Are you in the mood for a little self care? How about saving a few quid at the same time?

This coming week I’ll be doing a themed Tenner Week style challenge, with something new and free to try every day. The last week of January can be tough for many reasons, including the weather and the state of our finances, so let’s make it a little easier on ourselves with the self-care theme.

If you’d like to include some money-saving in there too, try to keep your personal spending to £10 for the week. That includes your personal groceries, treats, coffees, etc, but it doesn’t include spending on partners, kids, pets, or anything to do with work. The full Tenner Week rules are here if you haven’t tried one before or you’d like a quick refresher.

[By the way, I’ve already personally committed to a veg box delivery and a couple of exercise classes as part of some short-term January resolutions, so unfortunately I won’t be able to do a proper Tenner Week budget myself this time. However, I’m going to try to keep to a £2 limit for my other spending over the next seven days, as that should cover emergency groceries.]

This week you’re positively encouraged to:

• prevent waste
• avoid buying things you don’t really need
• make the most of what you already have

The first few days of this new challenge will be very easy indeed, because Mondays are often hectic and filled with obligations, and there will be more to try and do towards the weekend as most of us have more free time then. If you miss a day then don’t worry because you’ll be able to catch up at the weekend if you prefer.

Self-care week schedule

Most of these daily activities can be done in 10 minutes or less, if you’re in a hurry.

• Monday: Hydration stations (plus optional walk)
• Tuesday: Make your list
• Wednesday: Streamline something
• Thursday: A moment of meditation
• Friday: Entertain yourself
• Saturday: Mind and body
• Sunday: The joy of rest

Sunday stocktake (optional)

If you have time, it only takes a few minutes to complete a speedy stocktake and it can be a great help with the budgeting. Look around your home to see what’s already available to you right now – you might not realise exactly what you already have, and it’s hopefully a reassuring reminder.

Start with your food and drink. What do you have in the house? Make a note of everything, including the contents of:

• Fridge and freezer
• Cupboards
• Bread bin
• Worktop canisters
• Tea caddy
• Biscuit box or jar
• Secret chocolate stash
• Fruit bowl
• Baking box
• Garage or shed
• Wine rack
• Windowsill herbs
• Kitchen garden or allotment
• … etc

On the food waste side of things, you might decide to freeze one or two staples, such as milk or bread, so that you have some left to use towards the end of the week. It’s also handy to create a quick menu for the week, making sure that you use up perishable ingredients before they have the chance to go off.

Other things you might like to take stock of:

• Skincare and bath & body products: you might feel like some pampering, and most of us will have at least one or two things in our homes already
• Entertainment: subscription services, podcasts, books, library cards, what’s on Freeview, art and craft materials, music and so on

Who’s in the mood for a little self care and pampering right now? Anything to cheer up the tail end of January is fine by me.