Book Launch: $9 Therapy by Megan Reid and Nick Greene

Self-care is a critical, modern movement that has been increasing in popularity over the last several years. However, many of the prevalent practices can often eat up your paycheck. $9 THERAPY proves that it’s possible to take self-care seriously without taking yourself too seriously and—more importantly—without emptying your bank account. The philosophy is simple: sometimes spending nine dollars on an act of self-care will make you a fraction happier.

Self-professed lifestyle gurus Nick Greene and Megan Reid are living proof of this methodology. The authors met while working their first minimum-wage jobs out of school and emerged from the experience with a firm belief in the radical potential of simple pleasures. In $9 THERAPY, they use their hard-won wisdom to show how small, inexpensive treats can elevate your adulting game: whether it’s mindfully repotting a plant to finally drinking from a decent wine glass (even if you can afford only one), to recipes you’ll actually want to cook, to design tips to make even the tiniest spaces look like Instagram-bait. In the words of co-author Greene, “what’s fun about our book is that it’s serious about taking care of yourself but we are not at all serious about ourselves. Life is hard enough without also having to slog through a ponderous metaphysical tome when you’re just trying to make a goddamn pasta sauce while you call your mom back.”

While the authors believe in the value of actual, professional therapy (the book concludes by extolling its benefits), they acknowledge that most people can’t afford the pricey lifestyle trappings that comprise modern wellness culture like spa dates, acupuncture, and laser treatments. Greene and Reid attest that little, low-cost changes can have big effects in your daily life and overall wellbeing. Some of the topics discussed are:

• Solo cups are for beer pong only: you deserve plastic wine glasses
• How to Staycation and make the most of your days off
• Make wine popsicles
• New sheets are expensive. But high thread-count pillowcases? Those you can afford.
• DIY Linen and Room Spray
• Easy recipes for all occasions—from snacking to dinner parties
• Throw out your dead houseplants
• Have dinner by candlelight
• How to be Hungover
• Overwhelmed with your bills and daily tasks? Designate a “get your sh*t together day” every month
• And much more

With enthusiasm and sass (and featuring 30 colorful illustrations), $9 THERAPY rounds up the life hacks and mini-upgrades that make us smile and encourage us to value ourselves and the people we love. This isn’t just therapy: it’s a steal—your mentality and wallet will thank you later.