Nine Cheap (Or Free!) Things I'm Currently Loving



Everyone has their things that they love.  The fave sweater, the go-to meal, the I-can't-live-without-it purse.  Here are nine things  I am currently loving.  As an added bonus, these things are all inexpensive or free. 

Cadbury Cream Eggs--This Easter staple is my most favorite candy ever.  Luckily, since they clock in at nearly 200 calories apiece, they are only available for a limited time seasonally. 

Soft Brim Knit Hat--I got two of these hats from Target this year in ivory and in gray.  They are warm enough to keep me toasty when it's cold outside, but stylish enough that I feel like I can keep it on if I pop into a store.  Plus, they don't give me hat hair.

Goodreads-Goodreads.com is a website that allows users to search extensive lists of books, create reading lists, join book clubs, and more.  Prior to joining, I was constantly asking my Facebook friends to recommend books.  Or I would browse at the library and picked up a bunch of stinkers.    Goodreads is free, and has led me to some really fantastic books.  No more pestering my friends!

My Fitness Pal--I have this free app on my tablet.  In an effort to better control my protein intake, I started tracking what I eat and what exercise I perform.  MFP generated calorie intake and exercise goals, based on my input, and lets me view my daily intake in terms of percentage of calories from protein, etc.  I'm not actively trying to lose weight, but it does help me make better choices when I see the big picture.  For example, although I've looked at the nutrition facts on the container of cottage cheese before, it never sunk in how much salt is in it until I saw it in relation to the rest of my day.

Fleece Lined Leggings--I picked up these inexpensive leggings at Target when I was looking for tights.  They are ribbed, also maybe they coziest thing I've ever worn.  I have worn them under jeans at the playground on a cold day, with boots and a dress for a trendier look, and just to relax around the house.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Cleansing Wipes--One of the downsides to exercising a lot, especially if you forget to take your makeup off first like I do, is breakouts.  I don't always have time to take a shower at the gym if I have to rush from there to school to get the kids, or some other urgent errand.  I keep a package of these in my gym bag and use them to wipe my face, chest and shoulders before changing into dry clothes.  I think they have made a major difference in my skin, plus the pink grapefruit scent is pleasant, and I stay comfortable until I can take a shower.

Old Navy Zip Top Satchel--My mom made fun of my new red bag because it's pretty big, referring to it as an "overnight bag."  Which seems excessive because it's not THAT big.  Plus, I never travel anywhere without at least three pairs of shoes, which would definitely not fit into this bag.  But it is big enough to hold all my essentials, plus snacks, stuff for the kids, etc, and not break my shoulder.  The inside has a zipper pocket as well as a compartmented pocket without a zipper.  And because it's red, and not black, I can actually see my stuff when I look inside it and not feel like I'm peering into a hole.

Adirondack White Chocolate Seltzer--I'm a dedicated diet soda drinker, but sometimes I want or need something that doesn't have any sugar (fake or otherwise), caffeine or salt.  This delicious seltzer is lightly flavored, and has that fizzy kick without all the other crap.

Pink Sugar Perfume--The problem with good perfumes is that so many of them are expensive.  I don't like to wear the same fragrance every single day, so switching it up could mean a big expense.  So I was thrilled to discover this yummy smelling perfume for a much more affordable price.  Sephora carries it, although I got mine online. 

What are you loving these days?