Two Things

I check the responses from the survey on frugal indulgences from time to time. It's really fun reading what everyone does to treat themselves. And I tend to agree on just having time to do as I please as quite a luxury. I'm not sure that I always use those moments of time wisely, though. The mindfulness aspect is something that I need to work on. If you haven't answered the survey, it's quick and easy, and you won't be judged, graded, or even known by your answers. And if you've answered it once but have thought of something you'd like to add, you can do the survey again, adding answers to specific sections. You can see others's responses at the end, if you're interested. Or, you can wait until I compile it all into a post.

On the other topic, you can sometimes teach an old dog a new trick. I've started keeping our monthly budgets on an electronic spreadsheet, with Apple Numbers, the free spreadsheet program that came with my computer. I just began this at the end of April, so we will see how this works out. It was free, and I'm just trying it out for 3 months. If I like it, I'll stick with it. If I feel it's either more work, or not as accurate because I forget to add expenses, then I can always go back to my trusty pad of paper. I dislike the idea of spending any money to track my money, if I can find an easy way to do it for free.

That's about it for today. I hope that your week is off to a great start!

Frugal Indulgences -- A Survey

As I filled my bathtub with hot water, laced with scented bath oil, I reflected on what a luxury this is. Not too long ago, a luxuriating hot bath was something  not available to many people. Before the age of indoor plumbing, baths were for Saturday night, were taken in a small portable metal tub, most often in the kitchen. Heating enough water for one of these baths was done over a stove, one kettle at a time. A bath of more than an inch or two of hot water just wasn't feasible.

Fast forward to today and all I need is a bathtub, water that's been pre-heated in the water heater, time and privacy. I make my baths extra indulgent by adding essential oil fragrances, oils, baking soda, ground oatmeal, flower and herb bath tea, dim lights, and music. I can do all of this with what I have in my house.

Here's another favorite frugal indulgence of mine. I make myself a special cup of cocoa, using whatever milk I'm currently drinking, baking cocoa, sugar/sweetening, vanilla extract, and mini-marshmallows. I make this in the microwave, just one cup at a time. I try to make the cocoa special in some way, with vanilla or almond extract, marshmallows, whipped topping, extra cocoa powder, candy canes, whatever I can dream up, using what I have in the kitchen.

Thinking about this prompted me to wonder just how many ways there are to indulge ourselves, frugally. And I thought this would make a good topic for another survey. I'll leave the survey open for a few days, then compile all of the results into one post. I plan on using your ideas as my go-to list of how to provide that needed pampering during stressful times, with little or no extra expense. I've also opened a spot for $5 and $10 indulgences, which I thought might not only be nice for ourselves, when we can afford it, but also perhaps some nice ideas to treat someone else, for an occasion or when they seem to need a little indulging.

Anyway, share your thoughts and ideas! It's completely anonymous! I'll leave this up for a couple of days in case you have more thoughts to add. You can fill this out multiple times.