TikTok’s ‘worth the money’ trend has inspired a different kind of list. Here are seven wholesome things that add value to life and don’t cost a cent!
South Africa (23 July 2026) – If you’ve scrolled TikTok in the last week or so, you’ve probably been mentally adding things to your shopping list.
There’s a trend doing the rounds where creators are sharing the things they believe are genuinely worth the money – the purchases they’d happily make again because they add real value to their lives.
I’ve seen local creators recommend everything from air fryers, Woolies mince, service subscriptions, books, and beauty products to designer handbags, pilates memberships, cars, expensive tech and travel.
Some of them are actually great recommendations. Others are a little more debatable. And, as with any social media trend, there are a few that come with a healthy dose of #ad.
After scrolling past so many of those videos thinking, ‘There is no way I am spending my adult money on that,’ I found myself making a completely different list. Not of the things I’d buy, but of the things that make life richer without costing a thing.
While many of us are being a little more mindful about how and where we spend these days, joy hasn’t suddenly become expensive. It’s actually flippen free.
It’s the laugh that leaves your tummy sore. Your dog greeting you at the front door. Spotting the moon before you climb into bed. Or sitting around a braai where nobody notices how late it’s getting because the conversation is just that good. It’s a hug when you need one. A compliment that brightens someone’s day. Helping a stranger. Putting your phone down for an hour and remembering that the world is still pretty wonderful without a screen in front of you.
None of that needs to be ‘added to cart.’ It’s all mahala. So, here’s my version of the trend. Seven things that are worth absolutely everything…and don’t cost a cent.
Compliment a Stranger
It costs absolutely nothing to tell someone something kind, but both of you usually walk away feeling a little brighter. A few weeks ago, we shared a story about The Compliment Revolution, where two Capetonians stopped strangers simply to tell them they were beautiful. The photos captured before and after each compliment said it all. People quite literally lit up. You never know what someone is carrying, and sometimes a few kind words are enough to remind someone that they’re seen. Be the light!
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Move Your Body
Notice I didn’t say exercise. Go for a walk. Dance around the kitchen while dinner’s on the stove. Stretch between meetings. Kick a ball around with your kids. Do whatever gets you moving.
We recently featured Reece Kruser, who’s been running at least two kilometres every day this year. His story isn’t only about running, though. It’s about showing up for yourself. Moving your body almost always leaves you feeling better than when you started. Just do it!
Do Something Kind for Someone Else
I strongly believe that what you put into the world has a funny way of finding its way back to you. It’s ‘The Secret’. The law of attraction. And it doesn’t have to cost you a cent. Just hold the door open. Check in on a friend. Help a neighbour. Volunteer at your local animal shelter. Not only are you creating good ‘karma’ – if that’s what you believe in – it is also rewarding to know that you’ve made someone else’s day easier. It feels good to be good, and kindness has a ripple effect that reaches way beyond the moment you put it into the world.
Spend Time in the Sunshine
It’s amazing how often the answer is simply…go outside. Just 10 or 15 minutes outside can do wonders. It helps your body produce vitamin D, encourages better sleep, gives you a natural energy boost and has a wonderful way of lifting your mood. It’s no coincidence that so many of us feel a little more like ourselves after spending time outdoors. Get your bum in the sun, man!
Do Hard Things
Because those hard things become the stories you’re proudest of. Apply for the job. Make the phone call. Start the hobby. Sign up for the class. Go to the event even if you don’t know anyone. You don’t have to do something huge every day, but every now and then it’s worth reminding yourself that you’re capable of more than you think.
Take an Everything Shower…Seriously!
If you know, you know. An everything shower is exactly what it sounds like. Hair wash. Hair mask. Exfoliate. Shave if that’s your thing. Deep condition. Face mask afterwards. Moisturise from head to toe. Fresh pyjamas. Bonus points if you’re climbing into clean sheets afterwards. Use the products you’ve already got sitting in the bathroom cupboard, put on your favourite jams and enjoy an hour that’s entirely about you. It is worth it!
Make Time for the People You Love
It’s funny how seeing your favourite people can sometimes feel like a mission…until you’re actually with them. Then suddenly you’re wondering why you don’t do this more often. Spending time with the people you love is one of the most wholesome ways to recharge. We laugh more. We put our phones down. We remember stories we’ve forgotten. We feel seen. Yes, life gets busy. Everyone’s calendars are full. But making time for the people you love is one of those things you’ll almost never regret. Your cup ends up a little fuller, your shoulders drop and you leave with good memories. Why skimp on that?
What’s on your list? Let us know!
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