14 Fun Things to do that won’t break the bank
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A list for the frugal and broke! Here are 10 things that you can do for fun without breaking the bank this weekend. Proving positive you don’t need Kardashian-level luxury to have fun.
It’s the weekend, so what are you planning to do?
The price tag is discouraging, but you don’t have to spend to have a good time.
You can have fun and be frugal without a lot of money
1. TREAT YOURSELF TO A SPA DAY
Yes, that’s correct: a spa day.
Your health is your wealth.
And it doesn’t even break the bank or require an insurance plan. My secret? Groupon. Aside from getting a deal on a nice restaurant now and again, it’s a great way to save – and explore – new activities. You’d be surprised how rich you actually are and how rich your life can be.
Plus, after being in the office all day, I’d be happy with a back massage. Future you will thank you.
2. we all scream for ICE CREAM
Grab a friend, head to the beach, and grab an ice cream cone.
According to science, eating ice cream really does make you happy!
The sweet and cold treat ranked at the top of a list of happiness responses. Apparently, the human brain responds to consuming ice cream the same way it would to listening to your favourite music or winning the lottery.
You can’t “buy happiness”, but you can buy ice cream, which is the same thing. š
3. DATE YOUR CITY
Spice up your routine and take a walk outside your usual day-to-day life.
Shop from that other grocer in that other part of town. Take another route to work. Go walk (or run) and wander without purpose in that area you’re always curious about. Science says it’s actually good for you. Join a free tour group and listen in on fun history lessons about your city in culture, architecture, and artists.
Let serendipity surprise you and get to know your city like you would a person. That endorphin does the body good!
4. HOST A POTLUCK
Pick a theme. Set a time. Make sure you have enough utensils. And catch up with friends over recipes inspired by a favourite book.
Or dishes inspired by their favourite places. Or a soup party where half brings soup and the other half a selection of bread and desserts.
Best of all, delegation and planning are minimal. In fact, it’s encouraged! Let your friends explore their creativity without breaking the bank. Ironically, the more you make, quite often you find yourself more to take home. Far more affordable than eating out. And you don’t sacrifice quality! (Unless you have that one friend, but we love them, don’t we? DON’T WE?)
5. HOST a clothes swap
Invite friends with similar tastes (and maybe the same size) over and bring their gently used clothes, bags, accessories, scarves, and even shoes.
Your wardrobe will get an update at no cost, and your friends benefit too!
It doesn’t have to be clothes! How about baby stuff with your fellow new parents – toddlers outgrow their clothes super quick. Swap books, DVDs, CDs, with another book club.
Eco-friendly, and giving your swaps a second home and a second life. Cost? Maybe make sure your drinks are stacked.
6. JUST HAVE THAT STARBUCKS
Financial gurus will say to get rich means cutting off the fat indulgences like your favourite $5 lattes. The so-called “latte factor”.
I know of people who refuse to give up their siracha sauce because it is what they live by. I don’t blame them! Because we both know it’s not the coffee. Or the sauce. It’s your personal decision in the end and you can put your efforts elsewhere if you want to save.
Better yet, what if you don’t have to sacrifice your Starbucks indulgences?
Here’s my favourite saving money hack on how I get free Starbucks!
I signed up for Swagbucks and got my Starbucks for free! Just by answering surveys, surfing the web, and watching videos, you can earn your way to lattes. They also have other gift card options from Walmart, Amazon, Esso to redeem. Sometimes even Paypal Cash cards if you can’t decide. I redeem my Starbucks card at $50 which lasts me 2 weeks on my morning coffee run. =)
If you sign up for Swagbucks now, you can get started with a FREE WELCOME BONUS.
7. INDULGE IN HAPPY HOUR
A lot of restaurants have specials during the week that isn’t full price on other days.
My book club takes advantage of the discounts with Wednesdays being ladies’ night at our local dive for both drinks and food.
A lot of watering holes have quite a lot of specials and discounts on alcohol. Time your evenings just right, and you can avoid the big bill and the big hangover.
8. GEOCACHING
This is the biggest treasure hunt in the world using nothing but your GPS on your phone.
Geocaching is a type of global treasure hunt of people looking for hidden stashes of objects or “treasure”. It’s very much like a hide-and-seek game where hiders provide clues for seekers. Once you find your “treasure”, you can take something from the cache, leave something behind for the next finder, and log about it in the cache’s logbook.
9. VOLUNTEER
One thing I’m passionate about is being able to host and cook for people I hold dear.
When my friends and I found out about Ronald McDonald House’s ‘Home for Dinner/Meals that Heal’ Program for Sick Kids Hospital, we rallied.
The House gives a home to families and their children seeking treatment from the nearby Sick Kids Hospital. The treatments can be expensive and families come from all over the world to seek them.
The last thing they want to do after a whole day at the hospital is to go back to their hotel to be sold a ‘holiday cocktail party’ at the restaurant.
The Ronald McDonald House gives room and board to these families who find support and solidarity together. Volunteers make sure that when they come back from their long day, they would have a hot home-cooked meal waiting for them.
The program has gone through changes since COVID, and there are many more ways to help and donate, but this by far was the most rewarding weekend.
10. UPDATE YOUR IMPOSSIBLE LIST
Joel Runyon coined the concept of having an āimpossible listā. This isnāt a bucket list full of things that donāt really matter and many of them are seemingly impossible to ever do. This is an evolving, growing list of things I genuinely want to challenge myself to do. I’m a big fan of reinvention and this list helps me keep accountable. I offer that same challenge to you.
Reserve some time this weekend. Put that phone on silent. Make that coffee (or grab one). And ask yourself to write a list of what is meaningful to you.
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11. BUDGET RAMEN COOK-OFF! (MY FAV~!)
Ramen is one of my poisons of choice. Did I mention how much I like hosting and cooking? Ramen typically costs $0.50 – $1.00 per pack! Compete with your friends on who would make the most cost-effective, creative, and delicious dish out of the Japanese staple.
Alternatively, designate people to bring their favoured ramen toppings like boiled eggs, green onions, or corn. How many unexpected ingredients will be involved? The winner is dubbed the Noodle Top Chef!
12. CHEAP OUTDOOR WORKOUTS
Other than dating your city, there’s just an urge to get out of the house and move
- Get outside and rent that bike
- Rollerblading
- In-line skating
- Swim at your local community centre/beach
- Skating
- Hike
- Join a badminton/pingpong club
- Walk along the beach
13. THE LIBRARY
Did you know you can rent movies, resources, albums, and even equipment from your local library? It blew my mind that my city of Toronto can sign out passes and free admission to cultural attractions, just like a library card. That’s better than a CityPass. Explore all of the science and art museums and the Toronto Zoo without spending a dime!
What does your local community offer?
14. START A BLOG! š
Keep yourself accountable and help others with what you’re passionate about! I was able to make invaluable people because of this blogging journey and I’m grateful for it. So who knows what opportunities your blog will have!
