gmastasquirrel
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03:55:50 pm on August 13, 2008 | # |
The following is a guest post from KPS, staff writer for ScrewGradSchool.com.Economy worries are grinding out the fun in life these days. And in an effort to reduce fuel and general consumption, more and more Americans are spending time at home. While there’s no arguing against the environmental and economic gains that a little frugality can make, no one wants to count the hours by the TV Guide. Here’s some ideas for keeping yourself active, entertained, AND frugal through this economy.
1) Get out and R-U-N. Cardiovascular exercise is consistently linked with lower cholesterol, improved heart function, and a sunnier disposition. Running is also a great way to burn calories, enjoy the sun, and get to know the area around your house. Take the dog with you too. You’d be amazed how many people you can meet on dog walks.2) Bring out your inner Chef. Nothing saves more dollars than home cooking. Learn to make your own tasty treats the old fashioned way…from scratch. Invite family and friends to participate. Ever wonder what coriander goes well with? Want to make some dip for the football game on Sunday? Break out the utensils and get to work!
3) Start a Website. Domain names are still going for around $8, if you’re fortunate enough to find something you like, have a go at it. There’s a plethora of web applications that make site management a cinch. Get your ideas up and out there. Everybody’s doing it anyway.
4) Board Games. If you’ve got ‘em (and you know you do), break those old board games out and get the competitive juices flowing. Call your friend, who works in real estate, and tell him you’ll destroy him in a game of Monopoly. Study the dictionary and memorize all the 2-3 letter words to outsmart your Sister in a game of Scrabble. Board games are terribly fun and get everyone talking and involved in the conversation.
5) Get to Knitting. If you think the economy is tough now, wait until the heating bills start rolling in. You can get yourself a jump start on the cold by knitting like fiend on the weekends. Start out with ugly scarfs and work your way to flashy cardigans. Soon, you’ll be to toast of the town…inside and out.
6) Play that instrument. Somewhere in your house is an unused instrument. Whether a clarinet, a flutophone, or an old guitar, that instrument is begging to be played. Give it a whirl. There’s dozens of sites online that can teach you to become a closet rockstar. Go and find that instrument and unleash your inner musician.
7) Volunteer. Working for free won’t put you in the driver’s seat, but it will make you feel better about how you spend your life. Offer to walk dogs at the local SPCA. Tutor kids at your neighborhood school. Provide reception assistance at the local non-profit. You’ll work hard, but you’ll feel great. One note though, make sure that volunteers aren’t the mainstay of the organization’s workforce. If they are, the organization is not employing sufficient personnel (and could be padding management’s pockets instead)
Go out on a date. If you’re already with someone, go out with them as if you just met (and were actually trying to impress one another). Have wine and cheese in the park. Go for a bike ride. Take a lesson in Tango. Do the things that daters do, and get to know the next layer of someone you’re in to.9) Read, read, read. Libraries are vastly underrated. You can get books, audio books, and DVDs…all for FREE!!! Honestly, there’s not much reason to buy books, considering the sizable caches of materials at the local library. Borrowing is free, but the knowledge can benefit you for a lifetime.
10) Go in to work. Not that I recommend it. But if you want to occupy time, and you want to make more money. Get another job. Tack on another couple thousand dollars to your take home pay. Just make sure you map out some clear financial goals for yourself. 16 hours of work is a quick way to burn yourself out. But it can be beneficial…with the right planning.
And that’s the list, folks! Start Living!
Anita 2:29 am on August 14, 2008 | #
People-watching (or what I call “people-appreciating”) is another fun activity that doesn’t cost anything but is very relaxing.
I like your list, well done!
xx
Anita
Solomon@ThingsI\'mGratefulFor 12:44 pm on August 15, 2008 | #
I like gardening when I have some free time, or going out with my camera to take some photographs.
Karen, author of "My Funny Dad, Harry" 3:49 pm on August 17, 2008 | #
That’s a good list. I’d like to add playing tennis and walking at a park (preferably with someone though). Also, you can always play with your pet!
pligg.com 6:13 am on August 31, 2008 | #
10 Simple Frugal Ways to Enjoy a Weekend…
Economy worries are grinding out the fun in life these days. And in an effort to reduce fuel and general consumption, more and more Americans are spending time at home. Here are some ideas for keeping yourself active, entertained, and frugal through th…
Dekut.com 6:14 am on August 31, 2008 | #
10 Simple Frugal Ways to Enjoy a Weekend…
Economy worries are grinding out the fun in life these days. And in an effort to reduce fuel and general consumption, more and more Americans are spending time at home. Here are some ideas for keeping yourself active, entertained, and frugal through th…
Anonymous 6:22 am on August 31, 2008 | #
10 Simple Frugal Ways to Enjoy a Weekend…
Economy worries are grinding out the fun in life these days. And in an effort to reduce fuel and general consumption, more and more Americans are spending time at home. Here are some ideas for keeping yourself active, entertained, and frugal through th…
PlugIM.com 6:41 am on August 31, 2008 | #
10 Simple Frugal Ways to Enjoy a Weekend…
Economy worries are grinding out the fun in life these days. And in an effort to reduce fuel and general consumption, more and more Americans are spending time at home. Here are some ideas for keeping yourself active, entertained, and frugal through th…
www.blipoo.com 6:46 am on August 31, 2008 | #
10 Simple Frugal Ways to Enjoy a Weekend…
Economy worries are grinding out the fun in life these days. And in an effort to reduce fuel and general consumption, more and more Americans are spending time at home. Here are some ideas for keeping yourself active, entertained, and frugal through th…
wagg.it 6:56 am on August 31, 2008 | #
10 Simple Frugal Ways to Enjoy a Weekend…
Economy worries are grinding out the fun in life these days. And in an effort to reduce fuel and general consumption, more and more Americans are spending time at home. Here are some ideas for keeping yourself active, entertained, and frugal through th…
PostOnFire.com 7:00 am on August 31, 2008 | #
10 Simple Frugal Ways to Enjoy a Weekend…
Economy worries are grinding out the fun in life these days. And in an effort to reduce fuel and general consumption, more and more Americans are spending time at home. Here are some ideas for keeping yourself active, entertained, and frugal through th…
wetogether.info 7:23 am on August 31, 2008 | #
10 Simple Frugal Ways to Enjoy a Weekend…
Economy worries are grinding out the fun in life these days. And in an effort to reduce fuel and general consumption, more and more Americans are spending time at home. Here are some ideas for keeping yourself active, entertained, and frugal through th…
lower my bills 10:23 pm on September 19, 2008 | #
Check out the smaller museums in your area…you might find something cool. And most of them are free. For example, up in Oklahoma City, we found a gem of a military museum with old tanks, aircraft, and even a substantial collection from the U.S. Army unit that captured Hitler in WWII.
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