Chip Chick
With The Holidays Almost Here, Many Of Us Are Realizing We Need To Save Money
The following column is the opinion and analysis of the writer. Whether it be so you can buy your loved one’s holiday gifts, treat yourself to some gifts, buy groceries for a big holiday dinner, or simply get through the winter, this is a good time of year to have a bit of extra money to fall back on.
However, nowadays, saving money feels almost impossible, especially on your days off or over the weekend when you want to treat yourself to a fun experience. It may seem like every single ‘fun’ activity comes with a price, but there are ways to enjoy yourself without spending anything!
Here Are 5 Fun Things You Can Do This Weekend That Don’t Require Spending Money
If you’re interested in adding more no-spend weekends into your schedule, here are some ideas for what you can do during them.
First, you want to plan ahead for your no-spend weekend. For instance, you want to ensure you have enough food in the house to get you through the weekend and that your calendar is clear of any big events. After all, it’s nearly impossible to get through a no-spend weekend if you don’t have dinner at the house and need to get it delivered or if you have a friend’s birthday party that Saturday.
Have An At-Home Movie Night
Look through your streaming services and see their available movies for a movie marathon! Now is the perfect time to have a holiday movie marathon on the couch with friends or on your own.
Pull out some snacks from your snack pantry, grab your favorite blanket, and enjoy one of your favorite films or something you’ve been wanting to see.
Read Or Finish A Book
If you have a book that’s been sitting on your shelf half-read, now is the time to finish it. If you’re following through with a no-spend weekend, you have no excuse but to finish that book!
Make yourself a warm beverage, get in your favorite comfy spot with good lighting, and see how far you can get.
Move Your Body
When you’re practicing a no-spend weekend, it’s like you suddenly have a bunch of time to kill, as you’re not wrapped up in money-spending activities like going out to eat or shopping for hours. If you’re sitting around the house and feeling bored during a no-spend weekend, try a new workout!
You can look up some new workout tutorials on YouTube or simply go for a nice, relaxing walk around your neighborhood. It’ll benefit your well-being and won’t affect your wallet by any means.
Get Inventive In The Kitchen
Not ordering food or buying groceries you don’t need is essential for getting through a no-spend weekend. I, for one, know that I have an addiction to ordering delivery, and I can also get carried away in the grocery store if I’m not mindful of my budget!
So, instead of throwing in the towel and ordering Uber Eats the moment you don’t know what to make for dinner, get inventive in the kitchen and make something with what you have. Look up a handful of ingredients in your fridge online and see what recipes come up. You’ll be amazed by what delicious creations you can make with only a few pantry staples.
I know a no-spend weekend is one of those things that’s easier said than done. Even if you can’t get through an entire weekend without spending a bit of money, incorporating some of these budget-friendly activities into your routine will certainly help you out. Good luck!
Organize Your Space
One way to spend your no-spend weekend is to dedicate it to organizing your space. If your apartment has gradually become more and more unorganized, take the weekend to spruce things up. Throw on a Marie Kondo show to get inspired, grab any empty containers you already have that you could use for organizing, and get to sorting!
This is a super rewarding way to get through a no-spend weekend, and I can guarantee you’ll feel super proud of yourself.
