Apr 3 | Money Saving Tips | 3 comments
36 Things to do instead of spending money
Quite often, when we think about cutting back on spending, we also think that boredom is inevitable. That doesn’t have to be the case at all! Here are 36 things to do instead of spending money and to help you have fun while you keep your budget in check!
- Learn a new game
- Read a book
- Write an Encouraging Email, Text, or Letter
- Try New Food Combinations (Pretend you’re on a cooking show and see what kind of meals you can come up with while only using random items from your cupboards.
- Make some Money (sell stuff you no longer need!)
- Cross things off your To-Do List
- Seek out free community activities
- Try out a New Hairstyle (Pinterest is a great place to get hair style inspiration.)
- Go for a Walk
- Go camping in your backyard
- Write a bucket list
- Take a Nap
- Rearrange some Furniture
- House Hunt using a Realtor app
- Invite a friend over for coffee or tea
- Pick some wildflowers
- Organize the junk drawer or a messy closet
- Watch funny videos on YouTube
- Shop your closet for a new outfit combination
- Bake something
- Sign up for Swagbucks
- Listen to a podcast (I love Young House Love Has a Podcast!)
- Read the archives of your favorite blogs
- Actually make some of your Pinterest Pins you have found on Pinterest
- Cross something off your to-do list
- Mend your clothes that need mending
- Use your gift cards
- Tackle an organizing project
- Clean the car
- Call a long distance relative with Skype or Google Hangouts
- Make cards for upcoming birthdays
- Bake your favourite cookies
- Return bought items you’ve been meaning to return
- Sign up for a free trial at a local gym
- List things on Kijiji or Craigslist to make some money
- Clean your outdoor spaces
What are some other things to do instead of spending money? I’d love to read all your ideas in the comments below!
Siobhanon June 22, 2013 at 11:13 am
See Also10 Ways to Save Money On Holiday - Time and PenceTop 12 Banking Secrets They Don't Want You to Know15 Money Saving Tips for Retirees | Frugal Tips for SeniorsIndia’s fintech revolution is primed to put banks out of business | TechCrunchThese are all great ideas! Thank you. How about:
Movie sing-along: Chose a movie like Sound of Music, Mama Mia, West Side Story and have a movie sing-alongVisit a library: can be a lot of fun – also a great place to borrow DVD’s. We love going and then coming home with our treasures. It’s like shopping without spending money. Many libraries also let you borrow back issues of magazines – great for a rainy weekend with a cup of tea.
Scavenger Hunts: both the kind we are used to but also ones with items that take some creativity – your nominee for granny of the year, a super hero we really need…fun for adults too.
Visit the Beach, without leaving the house: Fun, especially with kids on a sunny or stormy winter’s day. Fill the tub. Put on bathing suits and sunglasses. Spread picnic blanket on a floor – preferably some place where the sun shines in the window. Have a picnic after the “swim” and take a nap under a beach towel.
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Alisonon April 3, 2013 at 1:51 pm
Love this post!
This week I decided that I wanted to buy a kitchen table for my suite because I don’t currently have one. Since it is the no spend challenge this month I can’t just run out and buy one with my savings. Once I started thinking about it I decided to try and make the money for a table this month by selling items on Craigslist. This evening I’ll be making my first $40 towards it!Other things I like to do that don’t involve spending money…
Spa nights at home: Have a bunch of friends bring over various things from home (nail polish, foot soaks, items for facials, etc) and have a spa evening together complete with girly dvds.
Afternoon tea: Bake some cookies and have tea with friends and family. Great low key, low stress way to spend time together.
Craft day: Dust off all the craft items hiding on your shelves and finish off those scrap books or create some home-made cards. Making cards will save you money in the future too because you won’t have to go out and buy them.
Host a clothing swap: If you have an urge to shop, organize a clothing and household item swap among friends. Everyone can bring over unwanted items that are in good condition and will get to choose from the items that other people bring. This can be clothing only or include jewelery, dvd’s, or whatever you might like.
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Simply Frugalon April 3, 2013 at 9:29 pm
Those are great ideas Alison! Thanks for sharing!
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