Readly – the perfect treat for a little bit of ‘me-time’

readly review

I don’t know about you, but I have a tendency to put myself last. It’s what Mama’s do. We spend so much off our time and energy looking after our kiddos, making sure they what they need, running around doing a million different tasks each and every day, that sometimes we forget that we are important too. I often neglect my self care – when time is so precious, taking half an hour to do something ‘just because’ for myself often leaves me feeling a little guilty. Likewise treating myself – I’ll buy things that the kiddos need/like/want without a second thought, but rarely splash any cash on myself.

Yet, I know from experience, that I’m actually a far better Mama when I do take that time for myself. When I treat myself now and then, have an hour in a coffee shop to myself, or a long soak in the bath, or buy myself a treat.

My guilty pleasure used to be magazines. I’d buy myself one at least once a week, and sneak off for a bath, or take it to bed with a cup of tea. It was a great way to unwind, do a little reading and just relax. I’m not sure when I stopped buying magazines regularly, but every now and then I’ll pick one up in the shop and then end up putting it back, telling myself I don’t need it.

readly - magazine app

A couple of weeks ago, I was introduced to the Readly app. Readly is ‘the ultimate magazine subscription’. For just £7.99 a month you get unlimited access to over 1500 magazine titles. You can read as many as you like each month, you can even download them to read offline. I signed up, and was impressed with the array of titles. The app gives you the option to add your favourites to a list, for easy searching. I found many of the magazines I love to read – from Mollie Makes, to Grazia, to Living, Etc.

I was a little dubious at first at reading a magazine on a tablet {it took me a long time to come around to reading a book on there too!} but honestly, it’s my new favourite thing. If I find myself with a little pocket of time, I can sneak off and read the latest issue – no worrying about getting to the shop to purchase it first! And from a cost perspective – what a bargain! With most of the magazines I buy costing £4.99 each a month – you only have to read two magazines and you’ve already saved money! {It’s also a space saving method – I still have a cupboard full of old magazines ‘just in case’ taking up space!! At least on the tablet they don’t fill my house!}

readly - making some mama time

Readly also lets you create user profiles and share on up to 5 devices, making it even better value. I made profiles for the girls and they have it on their laptops – there’s a tonne of great magazines for kids on there too!

If you want to give Readly a twirl – sign up through my link here, and you’ll get a whole month for free!

7 Comments

  1. Alice

    July 4, 2016 at 20:16

    This is such a fab idea: with the exception of food magazines I NEVER return to mags once I’m done with them and I’d feel a lot greener doing it this way. x

  2. Jess @ Along Came Cherry

    July 5, 2016 at 07:32

    This looks great! I am the same about feeling guilty for having any time to myself, I don’t know why and wish I didn’t! x

  3. Slummy single mummy

    July 5, 2016 at 12:01

    Interesting. I LOVE magazines, but I like tearing things out and cutting and sticking, and having them to hold, so I’m not sure how I’d get on with a tablet version.

  4. Laura

    July 8, 2016 at 01:28

    This app sounds amazing, especially for busy mamas who want something inspiring to read on the go or when they have a spare 5 mins.

    Laura x

  5. Kathryn

    July 10, 2016 at 20:57

    Oh wow that is such a good idea and value for money. I’m also a magaholic but then I feel bad when all my old copies start to mount up. Thanks for sharing xx

  6. Rachel

    July 14, 2016 at 22:55

    What a good idea – will have to take the free trial. I wonder if it works on a laptop or phone? I spend a lot of time on my phone whilst feeding the baby and am always after new things to read.

  7. Fritha

    July 18, 2016 at 19:32

    oooh I need to get on this! I spend at least a fiver a month on mags! x

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