75 Things To Do Instead Of Spend Money (2024)

Cheap Things To Do

Are you looking for fun frugal things to do? Below you will find a list of 75 things to do instead of spend money.

No Spend

No more wandering the mall, no more errand running. No more spending money.

Activities On A Budget

Whether you are strapped for cash, running a tight budget or simply saving money for something big you can still have an amazing time. Checkout these fun no spend weekend activities.

Fun Things To Do

What is your favorite thing to do when you have free time?Do you like to sit back and relax ? Or put your boots on and go for a hike. Or is a scavenger hunt and rock climb more your thing?

Bucket List Ideas

Our family free time bucket list would include reading, baking, walking the dog, picnics in the park, boating, fishing or hitting the local trail.

No Spend Weekend

You can have an amazing day, weekend or afternoon on the cheap.A no spend weekend or no spend day is exactly that, a day of not spending any money. You use what you have, plan your day around what you need and save money. No spend girls weekend ideas.

No Spend Day Activities

A great example of a no spend day might be breakfast on the patio with your family. Taking the dog for a walk, baking fresh bread, having a picnic in the park followed by a game of Frisbee.

Cheap Activity Ideas

Or your no spend day could include gardening and getting things done around the house and having a family BBQ for dinner.

How A No Spend Challenge Works

No spend days, weekends or months are great ways to save money. Essential because you aren’t spending. Yes, you may pay bills or go the grocery store to feed your family. But you aren’t going for dinner or spending crazy amounts of money on entertainment or going shopping for things.

Saving Money

You are taking care of your needs and saving money on your wants. No matter the time period of your no spend challenge you are guaranteed to save money.

Cheap Family Activities

Whether you are planning a frugal weekend or keeping things on the cheap with a tight budget you can still have a great time with the family.

Examples Of Cheap Family Activities

Some great examples of cheap family activities are a picnic in the park, a family bike ride, swimming at the lake, game night, star gazing, going for a walk or having a family BBQ. Below you will find a great list of cheap things to do.

Cheap Activities For Kids

Entertaining kids on a budget is real easy to do. Take them to the park, get the baking supplies out or a jigsaw puzzle. Bubbles or water balloons are always a hit. Sidewalk chalk and art supplies are great ways to get the creativity flowing.

75 Things To Do Instead Of Spend Money:

  1. Have a scavenger hunt
  2. Plant flowers
  3. Have a picnic in the park
  4. Go for a hike
  5. Read a book
  6. Play a board game
  7. Go for a hike
  8. Take a bike ride
  9. Play hopscotch
  10. Blow bubbles
  11. Visit the beach and build a sand castle
  12. Go swimming
  13. Take in a free community show
  14. Volunteer
  15. Visit your local museum
  16. Cup and conversation
  17. Play ground play time
  18. Camp out in the back yard
  19. Movie night
  20. Cook a themed dinner
  21. Campfire and marshmallow roast
  22. Go bird watching
  23. Scrapbooking
  24. Play video games
  25. Play basketball
  26. Bake cookies
  27. Have a dance party
  28. Tackle the to do list
  29. Build a fort and hang out
  30. DIY pedicure and manicure
  31. Have a BBQ and family get together
  32. Paint night
  33. Art in the park
  34. Visit the library
  35. Learn a new skill online
  36. Visit family and friends
  37. Tour your local farms
  38. Go rock climbing
  39. Listen to the radio and relax
  40. Take a nap
  41. Go snow shoeing
  42. Bake muffins
  43. Meal plan your week – include the family
  44. Organize the cupboards
  45. Go skiing or sledding
  46. Collect things to sell
  47. Play with toys
  48. Build a lego city
  49. Go star gazing
  50. Old school picnic games – 3 legged race, egg in a spoon
  51. Craft night
  52. Exercise
  53. Nerf war
  54. Take photos
  55. Sew, knit or crochet
  56. Build something
  57. DIY Home Decor
  58. Go fly a kite
  59. Go fishing
  60. Play a musical instrument
  61. Have a fondue party or appetizer party
  62. Plan your next vacation
  63. Pick fruit or vegetables at a local farm
  64. Explore a new park or new area of your town
  65. Catch up on all your television shows
  66. Host a neighborhood potluck
  67. Learn a new language
  68. Get all dressed up and have a nice dinner in
  69. Cuddle on the couch and watch movies
  70. Yoga in the park
  71. Go on a free wine tour
  72. Enjoy a community gathering
  73. Watch a local college or high school sports game
  74. Game day dinner and appys at home with friends
  75. Relax and enjoy a few stress free moments

Free Time

No matter what you do on a no spend day, week, month or in any amount of time. Do something you like doing. Do something your family enjoys doing.

Cheaper Ideas

If you usually go out for breakfast on a Saturday morning and hit the farmer’s market for a walk through. Swap it up with a homemade breakfast on the patio. Cup and conversation followed by a backyard game of lawn bowling or a visit to the park.

Cheap Date Ideas

If your usual Friday night is dinner, drinks and a movie at the theatre. You could save all that money by having dinner and drinks at home, cuddling on the couch, enjoying homemade desserts or popcorn and a movie. Checkout these other cheap date ideas.

Family Fun Day

A great example of family fun day would be a picnic in the park, some playtime or a game of basketball, followed by maybe a walk around and a potluck dinner with friends.

Your options are limitless. You could start the day off with cup and conversation, strawberries and granola or eggs benedict on the patio and end with star-gazing and camping in the backyard.

Related Money Saving Posts:

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  • Thrifty Guide: 50 Frugal Money Saving Tips

Updated May 18, 2021

75 Things To Do Instead Of Spend Money (3)

75 Things To Do Instead Of Spend Money

75 Things To Do Instead Of Spend Money (2024)

FAQs

What are things to do without spending money? ›

  • Take a historical city tour. Although it's possible to travel on a budget and visit free or low-cost historical sites around the country, you probably have some closer to home as well. ...
  • Visit a farmers market. ...
  • Go camping. ...
  • Do a photography challenge. ...
  • Check out books from the library.
Feb 14, 2024

How to spend less money? ›

How to spend less money
  1. Avoid eating out. Eating in can be a great way to save money every month. ...
  2. Buy generic and used. ...
  3. Use public transportation. ...
  4. Check your insurance rates. ...
  5. Ask for discounts. ...
  6. Unsubscribe from marketing emails. ...
  7. Save your tax refunds.
Apr 10, 2024

What should we do for fun? ›

  • Have an at-home spa day. ...
  • Host a closet cleaning party. ...
  • Play some board games. ...
  • Go on a biking adventure. ...
  • Plan a scavenger hunt. ...
  • Check out an open mic night. ...
  • Host a potluck dinner. ...
  • Plan a retro movie marathon.
Jan 10, 2022

How can I spend time together without spending money? ›

There's something for everyone, whether you're angling for an exciting night out or a cozy night in.
  1. Play strip Cards Against Humanity. ...
  2. Have an at-home movie theater night. ...
  3. Make a relationship time capsule. ...
  4. Have a sand castle-building contest. ...
  5. Binge-watch a series you've had on your list or rewatch on you love.
Feb 15, 2024

What to do on boring days? ›

50 things to do when you're bored
  • Play chess. ...
  • Clean out your closets. ...
  • Find your new favorite podcast. ...
  • Start “my list” on a streaming service. ...
  • Go for a walk. ...
  • Take a bath. ...
  • Phone a friend. ...
  • Do a yoga video.
Dec 22, 2023

How to spend a weekend? ›

Why it's important for business people to recharge on weekends, and how balancing work and family can help both.
  1. Spend time with family. This is a no-brainer. ...
  2. Schedule your downtime. ...
  3. But...be flexible. ...
  4. Get some exercise. ...
  5. Unplug from work. ...
  6. Find your passion. ...
  7. Take care of your body​ ...
  8. See your friends.
Jul 15, 2022

How to live off $600 a month? ›

Browse by Meal:
  1. Use coupons.
  2. Obsessively shop sales.
  3. Eat lots of processed foods, OR…
  4. Cook 100% of our meals from scratch.
  5. Skip out on fresh veggies.
  6. Eat lots of pasta, rice and beans because it's cheap (we eat all of these things- just not all the time)

What is the 50 30 20 rule? ›

The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings.

How to live on $1000 a month after bills? ›

How To Live on $1,000 Per Month
  1. Review Your Current Spending. ...
  2. Minimize Housing Costs. ...
  3. Don't Drive a Car. ...
  4. Meal Plan on the Cheap. ...
  5. Avoid Subscriptions at All Costs. ...
  6. Negotiate Your Bills. ...
  7. Take Advantage of Government Programs. ...
  8. Side Hustle for More Income.
Oct 17, 2023

How can I have fun in 5 minutes? ›

The Best 5 Min Ice Breakers Games: The Complete List
  1. Would You Rather Be Questions.
  2. Two Truths and a Lie.
  3. Commonalities and Differences.
  4. My Name and A Thing.
  5. Paper Tower Building.
  6. The Great Debate/ Soup, Salad or Sandwich.
  7. Random Questions/ Quiz.
  8. Never Have I Ever.

What do girls like to do for fun? ›

Girls Night Out Ideas
  • Karaoke. This is another fun girls night idea that can be adapted for a night in or night out. ...
  • Tour a Museum at Night. ...
  • Laugh Out Loud at a Comedy Show. ...
  • See a Show. ...
  • Visit a Psychic. ...
  • Take Your Girls Out to the Ballgame. ...
  • Dance the Night Away. ...
  • Get a Workout at a Trampoline Park.
Feb 12, 2024

What to do in free time at home? ›

Unleash your creative side with some of the items from this list.
  1. Go on a photo walk. ...
  2. Try out a new recipe. ...
  3. Discover your artistic side. ...
  4. Make a productivity playlist. ...
  5. Do a DIY project. ...
  6. Redecorate your room or your workspace. ...
  7. Make a physical photo album of your favorite memories.
Sep 6, 2021

How to be romantic when poor? ›

10 Unique Ways to Show Love Without Spending Money
  1. Make a photo book or collage. ...
  2. Or go digital, and edit a video. ...
  3. Send them on a scavenger hunt. ...
  4. Curate a personal playlist for them. ...
  5. Stay in for a cozy movie night. ...
  6. Offer up a service or favor (and actually follow through). ...
  7. Take them on a romantic hike.
Jul 12, 2023

How do I train myself to spend less money? ›

Here are some ideas to help you stop spending money and build healthier financial habits:
  1. Create a Budget. ...
  2. Visualize What You're Saving For.
  3. Always Shop with a List. ...
  4. Nix the Brand Names. ...
  5. Master Meal Prep.
  6. Consider Cash for In-store Shopping. ...
  7. Remove Temptation.
  8. Hit “Pause"
Jan 19, 2023

What is the 30 day rule? ›

The premise of the 30-day savings rule is straightforward: When faced with the temptation of an impulse purchase, wait 30 days before committing to the buy. During this time, take the opportunity to evaluate the necessity and impact of the purchase on your overall financial goals.

How to save $10,000 in a year? ›

6 steps to save $10,000 in a year
  1. Evaluate income and expenses. To make room for saving, you'll need a meticulous budget that outlines all your sources of income and all your expenditures. ...
  2. Make an actionable savings plan. ...
  3. Cut unnecessary expenses. ...
  4. Increase your income. ...
  5. Avoid new debt. ...
  6. Invest wisely.
Apr 2, 2024

How to save 20K in a year? ›

7 Fastest Ways To Save $20K, According to Experts
  1. Start With Your Goal. Jay Zigmont, Ph. ...
  2. Create a Budget and See What You Can Save. ...
  3. Open a Savings Account and Set Up Automatic Contributions. ...
  4. Find Ways To Cut Back. ...
  5. Sell Your Unwanted Stuff. ...
  6. Evaluate Your Insurance. ...
  7. Generate Additional Income.
Apr 4, 2024

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