A last-minute weekend escape.
An elegant dinner outing, complete with three courses and a couple (or four) of drinks.
Giving in to that new dress you’ve been eyeing at the mall.
Hitting “place order” on your Amazon cart, filled with items you’ve been wanting.
Indulging yourself feels amazing — and it matters. But it can also be pricey.
And since October 13th is Treat Yo Self Day, we’re ready to celebrate… while still honoring our thrifty instincts.
Good news for Savinly Readers who appreciate the nicer things in life: You don’t have to destroy your budget to lift your spirits!
We’ve collected 39 ways to pamper yourself — without spending any cash.
Treat Yo Self — For Free
Apparently the best pleasures in life truly are free.
Here are some of our favorite, no-cost suggestions to get you started.
1. Read a Book
When did you last allow yourself to dive into a real, old-fashioned book?
You know, the type with a cover and real pages?
Set aside a couple hours to curl up and get lost in one of those 18 volumes on your shelf you’ve been meaning to read for ages.
2. Write
Pick up a pen and let your thoughts flow.
Journal, write a short story, or dabble in poetry! Nobody has to read it unless you want them to.
3. Draw
If prose isn’t your thing, grab paper and pencil and just sketch.
Render what’s around you, recreate a dream, invent a new creature, or sketch someone you adore.
The creative options are limitless!
4. Color
With adult coloring books everywhere these days, you might already own one. Don’t worry about staying inside the lines.
Don’t have a book? No need to spend $10+: there are plenty of free adult coloring pages available online.
5. Cook
Time in the kitchen doesn’t have to be a drag.
Really.
If you take your time and conjure something new from ingredients you already have, it can be a playful, creative way to reward yourself with something delicious (and maybe nutritious).
6. Bake
You probably have flour, sugar, butter and eggs. Those four staples alone can make a delightful treat — see.
If you’ve also got chocolate chips, peanut butter and vanilla, you’re practically running a bakery. Get baking!
7. Put Your Records On
Music transforms everything.
Sit and savor your favorite album, or finally explore that new release you’ve been putting off.
Even if you can’t give it your full attention, background music enhances any activity, from driving to tidying the house or dining.
8. Dance
If the music makes you move… go for it!
Grab a hairbrush and belt out the lyrics. Dance around your living room in your PJs.
Sterotypical rom-com material? Sure.
Actually freeing and fabulous? Absolutely.
9. Sweat
Even if you’re not in the mood now, you’ll feel amazing after an hour of exercise.
And if you choose the right activity, working out can actually be fun — trust me!
An outdoor run is always free, but if you’re more of an indoor person, check out these excellent free yoga videos you can find online. There’s lots of other complimentary fitness content on the web, too!
10. Soak it Away
If you have a bathtub, you’ve got an instant pamper station.
Fill it up, recline and let your worries slip away.
If you add a bottle of wine, a few candles and a good book, you’ve just multiplied the indulgence.
11. Wander Aimlessly
Put your phone down. Open the door. Step outside.
Walk without a plan.
Really take in your surroundings — the weeds pushing through the sidewalk cracks, kids playing in the neighbor’s yard.
Just try not to get too lost.
12. Go Geocaching
If you haven’t tried geocaching, it’s like a global, anonymous scavenger hunt.
Follow others’ clues to uncover hidden caches, which might be tucked into woods or right outside your home.
Leave your own treasure to keep the game alive!
13. Enjoy Sunrise or Sunset
They’re breathtaking and free, every single day.
Relish a quiet moment alone, or go watch the beginning or end of the day with someone special.
14. Find Free Events in Your City
From museums to community film nights, most cities offer a variety of 100% free activities.
Check your local paper or municipal website and see what you can attend — at no cost.
15. Go Outside
Beach! Mountains! Forests! Lakes!
They’re all free (unless there’s a park fee), and many are just beyond your doorstep.
Hike, swim, climb, or simply sit and listen to nature. Either way, you’ll feed your spirit.
16. Sleep Under the Stars
Even if it’s just your backyard, sleeping beneath the stars has restorative benefits.
If you already own camping gear, you can spend a night outdoors almost anywhere.
Breathe fresh air as you sleep. Connect with nature. Pamper yourself.
17. Try Aromatherapy
Light a scented candle or some incense for an instant mood lift.
Put some music on, too, and you’ll seriously elevate your home’s ambiance.
18. Have an At-Home Spa Day
You don’t need to visit an upscale salon and drop a hundred dollars to feel luxurious.
Make a nourishing hair mask from coconut oil, or give yourself a facial using pantry ingredients.
Have coarse sea salt and olive oil? Mix them for an exfoliating scrub to pamper tired skin.
19. Get Fancy
Bored with your usual eyeliner and mascara? Open that makeup bag you never use and experiment with eyeshadow, lipstick — even glitter!
Big hair, bold makeup, the works. You don’t need plans to feel glamorous. Dressing up can feel incredibly indulgent.
20. Netflix and Nails
At least one night a week I’m parked in front of my laptop.
I soak my feet and tidy my nails while watching a Netflix title like “Fat Head” or “What Happened, Miss Simone?”
I pick up some insight (or a fresh perspective) and finish with a new polish color to wear for the week.
21. Rewatch a Favorite Film…
It doesn’t matter if you’ve seen “The Princess Bride” dozens of times.
One more viewing will feel just as comforting.
22. …or Treat Yourself to a New One
You’ve been planning to watch “Cloud Atlas” for years. Now’s the moment.
23. Go Ahead and Binge
Even if it’s the first season of “Orange Is the New Black”…
…again.
24. Play
Break out an old yo-yo from the junk drawer or dust off a board game.
Video games, sudoku, jigsaw puzzles — playfulness shouldn’t end with adulthood.
25. Flip Through Old Family Photos
On a recent trip home to visit my parents, my mom and I intended to play chess over a glass of bubbly.
It’s our favorite pastime — mostly because we’re both terrible at it. The wine helps.
But when I reached for the chessboard, I was sidetracked by boxes of childhood photos from when I was three or four.
We spent the evening laughing and reminiscing. It was a lovely, unexpected treat.
26. Enjoy Free Amenities at Your Gym or Apartment
If you belong to a gym or live in an apartment with shared facilities, you might be overlooking plenty of complimentary luxuries.
Think tanning beds, massage chairs, or complimentary personal training sessions.
Go explore and indulge!
27. Craft
If your sewing machine or yarn stash has been neglected, switch off your phone and pick up that old project.
Even without supplies on hand, you can transform a T-shirt with just scissors — no needle required.
Check out other simple, clever DIY ideas too!
28. Play With Your Kids
Get down on the floor and recall what it’s like to be small by acting like one.
Furry friends count as kids, too — the ball won’t throw itself!
29. Call Someone You Love
A text just won’t do.
Call an old friend or someone you talk to daily but never set aside time to really converse with.
Half an hour of a real talk will feel like a present to you both.
30. Volunteer
Give to others and treat yourself in the process.
Helping out will leave you with warm, fuzzy feelings — I promise.
31. Eat Well and Exercise… For a Week
I know, it sounds more like a reward for doing something than the indulgence itself. Hear me out.
If you commit to clean eating and regular workouts for a full week, you’ll feel incredible afterward.
Refreshed, stronger, energized and ready for anything. What better way to treat yourself than by feeling good?
32. Stop Negative Self-Talk
Challenge and reward yourself at once by cutting out negative internal chatter for a set period.
No “I’m too ____” or “I should have…”
It might be tougher than you expect, but it will boost your confidence and mood. Start with an hour, extend to a day — maybe a lifetime.
33. Go Screen-Free
No screens.
More focus, more restoration, more calm.
One happier heart.
34. Window Shop
This won’t suit everyone.
If you’re easily tempted, it might not stay free.
I enjoy lingering over beautiful things at the mall, even if I can’t afford them.
Just don’t tell anyone about my habit of petting soft throws at Pottery Barn before slipping away unnoticed.
35. (Re)decorate
You don’t need to buy anything new to refresh your home.
Rearrange furniture or hang art that’s been waiting in a closet for the right spot.
36. Barter
If you really need something new to feel like you’ve treated yourself, there’s a way to do it without spending cash.
Visit a local used-clothing shop like Plato’s Closet to see what credit you can get for items you no longer wear. Use that credit to pick up a pre-loved piece.
You could also check the Craigslist free section, or trade instead of buy in other listings. Who knows how far you can trade up?
37. Visit an Art Gallery
While galleries aim to sell, most commercial spaces are free to enter and browse.
In many downtown areas you can walk gallery row and enjoy several for zero cost.
38. Go to a Park
When did you last visit your local public park?
Walk nature trails, swing on the playground, or simply sit and watch leaves drift down.
39. Visit a Dog Park
Treat yourself by treating your pup to some off-leash fun!
Extra perk: your home’s belongings will be safer once your dog has burned off energy.
Perk two: you can dress your dog in silly pajamas first. Sorry, Odin.
40. Go to Sleep
Sleep improves everything else you do.
A lot.
Take an hour-long nap and notice how much better you feel.
Your Turn: How do you pamper yourself without spending money?
Alex Monroe is a contributor at Savinly. He writes about everyday ways to treat yourself, from simple pleasures to small rituals. He’s a dedicated fan of treating yo self.
Also — if you’re planning a budget-friendly romantic evening, check out free date night stargazing. For low-cost snacks and sweet treats, don’t miss these free kind bars.
