The Art of Low-Cost Self-Care: What I Use, Skip, and Swear By
Self-care. It’s everywhere, right? From your Instagram feed to the glossy pages of wellness blogs, it’s been turned into a luxury lifestyle movement complete with jade rollers, silent retreats, $80 candles, and “healing” crystal-infused waters. And look, if you’ve got the budget for that kind of indulgence, more power to you. But for many of us, the idea of spending a small fortune on self-care kind of defeats the purpose.
I used to fall into that trap too—thinking I needed the right bath soak, or the perfect meditation subscription, or a monthly spa day to really take care of myself. But after a few years of trial, error, and financial recalibration, I’ve come to learn this: real self-care doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, some of the most effective, lasting habits I’ve built cost little to nothing at all.
So, in the spirit of transparency and practicality, I’m sharing what I actually use, skip, and swear by when it comes to low-cost self-care. These aren’t trendy hacks—they’re real, rooted practices that have helped me show up better for myself and my bank account.
Thrifty Thinking: Did you know that engaging in mindful activities like meditation and yoga at home could save you hundreds of dollars each year compared to attending classes? Not only can these activities be free, but they also provide powerful stress relief from the comfort of your own space.
What I Use: Practical Tools and Habits That Actually Work
1. Walking as a Daily Reset
It sounds simple because it is. But this one habit has transformed how I manage stress and re-center my thoughts. I don’t power-walk or hit any step-count goals. I just walk. Often without music or a podcast.
According to one study, people who walked briskly for an hour, three days a week, had sharper decision-making brain activity than those who simply attended educational seminars.
A 15- to 30-minute walk around the block acts like a mental palate cleanser. I use it to decompress between meetings, step away from overstimulation, or shake off anxiety. Bonus? It’s free.
2. Library Access for Mental Escape and Education
I’ll be the first to admit I’m a digital junkie. But when I started checking out books from my local library—both physical and digital through apps like Libby—I felt the difference. Reading a physical book without a screen helped me unwind and improved my focus.
It costs nothing, and I get access to books, audiobooks, and even documentaries. It’s self-care that expands your mind without shrinking your bank balance.
3. YouTube Yoga (or Free Movement Routines)
I’ve tried $25 drop-in yoga classes and I’ve tried YouTube yoga from my living room—and let me tell you, the difference in value isn’t always in favor of the studio. Channels like Yoga with Adriene offer free, approachable flows that center your body and breath.
Doing 10 minutes of stretching in the morning has become one of my favorite grounding routines. I don’t need a fancy mat or expensive leggings to benefit from it.
4. Journaling (Pen and Paper Only)
There’s something powerful about taking thoughts out of your head and giving them space on paper. I use a $2 notebook from the drugstore and jot down whatever’s circulating in my mind—gratitude, frustration, ideas, reflections.
It doesn’t have to be “dear diary” or anything polished. Just the act of writing slows me down and brings clarity. And over time, it’s become a form of self-coaching I never expected.
5. DIY Spa Nights with Pantry Items
I won’t lie—there’s something very therapeutic about mixing up a honey face mask or soaking my feet in Epsom salts. But instead of buying trendy kits or high-end products, I raid my pantry. Honey, oatmeal, avocado, sea salt—these all double as skin-care ingredients.
It’s low-pressure, low-cost, and oddly satisfying to make do with what’s already in the house.
What I Skip: Self-Care That Didn’t Deliver (At Least Not for Me)
1. Subscription Boxes and Expensive Wellness Kits
I fell for the promise of curated self-care in a box more than once. But here’s the truth: many of these boxes include sample-sized items you wouldn’t actually repurchase, or stuff that looks great on Instagram but ends up in a drawer.
If I added up what I spent on subscription wellness kits in one year, I could have funded a short getaway or several therapy sessions. These days, I build my own rituals with items I know I’ll use.
2. Overpriced Skincare Regimens
Let’s clear something up: good skincare doesn’t have to cost triple digits. I once splurged on a $90 serum only to find that a $15 drugstore option gave me the same results.
Now I stick to gentle, no-frills skincare that I patch test and use consistently. Most of my current lineup comes from affordable brands with solid dermatological backing.
3. Apps with Paywalls for Basic Mental Health Tools
I’ve downloaded plenty of meditation or wellness apps, only to be hit with a paywall after a few days. And yes, while some premium content is worth it, I’ve found that free tools—like Insight Timer or even written breathing scripts—offer just as much benefit.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not against paying for mental health support. I just don’t think breathing should be locked behind a $12.99/month subscription.
What I Swear By: The Self-Care Practices That Stick
1. Phone-Free Mornings (Even for Just 30 Minutes)
Starting the day without social media, emails, or news alerts has changed the tone of my mornings completely. I don’t always succeed—but when I do, I’m calmer and more intentional.
Instead, I drink my coffee in silence, do some stretching, or read a few pages from a book. This pocket of peace costs nothing and sets the tone for everything else.
2. “Do Nothing” Time on Purpose
This might sound strange, but I’ve learned to actually schedule time to do nothing. No multitasking. No cleaning the kitchen while listening to a podcast. Just sitting, staring out the window, or lying on the floor.
Turns out, giving your brain downtime—real downtime—is incredibly regenerative. It creates mental space and fuels creativity.
3. Saying No Without Guilt
This one’s invisible, but probably the most powerful practice on this list. Learning to decline plans, commitments, or even certain conversations when I’m at capacity has saved my energy and sanity countless times.
Saying no isn’t always comfortable, but it’s a form of self-preservation that doesn’t cost a thing. And once you get over the guilt, it gets easier—and more empowering.
Creating Your Own Low-Cost Self-Care Ritual
Here’s the secret: real self-care isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what actually helps you feel like yourself.
To create your own sustainable, low-cost self-care system, ask yourself:
- What gives me energy versus what drains me?
- What can I do regularly without resenting it or needing to buy something new?
- What makes me feel grounded, even if it’s not trendy or photo-worthy?
Then build from there. Test things. Toss out what doesn’t work. Return to what does.
Self-care isn’t one-size-fits-all—and that’s a good thing. The more we stop chasing someone else’s ideal and start listening to ourselves, the easier it becomes to find rituals that actually support our lives.
Self-Care That Lasts Isn’t Always the Flashiest
You don’t need $200 worth of products, a wellness retreat in the desert, or a smoothie made with adaptogenic mushrooms to care for yourself. What you do need is something that fits into your real life—your schedule, your budget, your energy.
The most underrated form of self-care might just be this: treating yourself with consistency and kindness even when no one else sees it.
So take the walk. Write the journal entry. Say no when you need to. And remember that the best self-care is the kind you can keep coming back to—again and again.
