Enjoy on a Budget: 16 Fun Things That Won’t Break the Bank
Who here is on a budget? I know I am. Part of the most challenging part of living life on a budget is finding worthwhile, affordable ways to experience new things. Sticking to a budget doesn’t prevent you from spending money on activities; it just limits how much you spend on those activities. Luckily for us, many popular places offer discounted days or free admission dates to maximize reach. Among those budget-friendly activities, we’ve boiled down our favorites.
1. Parks
The world is home to numerous parks showing off delicate natural beauty. In the US, even National Parks that require admission fees offer six free admission days throughout the calendar year. January 15, April 20, June 19, August 4, September 28, and November 11 give free park access. Roam the wilderness, tune into nature, and discover new parts of the world you never knew existed.
2. Hiking
While exploring National Parks, take a trek up a hill or mountain. Hiking is a strenuous, relaxing activity with tremendous rewards. Though the stroll up the terrain may cause pain or test your humanity, the views from atop a peak make up for the sweat and tears. The most gorgeous hike I ever took found me at the top of Mount Lemmon in Arizona, overlooking miles of cacti and rolling desert plains. I sat up there for hours, meditating and looking back on memories and life choices. For many people, hiking is a spiritual endeavor, costing a few dollars.
3. Swimming
Who doesn’t love a jump in a cool pool on a hot summer day? Or a plunge into a public watering hole on a warm day. Several pools charge small amounts for swimming or let people swim at no cost. Many National Parks include access to swimming holes with their admission fees. Other popular swimming locations include hot springs, waterfalls, and lakes.
4. Free Museum Day
Like National Parks, museums provide guests with a few days a year when they needn’t worry about paying to access art. International Museum Day lands on May 18. St. Petersburg, Florida, hosts a free museum day on September 23. New York City opens doors to locals for free every Friday between 4 and 8 p.m. Those are just a few times that you can visit museums free of charge.
5. Movies
Movie theaters continue operating discounted Tuesday snacks and tickets. The movie theater I go to (Regal) charges $5 for tickets on Tuesdays with an additional 50% off snacks and drinks. Other instances find theaters showing old movies at $1 or rereleasing classics at a cheap fare. Grab a bucket of popcorn and catch up on the latest Oscar contenders.
6. Stargazing
A few years ago, my buddy Nick and I decided to venture out to Area 51 to scope out the premises. We stopped at a gift shop, purchasing a few snacks and souvenirs to prove our presence in the famous “alien” hotspot. Following our market run, we drove a few miles into the area and down a side street. Nothing aside from this gift shop and stretches of low-cut hay permeates the premises of Area 51.
At least the side we traveled to. We parked the car, grabbed our snacks, and peered into the distance, looking for any sign of life, human or extra-terrestrial. Although our wishes to spot an alien faded soon after arrival, we noticed how bright the stars in the sky shone over the empty fields. Area 51 may not yield proof of alien life, but the area near the Nevada Air Force Base delivers with stargazing.
7. Biking
Sixteen years ago, my mom and I watched Mamma Mia in theaters. I liked the musical numbers and witnessing such production on the big screen, though my mom underwent an almost spiritual experience. When we arrived home, she hopped on the computer to schedule our Mamma Mia adventure. The destination? Alaska. We embarked on wild escapades like spotting moose in the mountains and watching brown bear catch their dinner. Yet a favorable time occurred along a 22-mile bike ride. We rented the bikes for a fair price and pedaled Tony Knowles Coastal Trail in Anchorage. Blessed with the scenery, we reveled in the encapsulating greenery, homing in on the plentiful wildlife spread throughout the coastal trail. Plus, we only spent around $20 to rent the bikes.
8. Bird Watching
Costa Rica spurred my interest in bird watching. Before traveling to the Central American destination, I paid little attention to winged creatures gracing our skies. I blame the constant sight of hummingbirds and quetzals prevalent in Costa Rica for my piqued interest in birds. Birdwatching costs as much as you want it to. Invest in binoculars and head out to a forest or field for up-close glimpses. Toned-back experiences include sitting near a bird bath or a grouping of trees and lots of patience.
9. People Watching
People-watching is a free, accessible activity available worldwide. Creatives enjoy people-watching in public transit places, crafting stories about individuals from their experiences. Analytical thinkers people watch and track data based on how many people wear green or who carry an instrument on their back. Endless options surface with this hobby.
10. Camping
Everyone should attempt to camp at least once in their lives. Camping requires a specific mindset that leans into wilderness life and cares little about glamorous lifestyle qualities (unless we include glamping). Pitching a tent and living a few days in the wilderness teaches a person a lot about themselves and humanity.
11. Sunbathing
I do not sunbathe enough as a person who lives a few miles from the beach. On the other hand, my dad lathers himself in oil and bakes on the beach for hours each weekend. I find that most people who live on or near the beach avoid the beach. I’m not sure why, but sunlight sustains healthy mental states and increases Vitamin D production, all for the low cost of zero dollars a month.
12. Visit Libraries
Libraries yield boundless information and art displays for the public’s admiration. Shelves gather on top of each other, holding sacred scripts, bestselling novels, research-backed journals, mounds of movies, hoards of music, newspapers, and other media. Famous libraries such as The British Library circulate artwork throughout the halls, adding a bonus draw to non-readers.
13. Self-Guided Walking Tour
All it takes for a successful self-guided walking tour is an idea of landmarks you want to visit. Here’s a scenario. The main attraction in St. Petersburg, Florida, is the pier, which permits visitors to walk on a multi-million dollar bridge over Tampa Bay featuring the finest restaurants and watersports hotspots in the city. A haunted bathroom lingers around the pier’s premises, next to a line of museums and boutique shops. Say I wanted to explore the pier area on foot. I’d start out at the pier, walk around the haunted bathroom, maybe pop in a few stores, and see where else the interest led.
14. Music Performance
Music heals the soul. In larger cities, musicians gather on the streets, showing off their musical prowess to the public for pennies or a pittance. Musicians utilize buckets as makeshift drums or craft their own instruments from miscellaneous materials, upping their innovative side and tips. Performers take to bigger stages once recognition boosts alongside demand. Street performers may move from a subway station to a small park, charging a nominal fee for an intimate night of live music.
15. Street Markets
In my mind, London, England, hosts the best markets in the world, with Peru as a close runner-up. Markets exert less pressure on shoppers to make immediate purchases than small businesses. Markets encourage exploration, given the setting sells a variety of goods. The enjoyment of a market depends on interest, not spending.
16. Geocaching
Geocaching encourages individuals to step outside with the promise of finding a reward. Geocachers hide objects worldwide and log their GPS coordinates online for others to find. The take on hide-and-seek and scavenger hunts motivates players to engage with the outdoors through the World Wide Web.
15 Aldi Deals To Buy That Will Save You Money
Undoubtedly, grocery shopping has become more stressful in the last couple of years. From 2022 to 2023, overall food prices rose five percent, in addition to the 11.4% rise in food-at-home prices in 2022. While frugal people try to save money in every aspect of their spending, getting the most for your money when shopping for food and other grocery staples can be challenging from a frugal perspective.
15 Aldi Deals To Buy That Will Save You Money
17 Everyday Habits We Do That Are a Huge Waste Of Money
A question that many people ask themselves each day is, “How can I save money?” Luckily, we’ll reveal many of the most common ways people throw away money daily. The best part? You can turn these spending habits into money-saving techniques. Let’s save some extra cash!
17 Everyday Habits We Do That Are a Huge Waste Of Money
Saving Money At the Library: 10 Things You Can Get For Free Besides Books
You might think libraries are just about books, but they’re so much more. From free internet access to workshops, movie nights, and even baking tools, you’ll be amazed at the goodies waiting for you.
Saving Money At the Library: 10 Things You Can Get For Free Besides Books
