Things To Do for Free on the Weekend (Or anytime)

[catherine]

Well, I'm into my spending freeze.. although I did breach it slightly. My brother is in a VA hospital rehab facility and he needed his birth certificate so I offered to drive it to him, in order to visit as well. So, I did spend gas and toll money. Then, because my daughter lives only a half hour away, I met her for a cup of coffee. In my flusher days, I would have treated her to Sunday brunch. As it was, in Brooklyn, two coffees and two pieces of cake were $15.00. I chalked it up to my food budget. I'll scrimp on that because rare time with my daughter is priceless.

I did take the frugal route in and out of NYC--I took the Verrazano to Brooklyn (you pay the toll on the return), but I took the Holland Tunnel back (you pay on the incoming side)--so I saved the $15 bridge toll!

So, trying to see how I can spend nothing on weekends for the future, I found this great article in Simple Dollar on 100 things to do during a money-free weekend. Hard to say "I'm bored and I wish I had money to spend" after getting these ideas!

http://www.thesimpledollar.com/100-things-to-do-during-a-money-free-weekend/

[Jilly]

Wow. This list has held up so well over the last six years. I guess good ideas are almost always good ideas. I plan to revisit some of the suggestions. The only exceptions I found are:

18 I think most people use their phones. I do not have that kind of phone, is it the same process of using a digital camera?

22 It is difficult to find a free zoo or museum. Until a few years ago, the zoo here was one of the last free zoos in the country. Their economics changed that, but it is interesting that now the exhibits are less attractive and viewer-friendly, but the gift shop is amazing.

89 The games are not available via the links, although I tracked them down and now require registrations and downloads and who know what else. My guess is that some of the other links may no longer work, as well. Some things do change. They would have been nice to sample, but I really like word, spelling, typing and bubble games anyway.

[Gardenarian]

This is a great list Catherine - thanks!

[razz]

I would add:
- birdwatching,
- plan a garden for a space around your home,
- discuss a menu for a week/month that the family would like with items in the pantry and try it

[nswef]

Catherine, How nice to visit two family members in one shot, the smart toll escape that paid for coffee with your daughter and doing a good deed to boot! Tme well spent. Congratulations.

[leslieann]

I love this list! Thank you, Catherine.

[Jilly]

Razz, I now live in a rental and I plan fantasy gardens all around the building. It will never happen outside the small space the landlord has given me, but a girl can dream.