn to) while cleaning or at the gym is something I find spiritually refreshing, and it makes mundane tasks more enjoyable.
Spending time with friends/family feels luxurious to me. I struggle with feeling like I need to be "productive", and I find myself thinking "but I could be accomplishing something during this time". My brain needs to recalibrate that kind of thinking. Anyway, I enjoy quiet social moments with people, so going out for coffee or on a walk with someone feels luxurious to me.
I'm also a fan of breakfast on the beach! And on special occasions, pulling out the china and linens is a free luxury--I already own those things!
Hi Kris,
DeleteI love the Bible Project! Their videos are great and I love the conversations on their podcast. Our church has a weekly podcast that I listen to while folding laundry. When I'm doing a mindless chore like laundry, having something to listen to makes the chore go faster.
I completely get the feeling like I should be productive. I've struggled with that over the years, too. I do find that if I give myself an actual lunch hour, instead of eating lunch while standing and doing work, I am a happier wife, mother, sister, and friend, and can fulfill that role I was intended to for those around me. I have a family member just diagnosed with cancer. I need to be there for them as much as I can. But to do so, I have to take care of myself, too, like recharging my emotional batteries through finding beauty in the world around me or spending a half hour reading scripture. And yet I feel guilty if I wasn't spending some of that time doing housework, cooking, a DIY project for the house, getting us ahead financially, etc. It's a difficult mindset to break.
Good for you for using your china and linens on special occasions! You're right, that's luxury that is already bought and paid for.
is it good bike riding weather in your area now? I feel like it's Seattle Summer pt. 2, here. We had summer, then we didn't, and now I think we have it again. I'm glad to be able to get outside again without getting soaked. Tomorrow morning, one daughter and I have a long walk scheduled. That will be refreshing and my exercise for the day.
Our weather seems especially wacky this year, but yes, it's bike riding weather. I don't like to go when it's too hot (this past Wednesday was oppressive, with high temps and humidity). If I can manage it, going on Sunday mornings before church is my favorite time. It's so peaceful out, and since there isn't much traffic, I venture to places that I otherwise would avoid.
DeleteI'm sorry about your family member with cancer. You're right, it is important to take time for yourself. That can be hard to do when so many urgent things are pressing on you.
Hi Kris,
DeleteThat's what I was wondering, if it's in that perfect not too hot, not too chilly period where a bike ride is fun and refreshing. When it's hot, here, I time my walks for early morning. Being out on the hot sidewalk in the afternoon is no fun to me.
Sunday mornings are soooooo peaceful. We attend an 8 AM church service and there is practically no one on the road, no traffic, quick drive there. It's wonderful. I can fully understand why this would be a preferred time to go for a bike ride. Much safer and so quiet.
Thank you. We're waiting for the staging.
Enjoy this weekend's bike ride or hike!
Right at the beginning of reading your post, I thought to myself, "clean sheets!" so then laughed when you actually mentioned those toward the end. I could definitely relate to your appreciation of "found time". Free luxuries I enjoy include having coffee or eating my breakfast out in the garden, just listening to birds and enjoying all the green and the blooming flowers a little differently than when I'm out there working, a walk while listening to an audiobook (in one ear only for situational awareness), a short nap many afternoons if the schedule allows, and getting to read a long-awaited new library book. Also, spending a few minutes loving on our dogs or cats, which happens multiple times per day.
ReplyDeleteGreat topic!
Hi Cat,
DeleteMy husband would completely agree. I like freshly washed sheets, but not nearly as much as my husband does. To him, that's the peak of luxury. I can understand. The clean can really be felt in a way you never get again until the next week when they're laundered again.
Your pick of coffee or breakfast in the garden resonated with me. My freelance illustrator daughter makes time to have lunch with me on Fridays, if she can be at home. This time of year we take our lunches out to a small garden patio. It's in a very secluded part of the yard, and we're surrounded by greenery and a couple of flowering plants out there. It's a more beautiful spot than any restaurant that would be anywhere near my budget. It brings me to the thought brought up by Kris, enjoying our gardens like this is simply "using" something we've already paid for. What's in bloom in your garden this weeK?
I love this post, as it has helped me pause and really think about the simple luxuries in my life. I count this blog and community as a luxury because I escape the chores for a few minutes in my day. I look forward to the peek into your life (and others) and have employed many suggestions to make my life a bit more thoughtful and intentional.
ReplyDeleteAnother luxury that I look forward to is sitting with my husband in the evening for about an hour to watch the news (and whatever program we find interesting) and knitting. There is something about that routine that I love.
This time of year, I also luxuriate in eating our dessert on our patio to enjoy the sound of the pond and enjoy the green!
I wanted to mention that I also enjoy vintage cookbooks and the like. I am listening to (for the second time) "The Best Cook In The World" Tales from my momma's table by Rick Bragg. It is such a delightful book - I love the Libby app from the public library. Just thought I would mention it if someone would like to check it out.
Years ago, I had an inexpensive subscription to Southern Living Magazine. Rick Bragg had a column, and that was one of my favorite parts. He's funny and heartfelt, all at the same time.
DeleteDo you do complicated knitting? I enjoy it, but I have found that I prefer simpler patterns. I think the repetition is what appeals to me.
Hi Ruthie,
DeleteI love this community, too. I learn a lot from everyone here, and I feel support and prayers when I really need them..
Our library offers the Libby app. I need to check that out. Thank you!!! I will see if I can find "The Best Cook in the World."
Several of us have mentioned being outdoors. There is something truly refreshing about spending time outdoors. Your summertime routine of having dessert on your patio fits exactly into this definition of a frugal luxury. It adds peace to your day and celebrates the natural beauty around you. Your pond and greenery sound like an enchanting place.
I can just picture you and your husband watching the news or something else and you happily knitting on a project. What are you knitting these days?
I’ve always loved your writing, Lili, and this latest series is delightful! Thank you! Two ‘indulgences’ come immediately to mind. We live rurally Central California Coastal mountains) and have our own well. Over the years there have been power outages and well problems. My husband has worked to overcome these happening and minimize their impact. Nevertheless, I find that first hot shower after a ‘lapse’ absolutely Heaven sent!
ReplyDeleteMy second indulgence is climbing into bed at night to read for an hour or so,,,,,the ‘AHHHH’ of a rest deserved and comfortable peace enfolding me are priceless!
Enjoy your weekend and thank you again for sharing your life with us all! Conni
Hi Conni,
DeleteI can imagine how wonderful that first shower after a well issue is! While not quite the same -- when our water heater went out, it was a couple of days before we had a new one. We were heating water on the stove at one end of the house to carry to the bathroom on the opposite end for bathing/washing. The process was such a pain that we just did sponge baths for about 3 days. That first real bath after the new water heater installation was bliss. I felt so grimy not having regular baths or showers in those interim days. It's hard to imagine having only the water that you brought in would be like. Is there any way to store a back-up supply of water? Do you do that for cooking and drinking already, should the well fail?
Your peaceful time at the end of the day spent reading sounds lovely. The end of the day is my second favorite time of day. No demands and work is done.
Wishing you a beautiful weekend, and thank you for the kind words.
Hi, Again, Lily,
DeleteTo answer your questions, yes, we have a holding tank full of water but the latest problem involved the pump, not from the well, but that pumps water into the house. It was leaking about twenty gallons an hour so it made sense to only have it on for minutes a day….enough to flush toilets, etc. It took about ten days to get the replacement. We have plenty of stored water for cooking.
Since we have chosen to live this way for close to 55 years we realize 1) How little one actually NEEDS to have a good life, and 2) We are very thankful when we have electric power, a working septic, and running water. We are blessed😊
I remembered one that I meant to put in my original comment but forget. This may sound small and silly, but as a mom of 5 in a 1.5 bath house where we all had (still have to, but down to 2-3 at home) to shower in the same bath, I always feel happy if I get to use a completely dry bath mat, lol. We have two that we hang on a rack, but that's still no guarantee that either will be completely dry at time of use.
ReplyDeleteHi Cat,
ReplyDeleteThat doesn't sound silly at all. I get it. When the whole family has traveled someplace and stayed in one motel room, we've had that same wet bath mat situation. It's a small luxury that means a lot.
Here's a luxury that came to me this morning -- summer fruit, especially homegrown fruit. Although I buy some strawberries in summer, when our own strawberries ripen, they are so much better than grocery store ones. Our strawberries are almost ready to begin picking this year. With the first picking of the season, we really savor each bite. I'd also add homegrown lettuce. So much better than what I can buy at the store here.