8 Fun, Cheap Things To Do This Weekend

Here are some ideas for fun when you’re strapped for cash!

Is it just me, or does it feel like everyone (including me) is running a little tight on cash these days? Each time I pull out my debit card, I start to feel a little tight around the collar. Not like, whoa I can’t breathe… more like, whoa a sushi dinner really costs this much? When did that happen? Let me just unbutton my collar real quick. I’ve always liked the finer things in life (where my fellow Taureans at?) so when I started getting the frugals (the sudden onset of being low-cost), I had to look into it. Is it because it is tax season and we’re all hyper-aware of finances? Or maybe it’s just unfortunate circumstances or unforeseen obstacles that’s taking a chunk of our change? Or can we just simply chalk it up to saying there’s something in the air?  Why, green gods, WHY? Well, whatever the  reason, it happens… and it happens to the best of us. But that doesn’t mean we have to stop having fun, right? RIGHT?? Well, I tested out eight things to do – on the weekend or otherwise – that are fun and cheap and ended up learning that we, in fact, CAN have fun on a dime. And to be honest, I think I’m starting to like having the frugals.

Have a picnic. This, honestly, is one of my favorite things to do. Ever. Grab a blanket, a book, a friend, and music and head to the grass (or rooftop for the city dwellers). Pack a lunch or buy some bread and cheese for the ultimate picnic in a pinch. Frugal tip: Invite friends to join you for a picnic potluck, but everyone is only allowed to bring food that is already in their house.

Host movie night. You can save some major moolah by watching movies at home instead of at the theaters. Invite some friends over and create the perfect movie atmosphere. Interested in making it a backyard movie? Read this.

Go to the flea or farmers market. I don’t do this enough, plain and simple. Farmers and flea markets are the place for deals on cool vintage and rare pieces. But they are also a great places to walk around and be inspired without spending a nickel.

Take turn hosting dinners. In college, I lived in a house with four other girls (I know…) that was just down the block from a house full of our guy friends. Every other week we would host “family dinner” and make a huge pot of spaghetti or flame up the grill. The alternate weeks, the boys would host the girls. I love this idea now as an adult, trading off hosting dinner with friends or neighbors. It’s a cheaper way to “go out” to a meal.

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Have a clothes swap. Girls, you know what I’m talking about. We outgrow clothes, either physically or emotionally, and need to purge. But then we need to buy new clothes to take place of said purged. It’s a vicious cycle, but someone’s gotta do it. But for your next cleaning of clothes, try something a little different: get your girlfriends in on the action by hosting a clothing swap. Every girl brings items she doesn’t want anymore and swaps with every one else. New clothes, totally free.

Game night. Remember how fun board games were when you were little? Well, they still are! Grab a cheap bottle of wine and make a night out of it.

Book club. My roommate and I seemed to have unexpectedly gotten ourselves into an inner-house book club. She and I are reading (well, hearing) the same (audio) book right now and end up discussing the points in the book as we make our way through the day.

Check out local museums. Most museums have free admission one day of the week. Look into it! Go! See art!

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+What are some ways you like to have fun on a budget? Please share in the comments.

Follow Joanna on Instagram.

 

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8 years ago

Lovely list! I was actually planning on doing rotating dinners with my friend for when Game of Thrones starts again!

Kiersten

8 years ago

What lovely ideas! I do have caught the frugal bug and write about it on my blog. I can so relate about the money situation, or lack thereof! Great post ☺

8 years ago

I like to go for hikes with friends and dogs! There are infinite variations on this- bouldering, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, etc. Most national forests and state parks are free to explore!

8 years ago

Lovely list! But I probably will have my ‘me time’ for the weekend after five days work. Well, I need to meditate or maybe go solo to some places that are actually already on my list but I just can’t accomplished it yet. Most of ’em above, I love the idea of host a movie night, go to the flea market or even a local museum.

x Dayu | PR.JA

8 years ago

Great ideas! It’s so hard to find time to do things with our bussy schedules and save money at the same time.
Thank you!

Andy Burley
7 years ago

Very Nice

Julie Ducastel
7 years ago

Very simple ideas, and they are all personal ideas…defiantly want to try this TFS! It doest take much money to do these :)