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What are some fun & inexpensive activities you enjoy?

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  • What are some fun & inexpensive activities you enjoy?

    What are some fun & inexpensive activities you enjoy?

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    Here are some ideas for inexpensive/free activities that won’t break the bank. Anything else you'd like to add?

    1. At Home:

    Play a Board Game Together – Inexpensive/Free – Monopoly, Scrabble, Clue, Chess are always classics. If you are into more niche games there's always Settlers of Catan, Dominion, El Granda, Puerto Rico, Acquire, etc.

    Dinner and Dancing at Home – Inexpensive/Free – Cook together and then spend the evening dancing.

    Have a Movie Marathon – Lord of the Rings, Bourne, Star Wars, or even just a few good chick flicks.

    Home Picnic – Inexpensive/Free – If the weather doesn’t cooperate have your spread on the living room floor!

    Work on a Puzzle Together – Inexpensive/Free – 100, 500, or 1000+ pieces. Good fun that can take hours (literally).

    2. Outside Activities:

    Go on a Picnic – Inexpensive/Free – Sandwich makings, some fruit, juice, and a little dessert make a great outing!

    Go for A Moonlight Walk – Free – Romantic, fun, and costs nothing.

    Go Hiking – Free – For those more physically inclined who love the outdoors.

    Go Rock Climbing – Inexpensive/Free – For those with adventurous spirits and the gear rock climbing can be great fun.

    Go for A Bike Ride – Free – For those more physically inclined who love the outdoors but rather ride something. Miles of fun!

    Fly a Kite – Inexpensive/Free – Buy it the first time. Then enjoy those windy days!

    Play a Sport Together – Free – For those more physically inclined who love sports. Basketball, Racquetball, Tennis, or Golf are always fun.

    Live Music – Inexpensive/Free – Some great little known bands out there at restaurants and/or bars.

    Botanical Gardens – Free – Enjoy nature in your local city.

    Go to a Park and Throw a Frisbee – Inexpensive/Free – What great fun. Frisbee golf is always an option if you have more than one Frisbee.

    Walk the Dog – Free – Take your pup to a park and have a blast!

    People Watching – Free – At a local park or even the mall (I know that’s not outside but…)

    3. Shop:

    Test Drive Vehicles – Free – It’s great to dream and even drive various vehicles. Just don’t get suckered into a deal.

    Go House Shopping – Free – Once again it’s great to dream. Just don’t get suckered into a deal.

    Garage Sales – Inexpensive – Find good deals and hidden gems.

    Thrift Stores – Inexpensive – Used yet nice. Good way to save money.

    $10 Challenge – Inexpensive – See who can get the best deals/values for under $10. Or better yet. Go to a store like half price books and see what you can get for $10 then leave after purchasing nothing. Great way to get to know someone else’s tastes.

    Go Get Ice Cream – Inexpensive – Instead of going out to eat and paying $10-$30 a plate eat at home. Then go out for yummy ice cream!

    Antique Shops – Inexpensive/Free – Never know what treasures might be waiting. Don’t have the cash? Don’t buy anything.

    4. Relatively Inexpensive:

    Go Bowling – Inexpensive – A fund night at the bowling alley!

    Go Roller Skating – Inexpensive – Music, skating, fun. What else is needed?

    Go Ice Skating – Inexpensive – Dress warm. Just don’t break a leg!

    Volunteer Together – Free – Help a local charity, tutor some kids, volunteer at a local church or community center.

    Breakfast/Brunch at Home and a Matinee – Inexpensive – Enjoy each other’s company and save by going to a show during the day.

    Art Exhibit – Inexpensive/Free – What is going on downtown?

    Museum – Inexpensive/Free – What is going on downtown?

    Sports Teams – Inexpensive – Basketball, Football, Hockey, Soccer, Baseball are all great fun. And you don’t have to do the whole “professional” thing. Try the local high schools or college. Or if that doesn’t appeal try the local sports-bar.

    Go to the Local Library – Free – Great fun to read together at say Barnes & Noble. Great for movie rentals too. If they don’t have what you want order it and pick it up in a few days.

    Make a Time Capsule – Inexpensive/Free – Write down what you’re doing today and open it all up in 10 years.

    Color or Draw – Inexpensive/Free – Make or color pictures together. Abstract or more realistic. What’s your style?

    Thoughts? Anything to add to the list?
    ~ Eagle

  • #2
    My husband and I sometimes look up songs on Youtube that were popular when we were in junior high, high school, or college. Kinda dorky, but it's actually pretty fun. My teenage daughter will poke her head in the room long enough to tell us that "this music is HORRIBLE" and then leave.

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    • #3
      Originally posted by hamchan View Post
      My husband and I sometimes look up songs on Youtube that were popular when we were in junior high, high school, or college. Kinda dorky, but it's actually pretty fun. My teenage daughter will poke her head in the room long enough to tell us that "this music is HORRIBLE" and then leave.
      That's a great idea hamchan

      LOL @ your daughter's reaction.
      ~ Eagle

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      • #4
        having games night / movie night is right up my alley

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        • #5
          Originally posted by gradi View Post
          having games night / movie night is right up my alley
          What are some of your favorite games?

          We like having another couple over for dinner then playing games.
          ~ Eagle

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          • #6
            My personal favorites are hiking (which I do 2 to 3 times a week), playing computer games (which are great when the weather isn't), reading (books from the library are free) and watching DVDs (Netflix is less than $10 a month, libraries have them, and I have a 300-DVD collection I can watch over and over again).
            Retired To Win
            I blog weekly on frugal living, personal finance & earlier retirement at:
            retiredtowin.com
            making the most of my time and my money

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by Retired To Win View Post
              My personal favorites are hiking (which I do 2 to 3 times a week), playing computer games (which are great when the weather isn't), reading (books from the library are free) and watching DVDs (Netflix is less than $10 a month, libraries have them, and I have a 300-DVD collection I can watch over and over again).
              Nice! Yes, reading books from the library free is a great idea!

              What kind of books do you read? What kind of computer games do you like? What are some of your favorite movies?
              ~ Eagle

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              • #8
                reading forums and going to yard sales/thrift stores.

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                • #9
                  Our city promotes dozens of activities each week and there is always something on discount like wave pool, Saturday or Sunday Matinee for amateur theatre groups, learn about Symphony - meet the featured instrument's musicians, learn healthy cooking, cooking with your kids, meet the featured artist at [specific] gallery, dog show including agility and obedience, some type of film festival with post screen discussion, Wit & Writing course, African Violet Trunk Show, Military Museum. Home Depot has 'How To...' nearly every Saturday AM.

                  The various library branches have some type of activity nearly daily like Seeking Jane Austen. I think they rotate popular programs through the branches. In our area it's popular to go visit a ranch, farm, plant nursery, greenhouses, petting zoo etc. They have tons of things to sell and many offer home cooked, ranch meals which most visitors enjoy but there is no admission and no pressure to spend money.

                  Now that the weather is better several restaurant groups or nearby small towns offer Chili or Slider or BBQ 'competitions' Visitors are encouraged to buy 12 tickets for $ 10. and try out sample size offerings of 12 vendors [usually about 20 vendors to choose from]. You['re asked to rate preferences for the vendors you picked. The servers play hawkers and do a hilarious spiel to persuade you to try their product.
                  Last edited by snafu; 04-08-2014, 12:18 PM.

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                  • #10
                    Never paying full price for live theatre!

                    I live in the Los Angeles area and love live theatre. Instead of paying $60 for a seat in the Balcony or causing way worse financial damage in the lower sections, I discovered years ago a hidden gem that most still are not aware of nor take advantage of. (Better for me I guess!!)

                    The Music Center in Los Angeles has a Hot Tix program (for the Ahmanson and Mark Taper theaters) that allows the less than super affluent crowd to purchase "limited view" tickets in all different sections (usually off to the side but you never miss much at all) for ONLY $20!! That's right!! $20!!! A lot of these seats are also in the Orchestra, Mezzanine and Balcony boxes which can be quite a kick to sit in. These tickets are in limited supply and usually sell out within a few weeks of the show's run, depending on how long each show is playing. However, on the DAY OF the show, anyone can go up to the box office in person after 12PM and purchase $20 seats in the balcony (almost ALWAYS available)!! Sometimes you're a little high up there, but hey, you're still in the building and get to hear everything going on!

                    My mom and I just went in last weekend and saw the new show, Harmony (music written by Barry Manilow) on Saturday night, and sat in the 2nd row of the Orchestra for only $20/seat!!! It was incredible and so much fun to get to see all of the detail and be right there with the actors.

                    My suggestion for those who love live theatre but can not afford super expensive seats - call your local theaters and find out if they have any discount ticket programs. Most of them do and you'll probably be pleasantly surprised!

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                    • #11
                      Catching up on missed seasons from the library!

                      Love to catch up on missed seasons of my favorite shows with free DVD rentals from my local library! Sure beats buying them and having to store them in my already crowded house!!

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                      • #12
                        Hikes and thrift stores are by far my favorite.

                        Just going on a hike with friends is something you can't put a price on.

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                        • #13
                          I have a lab that requires quite a bit of exercise, so we go out and walk in the woods behind my house as often as I can.
                          Brian

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                          • #14
                            Originally posted by chubbyclouds View Post
                            reading forums and going to yard sales/thrift stores.
                            I enjoy personal finance forums and blogs too.

                            Yard sales and thrift stores are great. For our season of life with kids we like going to cognsignment stores such as Just Between Friends.

                            Originally posted by roxymoxie14 View Post
                            Love to catch up on missed seasons of my favorite shows with free DVD rentals from my local library! Sure beats buying them and having to store them in my already crowded house!!

                            The local library is a great resource! No reason to add clutter to the house on a DVD you might watch once or twice.
                            ~ Eagle

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                            • #15
                              Originally posted by AggieLife View Post
                              Hikes and thrift stores are by far my favorite.

                              Just going on a hike with friends is something you can't put a price on.
                              Hikes can be fun. I think they're better in groups too.

                              Originally posted by bjl584 View Post
                              I have a lab that requires quite a bit of exercise, so we go out and walk in the woods behind my house as often as I can.
                              Pets are great! We hope to have a pet for our kids when they get older. Hopefully by then I'll get raises to be able to afford a pet.
                              ~ Eagle

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