No Money, No Problem
Often times, I hear people say that they can’t go anywhere because they don’t have any money to do anything. Truth is (according to me) you don’t need a lot of money to have a good time, it helps, but it’s not necessary. Today many people are either on a budget or simply don’t have the funds to do what they want to in the form of recreation. So what do you do, stay home? Nope! You look for alternative, free or low cost activities you can enjoy without breaking the bank. Below is a list of the few places I take advantage of when my bank account is on life support.
Library. This is one of my favorite places to hang out. Many people are unaware of the free activities offered through the library. Some libraries have writing clubs where writers get together to discuss their work and have it critiqued by other writers. There are book and poetry clubs, free walking tours around town, parenting classes, story time for young kids and teen book groups. Check out the event page on your local library’s website, you might be surprised at the activities or the entertainment you can find there for free.
Park. Take the family, or yourself, to the park and have lunch there instead of at home. Bring some board games, ride your bike, go fly a kite or sit on the park bench and read a book or relax. Little league has also started in many areas, even if your kid isn’t playing, you can still watch the game for free.
Community Bulletin Board. Sign up for your community’s online newsletter to stay current on the events happening around town. Some of them are free or only require a small fee. Also don’t limit signing up just for the newsletter in your neighborhood. In the summertime in a nearby town in my area there’s a free jazz concert every Thursday. The list of entertainers can be emailed to you for future planning or trips. Don’t forget to check out what’s going on at your local schools. Every Friday at my daughter’s school is Movie Night for $2.00 per person or $5.00 for a family, the money is then donated to the PTA and put back into the kids.
Museum. The museum in some areas is free to all visitors. Some do suggest a dollar amount donation, but it’s not required to enter. Often times I pay the suggested amount, but if I don’t plan on being there long, I pay something I can afford. It’s a great place to hang out in the summer, air conditioning included.
Friends and Family. I love entertaining, but after several dinner parties, it adds up! Instead, why not invite just a few friends or family over at a time and make a small meal, order a foot long sub or a pizza. Play board games or cards (any Bid Whisk players), or watch a DVD you already own. Next month, someone else can host a small gathering. Remember the focus is not the meal, but on being together.
It may require a little work on your part, but there are plenty of things to do, many of them free, you just have to know where to look. Not having money to do something doesn’t always mean that something can’t be done. Do you have a favorite free or low cost activity that you can share that doesn’t require breaking the bank?
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Hi Natural,
These are all great ideas.
I like to have lunches or dinners with friends, and everyone brings a favorite dish..potluck. We get to taste each other’s cooking and share recipes too. If someone isn’t a cook, they can contribute a beverage.
A friend of mine recently had a chile “cook off”. That was also a lot of fun. Chile is an inexpensive dish to make and tasting other recipes proved to be interesting. The winner was awarded a little prize.
Movie nights with a big bowl of popcorn is fun too. Invite some girlfriends over to watch a chick flick for lots of laughs.
Barbara Swafford’s last blog post..Blogging - Year One - Lesson One
some good suggestions..you don’t have to spend to have fun…
Hey Barbara..pot luck works too. I’ve done that in the past as well, it lightens the load. Vacation can be done at home once in a while too.
Hey Robert, thanks…and if you do have to spend, you don’t have to spend a lot. There’s a bunch of things to do. I just got an email about an Earth Day activity coming up. Guess what, it’s free.
I am such a fan of Museums. Especially the ones in NYC.
meleah rebeccah’s last blog post..Paid In Full
Me too Meleah Rebeccah, I didn’t know we lived in the same state. I plan to hit the city a lot more this year, if nothing but to walk around. Very exciting.
Great list (thanks for promoting your local library–from a current librarian)! I don’t know that I’d add anything, as I tend to spend any/all free time at local nature centers & parks (if not on my deck, which is even better than the local parks.)
I work only part-time, so I only earn enough to cover my bills & no more, but I find the freedom of my time to be worth so much more than “things,” y’know?
Lana’s last blog post..Etc. Weekend Pictures
I don’t see what determines the strength of the dollar… Is it all the waste by our government?
Mike’s last blog post..Past Subscribers Were Fake
I had to check my reader to see if I got this post. I guess I opened it and got distracted and forgot you updated. Ugh!!!
Anyways, everything here is a great alternative to spending money! I especially like the last one. Not too long the H and I invited our dorky friends over and we had a “Star Trek” night. Some of them even had replica communicators!!!! haha. But that was fun. We spent a little money on pizza and booze, but everyone chipped in, so it was only a few dollars.
But one of my favorite free things to do is watch movies. Combined, the H and I own about 600+ DVD’s (not including TV shows and other boxed sets, or Anime). So yeah, we’ll (me, really) make some snacks and watch some favorites and just relax.
I’m also big on boardgames!
I like going out, but I also love being at home, too!
Jillian’s last blog post..Is it Saturday Already?
I love parks… I’m such a kid. I think it’s fun to take a date to a playground and swing and talk and be silly.
I also love watching movies “On Demand” (not sure where else that’s available) with friends and eating microwave popcorn. OH and a friend once brought her karaoke machine to my place and, although my singing will bring (non-happy) tears to your eyes… we had SO much fun!
Corrina’s last blog post..Yes, Please.
Oh Lana, I love the library, I just do. That’s like “the club” to me, lol. Does that make me boring? Yes! I mean er um, no. Hmmm, local nature centers, good one. Yes, time is more valuable than stuff..some stuff anyway.
Mike, a simple answer would be supply and demand determines the dollars strength. Inflation, the economy (stimulus package). Who said money isn’t worth the paper its printed on is correct. The Feds (Federal Reserve) also plays a part, interest rates, etc.
Jillian, no worries. I just put your blog in my reader too. I’m behind, but always nice to see you here or there.
Corrina, so do I. I get my old self on the swings too. Yeah we have OnDemand as well…some of the movies are good. Karaoke…can’t do it, yet. I like to watch others sing…not me.
Natural’s last blog post..No Money, No Problem
Wait? Do you live in NJ or NYC? I live in NJ…I need to go to NYC more often than I do….there is so much to do and see and experience. Just people watching over there is a good time.
meleah rebeccah’s last blog post..Who Am I?
I’m in New Jersey Meleah. I learned from your MySpace profile that so are you. We’re neighbors. Yes, the city is great and I love just sitting down watching people, sometimes taking pictures of the: I can’t believe you are outside looking like that people. lol
sweeeeeeeeeeet!
Thats great.
We might have to take a ‘lunch’ or a museum trip together in the future!
meleah rebeccah’s last blog post..Who Am I?
Meleah Rebeccah, sounds good. I’ll contact you or send you my info.
This topic is music to my frugal/dark green enviro ears!
Great nice to meet another fellow lover of free cultural enrichment
Hi Susana, oh yeah, I’m a lover of free, low cost, inexpensive, anything. It’s out there for a reason, might as well use it.