Trying to live a financially responsible life didn’t seem that hard for me because I don’t like shopping and I don’t need a lot for entertainment. I thought it’d be a breeze to cut back in huge ways on entertainment. Then, out of nowhere, I started to want to do something–anything–fun. While I don’t know exactly what would be fun, it got me to thinking about inexpensive ways to spend a few hours or a day. Here’s what I found:
Food
- Go out to eat, but split meals.
- Invite a group of friends to bring one ingredient. Cook together.
- Eat at home, then go out for dessert.
Movies
- Some theaters offer $5 tickets for pre-noon showings. Otherwise, choose the matinee over an evening movie.
- Redbox movies outside of McDonald’s charges only a dollar for an overnight movie rental.
- Check your local library for free movie rentals.
Entertainment
- Check for local festivals with free food and live entertainment.
- Support local music.
- Gather friends for a game and/or movie night.
Recreation
- Pick up a sport/activity that doesn’t require pricey purchases. You can run without a lot of start-up costs. Look for a used bike. Join a local sports league or start your own.
- Visit a new (to you) park or trail.
- Camp.
For Parents
- Find another family who will trade babysitting favors.
- Get out of the house and play at the park.
- Facilitate kid-friendly social events.
You don’t have to go without fun when living on a tight budget. Remember the key to a successful budget is balance. Add a few bucks a month or week for fun activities and cut back in other areas.
What do you do to have fun on a budget?
