How to Have Affordable Fun

How can you have fun when your money is worn thin? With this shift in the economy, it's been difficult to rearrange the concept of having fun for less. When I first went online searching for inexpensive alternatives to eating out, going to the movies, or shopping - my heart sank. I had no interest in cutting back expenses and cutting out my favorite nouveau sushi spot, Friday (pay day!) clothes shopping fixes, late nights with fun drinks or escaping reality in a dark movie theater. However what must be done, will be done- and coming to terms with alternatives, I have found that not only am I saving money, I'm finding more ways to have fun and get closer to my friends and family at the same time. By getting a little creative and finding some thrifty resources, I've saved a pretty penny and I'm still enjoying myself...just a little differently.

All of these ideas can be mixed and matched to suit your time restraints, your personal tastes, and of course your budget.

Something that millions of people do is eat out. Eat fast food, eat in chain restaurants, eat at diners or pubs or five star facilities. It's an amazing luxury we possess...but for many of us in this current economic stance, it's a little more out of reach, if not completely evicted from our budget. Not having the immaculate service, ambient lighting and the music to hum over you as you slice into a succulent, tender filet mignon is definitely worth at least a little tear in the eye (I know I cried a little) but there are some alternatives to at least satiate the food fix until going to that lavish eat spot is within grasp again.

Make eating out something you budget for. It can become a "special occasion" or simply reserved for special occasions, instead of frequented multiple times per month, week, day or hour...whatever your eating out/driving through meter is gauged at. Make eating out less of a priority, a little more non-essential...because let's face it, it's not. It is fun though, and we have to allow ourselves small, fun filled expenditures to avoid spending too much on larger things we definitely cannot afford.

Really can't afford to eat out? Eat in. Learning to prepare food might seem like a daunting, ignorable task - some might just want to suck it up and take the loss, others will want to fill the need to feed on divine pork tenderloin sooner rather than later. Well, break out your pots and pans and get ready, because cooking your own food...costs less.

The whole process of cooking and eating at home can be fun and rewarding. Make the meal with your spouse, your friends, or your family. Using what you have at home or items on sale at the grocery store, concoct a comfortable home cooked meal or a fabulous frugal dinner you will enjoy. Check the circulars to see what fish, meats or poultry will be on sale. Would you like some wine with that? Finding inexpensive and delicious wine for less than $10 a bottle is completely do-able. Look online for affordable wine reviews. Go into the wine shop and ask for wine that ready to be drank right now and within the confines of your budget. Grab what you need (and can of course afford) and bring it on home to begin the creation of a wonderful feast that can be shared with your loved ones. Of course, if you're dining solo that's perfect as well! Follow up your food (and sigh, yes - cleaning of aforementioned pots and pans) with more frugal festivities, such as a movie, board games, or making your own drinks!

Most people are aware of the fact that actually going to the movies and buying concession stand items at the theater nowadays is wallet murder. Every once in awhile it can be deemed a decent treat, in fact if you'd rather go to the movies than go out to eat - make movie going one of your "budgeted for" items. It is extremely expensive. Alternatives? Although you can't see what is in theaters instantly in most cases (unless you love a good indie film from IFC On Demand like I do) work with what you've got that costs significantly less, and still stimulates the movie fanatic's needs. Most popular and affordable resources for watching movies elsewhere are right at home, with movies On Demand with cable or satellite, whatever you have. Just be careful not to order movies in excess, because although your bag of popcorn and movie now costs you less than $7, if you repeat the experience too many times in one month, you won't be swallowing so easily when you slice open your bill. Now, if you don't have On Demand services, Netflix is an amazing movie resource that provides you with a monthly fee for renting one, two, or three dvd's at a time...exchange those dvd's for more as many times as you want, every month - and you incur no extra costs. You can keep the movies as long as you want, and you never pay late fees. Netflix is my favorite frugal movie-fix resource, hands down.

To go along with that flick you're watching, have some at home snacks on hand and of course a tasty homemade cocktail that won't cost you $15. Buying your popcorn, candy and chips costs - without argument, miles less than the concession stand treats. Learning to build your own cocktails might not prove to be as amazing as your favorite bartender whips it up downtown, but it is again fun and affordable. Some more home entertainment alternatives I will quickly mention are active board/box games like Pictionary, Twister, Cranium, Trivial Pursuit, whatever delights you - its a small investment and you can repeat the games for years to come.

Physical Fitness is Free. Getting active is something that does not have to cost money, and with all the pricey activities out of reach, it's an awesome alternative and wonderful lifestyle change. It doesn't have to be anything drastic. Sign up for cheap at a local gym or Y community health center. If you live in an apartment complex that has a health facility, chances are you actually already PAY for your membership and access to the gym in your monthly rent check - so hop on down to the fitness facilities and take a dip or hit the jogging belts. If going to the gym just isn't your style, hit up the local park with your kids, take a hike, go on a walk, run, roll or stroll. Go to the beach or lake and take a swim or catch some fish. If you're completely landlocked, go camping, do a BBQ cook-out with frisbee or volleyball at a park with pals or go bike riding. All these things are free or relatively inexpensive, and definitely easy to do.

Fun is in your neighborhood. A great resource for inexpensive events is delivered right to your doorstep or local gas station - the newspaper. Check it out for community activities such as upcoming fairs, farmers markets, festivals, and parades. These events can often host free music performances, fun and cheap eats (fried dough, please!) excellent and delicious local produce for less than the grocery store price tag, and much more. It doesn't hurt to just check it out.

Shopping is a huge vice for many people. In today's economy, it can cause major damage for a weak financial situation. Buying essential items for survival should take precedence over buying material items, but when it feels as though all of life's luxuries are being taken away and your world is caving in on you...what harm can buying a few pairs of earrings cause? Oh, and this bracelet, and these shoes, and this shirt...

Well, shoppers fear not. Take care of your needs first (eating, health, automobile, bills, etc) but allow yourself fun money if you can. Really tight budget, but love designer clothes? Time to learn how to shop during sales. Patience is key. Check websites of favorite retailers and go through their sale and closeout items. Find out when sales will be held. For amazing designer accessories try Avelle.com (aka BagBorrowOrSteal.com) for a yearly membership fee and then the cost of "borrowing" an item you can clutch some major designers like Gucci, Prada, Tom Ford, D&G, Chanel...you name it. Check out department stores like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Ross, EbLens, and Burlington Coat Factory. If you really need to skim back on costs, check out consignment and thrift shops - it takes a little hunting, but treasure can be found! This goes not only for clothing, but also home goods as well. Furniture, paintings, pantry items - one of my favorite places to hunt the sale items is at HomeGoods and Ocean State Job Lot. See if you have these awesome stores in your area! Looking for cool knick knacks, clothes, glassware, music? Check out flea markets for a vast array of wonderful items. The thrill of the hunt doesn't have amount to you spending every dollar you have.

These alternatives might not be what you're used to, but they can get the job done if you allow yourself to adjust to some lifestyle and financial changes. Finding ways to make yourself or your family happy doesn't have to cost you your entire paycheck - and it won't. Get creative with the resources you have available to you, and enjoy yourself with some frugal guidelines. It might seem strange cutting out so much of the old "fun", but soon enough at the end of the day, your heart will be happy...and so will your wallet.