MORE FREE ADVICE: Treating yourself well on the cheap

[5thGenDemocrat]

In these tough socio-economic times, it is important that one treats oneself well. This is easy to do if one is wealthy, but what about those of us whose incomes are somewhat more, um, modest?
While it is true that life can be a shit sandwich, that sandwich is still going to be better with a bagette. What inexpensive small pleasures can frugal DUers recommend that make your life better?
Here are a few of mine that I've tested and heartily approve:
-- Butter, not margarine, for eating. And olive oil for cooking.
-- If you going to drink whiskey, drink good whiskey.
-- Buy the best socks and underwear you can afford.
-- For stuff other than socks and undies, learn where the best second-hand clothing stores are and patronize them habitually. I live in Saginaw and do my clothes shopping twice a year in Detroit, 100 miles away.
For well under $150 a trip (including gas and lunch), I buy everything I could possibly wear and bring the stuff home by the bagsful. It is often better made than what you can buy at the mall and keeps you from dressing like a clone.
-- Make some lifelong friends of optimistic mood and generous spirit and treat them like gold. They can and will save your ass when you are broke or depressed. Pay your debts with them on time and help them whenever and however you can.
I've got some other free advice on all this, but free advice is worth what you pay for it, and I'd be interested to hear what others have to say. What costs almost nothing and makes your life better?
John
Who got by last year on a little over $12,000 (but the house is paid for).