Cheap and Healthy Things To Do

I love reading GetRichSlowly.org and a few other financial blogs. The other day, I read an article about inexpensive things to do for fun. Everyone has a different definition of fun, but if you are trying to save money and live frugally, sometimes the simplest things can provide that needed entertainment. There were a lot of good ideas listed here in this article, like going to the library, to a museum, a park, and playing board games with your family. I’ve decided to expand on the list and organize it a bit better.

My husband and I love spending time together at home, so finding fun, inexpensive things to do isn’t hard for us. I like categorizing things, and putting things in ordered groups. So, here is my list of activities we do at home for fun:

• Watching Netflix movies: This is inexpensive. For as low as $9.00 a month, you can download as many movies or televisions shows as you like.
• Cooking outside: One of our favorite weekend activities is grilling outside. We’re lucky to live in a temperate climate and can do this almost all year long. Hanging out in the back yard is relaxing and fun.
• Playing Board Games: Yahtzee is one of our favorite board games, all  you need is 5 dice. You can print out the score cards online to save money.
• Tackling a weekend project: This is can be as inexpensive or as expensive as we decide to budget, but sometimes organizing a closet can be fun and it accomplishes a task.

The rental house we currently live in is quite run down. We haven’t felt comfortable inviting many people over, which is another inexpensive activity we used to like to do. My husband, being a self-made chef, loves cooking dinner for others. Next year, when we are in our new house, we hope to go back to this routine, a fun way to entertain others.

Now, for some frugal outside activities:

• Hiking: I live in a valley, and there are many hiking trails within the surrounding mountains to choose from. My friend and I like hiking one particular loop hike in the shrubby hill side between my valley and her valley. The hike doesn’t take us more than 45 minutes, but it’s an easy hike that allows us to chit-chat and not run out of breathe. It’s fun to catch up and exercise at the same time.
• Biking: I can’t say enough  how much I love my bike. Over the past two years, I’ve probably put about 2,500 miles on it. My husband and I ride a newly paved bike path that runs along a bus way. It’s smooth and easy to ride, it’s a very enjoyable activity on a sunny weekend day.
• Camping: We tend to spend a little bit of money when we camp, mostly on the food, but most campers can rough it for very little cost. Since we have already  invested money in all of our camping gear, we are ready any weekend to a local camp ground. Camping is easy when you live only an hour from any beautiful, secluded camp site.

And, activities that are more educational or cultured:

• Museums: Some museums are free, like the Getty Museum. Others require a small donation or entrance fee. However, one day a year, usually in September, some museums are free on “Museum Day”. Here is the link for the Los Angeles area to see which museum’s offer this service.
• Theater or music festivals: Some parks host theater or music festivals in the summer or fall. Most of these are free or very inexpensive to attend. Here is a link for the Los Angeles area.
• Libraries: Some libraries host children’s story telling events through out the summer and even the school year. These activities are usually free to the public and a great way to introduce literature.

My lists of activities may be repetitive if compared to others, but I tried classifying them in an orderly fashion. Hopefully the links will give you more ideas and allow you to explore the frugal activities in your area.