When the financial news is scarier than the late-night horror movie, how do you reel in expenses, pay off bills, and still have some fun? Here are some ideas you may not have thought of.
Using the Library to Save Money
Borrow Materials:
Sure you can use the library to check out books, but that's just the beginning. Many libraries allow you to check out music, computer software, books on tape, children's toys and even artwork for your walls. Instructional and entertainment videos may be rented for as little as $1.00 in some libraries. Some also give away magazines and sell donated books at very low prices.
Sign up for Programs:
Many libraries offer free children's story times, show free movies for adults and children, and host a variety of interesting speakers and informational programs. Some also offer free classes.
You already pay tax dollars to support your local library. Why not get your money's worth? Have a library day once a week and the whole family will be entertained without spending a fortune.
Low-cost Ideas for Fun Indoors
Host a family game night instead of a night out on the town: Make popcorn and hot cocoa and enjoy that old-fashioned pastime of playing board games or charades. The cost is negligible and you may actually find yourself having meaningful interactions with your children if they're not glued to a computer or TV screen. While you're emphasizing old-fashioned fun, check out Sarah Ban Breathnach's Mrs. Sharp's Traditions (Scribner, 2001), which explains how Victorian mothers kept their children occupied with no help from television. Try some of the craft, activity and recipe ideas.
Start an imagination box, with crayons and markers, tubes of glitter and glue, old buttons, milk cartons, and other household castoffs. Get everyone involved in making something from the materials and vote on the best one.
Low-cost Fun Outdoors
Head to your backyard, and play some games you haven't tried. Badminton, croquet, and outdoor projects like building a snow fort provided hours of entertainment for families in the pre-electronic era. Why not rediscover them?
Pack up your nature guides and head to a forest preserve for a day of hiking. At most you’ll pay a small admission or parking fee.
Try your local park district for a wealth of fun and entertainment ideas. Swing sets and slides are free, and you’ll enjoy the setting. While you’re there, see what programs your park district offers. Many of them offer classes and fun events for all ages at relatively low costs.
Gardening to Save Money and Have Fun
Get the whole family involved and you'll get exercise, fresh air, and a garden you can all be proud of. Save money on garden plants and supplies. Instead of growing only annuals from seed, find out how easy, and how much fun, it is to grow perennials including house plants from seed. For instructions, see the author's article Growing Plants from Seed. Repurpose empty frozen dinner trays as seed-starting containers, and use plastic labels cut from margarine container lids to save even more. Transplant baby plants into plastic cups you buy in bulk or recycle disposable bathroom cups.
Tough times have their siver lining. By being forced to use your imagination and create your own entertainment, you may find that your family is closer, happier, and more resourceful than they were when you could afford to go out every night.
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