High schoolers and college students are pros when it comes to free fun. They know how to work the discounts, use public amenities, and economize because they have to. You don’t stop the need for fun just because you are broke. Problems only start to arise when those students start to make money and enjoy all the modern conveniences money can buy. Economizing is replaced by frivolous spending that leaves them with more things, but the same low level of financial security. However, there are ways to save money, increase financial independence, and still have fun.
Free Fun
There are countless ways to have fun for free. For couples looking for quality time, going for a walk is a superb way to connect. It can be in your neighborhood, at a park, or out in nature. Not only is it healthy for your body, but it is also healthy for your relationship. Want to connect with friends? Meet up at a park for a game of ultimate frisbee. Have great outdoor options near your home? Go for a swim or a hike. Host a game night at home with a few homemade snacks. Grab a disposable camera and spend the day taking pictures. Go to a movie at a discount theater. These are all great ways to have fun without pilfering your wallet.
Start A Cheap Hobby
Hobbies are a great way to relax, spend leisure time, and many can be done on the cheap. For homebodies, reading, sewing, knitting, baking, and scrapbooking are all great hobbies. For those a little more active, hobbies like running, hiking, biking, and fishing are perfect. The key is to pursue your interests right where you are while keeping finances in mind. Flour and sugar for baking a cake is much cheaper than buying a brand-new snowmobile you’ll use a few times a year. The key is to find things that will bring you joy without the extravagance.
Start A Garden
A great hobby that can save you money and build your confidence is starting a garden. Whether you are using pots on a balcony, or garden boxes, with a little bit of dirt, seeds, and some water, you can grow a variety of produce that will save you money at the grocery store and keep you healthy. Over time, you can find what works best for your climate and what you like to grow the most. It is also fun to experiment with different plants. At the end of the season, you will feel the pride of having grown and eaten your own produce and there is nothing quite like it.
Clean Your Closet
Growing up, your parents probably harped on you relentlessly to clean your room. Now that you have grown up, you’ll find that they were on to something. How many times have you discovered an outfit or pair of shoes you had completely forgotten about? They may have been buried in the back corner of the closet for months, out of sight, out of mind, and sadly, not being used in your wardrobe. So, the next time you are tempted to go out shopping, clean your room first. The closet is free, it’s in your home, and it just waiting to be rediscovered.
Workout At Home
Gym memberships sound great but the truth is, they are highly underutilized. Many people think that if they pay for a membership, it will motivate them to workout but that just isn’t true. Unless you have a strong gym community, chances are you will choose to stay home instead of driving to the gym, essentially wasting money. Part of successfully exercising requires removing inconveniences and unfortunately, the drive to the gym is one of them. So, if you really want to make a change for your health, start at home. Go for a walk around your neighborhood, follow a tv workout program in your front room, or do some yoga. If you can prove consistency at home and really need a gym to improve your health, only then should you get a membership. Otherwise, stay home, save money, and prove you can be consistent.
