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Trying to think of things to enjoy without going broke? In an age when money is tight, it can be tough to enjoy yourself.
You might think that spending a ton of money on a fancy dinner or concert is the only way to have fun without feeling like you’re missing out on something. But there are plenty of ways to enjoy life without breaking the bank!
9 Things to enjoy without going broke
Hsving fun doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Here are some frugal fun activities to explore:
- Having a picnic
- Hosting a potluck buffet party
- Drinking wine in the park
- Taking an exercise class
- Window shop at a flea market
- Free concert
- Cabaret and cheese night
- Library
- Beach
1. Have a picnic
You can have a picnic anywhere you like. The ideal picnic venue is one with plenty of trees and grass, but if you don’t have that, any location with food, drinks and blankets will do.
Picnic foods are pretty much anything that doesn’t require cooking to enjoy.
This includes sandwiches, fruit and veggies, cheese and crackers—even ice cream!
You can also bring simple snacks like popcorn or chips to round out the spread. Just don’t forget the drinks: water is best for keeping hydrated on hot days; wine or beer go well with heavier foods such as sandwiches or grilled meats; sparkling cider pairs perfectly with roasted chicken (and champagne!).
Now that you’ve got your food taken care of—how about some games?
Lawn games like lawn darts and badminton are fun options for adults who want to compete against each other while kids run around trying not to get hit by errant arrows (they usually lose).
If all your friends are too old for lawn darts but too young for bocce ball—try charades instead! Kids love this game because they get lots of chances at being silly while adults get plenty of opportunities to embarrass themselves in front of everyone else (don’t worry though—no one’s judging).
If all this talk about picnics has made you hungry then let me tell ya something…
2. Host a party with a potluck buffet
If you’re hosting a party, consider having a potluck buffet.
You don’t have to spend much on food, and there’s something for everyone. In addition, people will bring the dishes they like best—so it’s a great way to try new things! Plus, you can save money by buying in bulk or sharing the cost with friends.
You may want some guidance on how to create an inviting atmosphere (and avoid awkwardness when people bring different dishes). We’ve written about this before:
- [Hosting a Potluck Party](https://www.budget101com/content/hosting-potluck-party)
3. Drink wine in the park
- Drink wine in the park.
- For those with a love of nature, but not an unlimited budget, there are plenty of ways to enjoy a day outside without breaking the bank. One of these is to take your wine (and friends) to the park and drink it there! There’s something about sipping wine on picnic benches or in lawn chairs that makes you realize how much you’re missing by never allowing yourself such simplicity.
4. Take an exercise class
Exercise classes are a great way to meet new people, get a good workout, and save money.
If you’re looking for something fun but don’t want to break the bank on fitness class fees, try taking a class at your local community center or recreation center.
For example, in my area there’s an adult ballet class that meets twice a week and costs only $12 per session!
Another option is taking exercise classes online or through DVDs from your local library (or even borrowing them from friends). You can find lots of free exercise videos on YouTube as well—just search for “workout videos” or “bootybuilding.”
I want to try Hotworx.
5. Browse a flea market or antique fair
Flea markets and antique fairs are great places to find some amazing deals.
You can find things at flea markets that you might have thought were impossible to find, including antiques and collectibles.
If you’re looking for something specific in your home or office, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to find it on a flea market or antique fair. There are also some really cool handmade items which make nice gifts for friends and family members.
6. Go to a free concert
One of the best ways to enjoy music without spending money is by going to a free concert. You can find them all over, whether you’re at home or on vacation.
There are lots of ways to find free concerts in your area:
- Search for free concerts online. If you know what kind of music you want to hear, it’s easy enough to find websites that list upcoming performances and put them all into one place for convenient viewing. If you don’t know much about the genre but still want live shows, look up local radio stations or newspapers for announcements about upcoming events—they often host free concerts as fundraisers for things like local schools and hospitals.
- Ask friends and family if they know of any free concerts coming up this weekend! They’re always more than happy to share their knowledge with others (it feels good), so do some detective work around town until someone gives you something useful!
7. Have a cabernet and cheese night
Have a cabernet and cheese night. If you don’t know what to do with your weekend, here’s a suggestion: go to a local wine store and try a new wine or an old favorite.
Then, find some cheese that pairs well with it, and make yourself an appetizer with that cheese and maybe some bread or crackers too.
This is an easy way to enjoy the finer things in life without spending too much money on them—and it can be just as fun as going out on the town!
8. Use your library card
Going to the library is a fun and free activity for book lovers. You can even get movies and audio books. This is one of my favorites in this roundup of things to enjoy without going broke.
- Go to the library.
- Check out some books.
- Use your library card! If you don’t already have one, get one! And then use it for more than just checking out books. Many libraries offer DVDs, CDs and other resources in addition to books—you’ll find them all under “Reference” or “Media” at most libraries. Also check if there are computers available for public use (often for free).
9. Go to the beach
The beach is a great example of things to enjoy without going broke, The beach is a place to hang out without spending a lot of money. You can enjoy yourself with just your friends, your family, or you and someone special.
Or you can even bring along your dog!
Enjoying life doesn’t have to be expensive
You don’t have to be rich to enjoy life. There are plenty of things you can do for free, and there are often ways you can make your own fun without spending a penny.
In your area, there are likely many events that are free or low-cost.
If you’re feeling adventurous, try going somewhere new on your next trip out—you may find some great sights that way!
You could also ask friends if they know of any interesting places around town (or even online) that aren’t too far away from where you live.
Also think about what kind of activities interest you most: whether it’s movies and concerts or hiking trails and gardens; having a hobby is great because then when people ask what they should do during the weekend or when they have time off work/school/etc., they’ll know exactly what’s up with your schedule already!
If you don’t like these ideas, you can always look into ways to make money for extra cash.
With a little creativity, you can have fun without spending a lot of money. There are plenty of free or cheap ways to enjoy yourself!