Cheap Thrills: 10 Free Ways To Have Fun
We’ve all heard the saying that the best things in life are free. Some of the best ways to spend time with your family, catch up with friends, share a date or entertain yourself are also free. Here’s a list to get you started to sharing the good times for a great price – nothing.
- Be a tourist in your own city: Look in the events section of your local Friday newspaper or visit www.free-attractions.com to find free events such as walking tours, outdoor movie showings, concerts and street fairs in your area. If the weather permits, pack a picnic and discover your city’s parks and natural areas.
- Get ready for romance: Learn French or Italian in 12 weeks with weekly email tips and free courses at bbc.co.uk/languages. Audio and video lessons are also available for German, Spanish, Greek, Portuguese and Chinese, among others. While you are learning for free, you can be saving for a romantic dinner when you can order in your new language.
- Get the picture: Grab your camera and go on a photo safari or launch a photo scavenger hunt where everyone must get shots of a list of random items. You can also save money by turning the photos into greeting and note cards.
- Check it out: The local library offers free books, movies and audio books and special programs such as lectures and movies. Bookstores also have a calendar of free events at their stores or online.
- Game on: Get your board games out of the closet and challenge your family and friends. Investigate the adult and youth community sports teams in your area and consider joining as a player or volunteer.
- Download savings: Visit cnet.com and search for freeware to find new programs to try or improve your work skills by downloading a free copy of office applications at openoffice.org.
- Movie marathon: If your movie collection is collecting dust, it is time to watch an old favorite or schedule a mini-movie marathon. Create your own film festival featuring the same star, director or film locations.
- Learn to do it yourself: Pick up a do-it-yourself manual at the library and teach yourself a new skill that might save you money such as oil changes, clothing alterations, minor plumbing repairs and more.
- Cooking challenge: Look in the back of your kitchen shelves for items you bought that you never used. Now create a meal using all those ingredients or invite your friends to bring over their unused items and create a pot luck contest to make the best dishes.
- Shape up: Get on your bike, walk around the neighborhood, swim in a free municipal pool or record exercise programs on television. Not only will exercising make you feel better, but you won't be carrying the weight of paying for a gym membership.
