Easy ways to cut down costs on Leisure and Entertainment

We all deserve to enjoy ourselves and being on a tight budget does not mean that we have to miss out on leisure and entertainment opportunities.  Being frugal does not mean the end of your social life as there are plenty of ways that you can reduce costs.

1. Hold dinner parties.  This is how Mr S and I mostly saw friends, especially during the winter.  Often we would make food that we would have been eating any way, but just presented it nicely, decorated the table nicely, and made it seem special.  Our friends were glad that they did not have to fork out for restaurants to meet, and would often invite us to their meal,  The person invited would provide the alcohol or drinks.
2. Hold a pot luck.  When I invite a group of women friends round for lunch we all bring a dish each.  People pick sweet or savoury and so we know we will not just be eating puddings.  This is a great way to try new dishes and exchange recipes.  I have tried ingredients that I would not have thought about buying and they have now become staple, eg barley instead of rice.
3. Research places for offers and discounts before you visit.  We recently visited a zoo as a family and got a large discount as we all had ‘Blue Light’ cards.  Places are often cheaper if you book on line in advance as well.
4. Look for free events in your area.  We have a pub locally that are having a bonfire and fire works and it is free if you are buying a drink.  We will buy cordial which costs very little.  Councils often run many free events in their area and information on these can often be found on their website.
5. Look for venues that are free such as some museums, art galleries, open farm days, library events,.
6. Use warm spaces.  In our area in the UK warm spaces are provided free due to the very expensive cost of heating in this country,  The aim is that people have places to go to be comfortable and keep warm with no cost.  A lot of these also offer free drinks, including some cafes.  I am going to arrange to meet with friends there this year.  These places also often have magazines to read, as does the library, and some even have computers to use for free.
7. Spend time out in nature.  This is our most used pass time.  We do lots of walking and some times take a picnic, or for a special treat will buy a drink in a local cafe.  The beach, woods, the moors, a walk by a canal or river are all places that we gravitate to.
8. Invite friends around to share a skill.  One time I did mosaic making in my back garden with a few friends.  Another friend showed us how to flower arrange at her house.  Knitting sessions, craft sessions, book clubs etc are all ways that can bring people together so that they are not spending time alone.
9. Invite friends round for nibbles, drinks and to watch a film or sport.  This is cheaper than going to the cinema and would be appreciated by someone who does not have a streaming service.
10. Go on a bike ride with someone and get a fitness session at the same time as socialising.
11. Have a games night.  I am not technically minded at all but enjoyed playing a skiing game with a bunch of friends at some one’s house.  We were all over 60 and nearly wet ourselves laughing.  We became so competitive and took it too seriously, despite rarely getting to the next level,
12. Have a scavenger hunt and write a list of things to find on a walk or in your garden.  The first one to get them all gets a prize.  This is great for keeping children occupied.
13. Go fruit picking or foraging together.
14. Attend free festivals.  We have things like the Festival of Light locally and some villages hold there own festivals, often with free live music.
15. Learn a new craft.  I am doing one using things that I already have in the home.  I was going to give some blouses to the charity shop but I am going to make a patchwork cushion instead to help me learn how to sew.  I also fancy learning embroidery.
16. Watch YouTubes on places that you have always wanted to visit.  Maybe it will spark a plan of how to get there one day.
17. Join a local group.  We have free writing groups, knit and natter groups, young mother’s groups locally, for example.  These are all free or for a minimal cost.

These are all cheap ways of entertaining ourselves, however, being frugal does not mean that you can not spend money on something that you really want to do, or enjoy.  Being frugal is about saving money in some areas of your life that are not as important, so that there is money to spend on areas that are important to you. I spend little or nothing on hair cuts and make up, but often have breaks away.  I know frugal people who have saved up to have an extravagant holiday in India.  That is what they have chosen to do with their money, but they have often done without things in other areas of their lives.

Life is for living and enjoying and so my message is, as the weather closes in for winter over here in the UK, don’t sit at home being cold and miserable and feeling isolated.  Reach out to other people in a similar situation, or take advantage of what is free in your area.  There is so much you can still do to enjoy yourself, even if money is tight.  How do you entertain yourselves and maintain a social life on a small budget?