Fun Stuff to Do that Doesn't Cost Any Money...
Millenium Park in Chicago
My wife and I went bowling a little while back for a friend’s birthday. Not being regular bowlers, I had forgotten how expensive bowling can be on a Saturday night. With shoe rental, a pitcher of low-grade barley water, and two hours on lane 37, we spent over $80. While spending this much on an evening out isn’t going to ruin our retirement savings plan, the fun we had bowling simply didn’t justify the expense. Unfortunately, this phenomenon is not unique to bowling. A night out at the movies can leave a family of four with similar change from a $100 bill. Taking in a hockey, football, or basketball game can easily cost twice as much for seats in the nose bleed section, and that’s before you buy a $10 beer.
Fun doesn’t need to cost money. Here are some great ways to have a good time, do some good in the world, and avoid depleting your 401K or RRSP:
o Go to the Park. Most Parks and Rec departments offer free events at parks around the country; from free community theater to concerts, art installations, rummage sales, community actions, and athletics. There’s something for everyone. Check your local listings.
o Photography. In the age of very inexpensive and decent-quality digital cameras, getting into photography has never been more affordable. Besides, most photographers will tell you that the most important equipment they use are their eyes.
o Walk your dog; 20% of US households have a dog. It could probably use a walk.
o Visit the Library. Thousands of books, and all of them free to borrow. If Levar Burton taught us anything, it's that if you take a look, it's in a book.
o Volunteer; if you like helping people, and value meaningful interaction more than photo opportunities, you might be surprised how much fun you can have volunteering. Organizations exist in almost every city in the US and Canada whose mission is to help people in need with food, shelter, guidance, mentorship, rehabilitation, spiritual guidance, education, and a multitude of other human kindnesses. You might be surprised how much fun you can have helping other people, and it usually won't cost you a cent. Here are some organizations that could use a person like you:
Fun doesn’t need to cost money. Here are some great ways to have a good time, do some good in the world, and avoid depleting your 401K or RRSP:
o Go to the Park. Most Parks and Rec departments offer free events at parks around the country; from free community theater to concerts, art installations, rummage sales, community actions, and athletics. There’s something for everyone. Check your local listings.
o Photography. In the age of very inexpensive and decent-quality digital cameras, getting into photography has never been more affordable. Besides, most photographers will tell you that the most important equipment they use are their eyes.
o Walk your dog; 20% of US households have a dog. It could probably use a walk.
o Visit the Library. Thousands of books, and all of them free to borrow. If Levar Burton taught us anything, it's that if you take a look, it's in a book.
o Volunteer; if you like helping people, and value meaningful interaction more than photo opportunities, you might be surprised how much fun you can have volunteering. Organizations exist in almost every city in the US and Canada whose mission is to help people in need with food, shelter, guidance, mentorship, rehabilitation, spiritual guidance, education, and a multitude of other human kindnesses. You might be surprised how much fun you can have helping other people, and it usually won't cost you a cent. Here are some organizations that could use a person like you:
- Habitat for Humanity (non-profit, non-governmental agency that builds houses for low-income families); www.habitat.org
- The United Way (non-profit, non-government agency that supports communities around North America by providing youth programs, access to health care, financial assistance, crisis management and other worthy causes) www.unitedway.ca
- Freedom is not Free (non-profit agency that helps combat veterans and their families); http://www.freedomisnotfree.com/
- Amnesty International (international organization promoting and protecting human rights); http://www.amnesty.org/
- Sistering (a women’s agency serving homeless, marginalized and low-income women in Toronto) http://www.sistering.org/
