How to Spend the Unexpected Vacation

Imagine you find yourself with an unexpected month away from work. Since there's little income being generated for the time being, it can be a challenge to find ways to fill the time. There are, however, several options available to those who find themselves with a little extra time on their hands.

The hobby you'd forgotten about is still there, just waiting for you to come back around and spend some time. It might be the needlepoint project you started six months ago or a scrapbooking project you started six years ago. Schedule some time to spend completing these projects. You get the satisfaction of finishing the work and you might remember the reasons you began them in the first place.

Three years ago, I began developing a database for my 100,000-plus collection of baseball cards. Then life happened. Situations changed and I didn't have the spare time to devote to the project. After finishing my time with one employer, I had a month before beginning my new position. I scheduled time each week to work on the baseball card database.

Volunteering can be a great use of your free time. There are a number of organizations - many likely in your own town - that are constantly seeking volunteer help. Find something that interests you or something you have a special talent for. If you're a strong reader, consider visiting a retirement home and spending time reading to the elderly. Staying with the reading, maybe you've considered working as a tutor helping adults - or children - learn to read.

Staying in touch can be a tough thing to do but now you have the chance to get caught up with other people's lives. Grab the address book or your long-lost e-mail list and get busy. Spend a little time each day writing - or typing - short notes to the people you meant to stay in touch with.

Be creative and plan a mini-vacation or event for the family. You've got the time but likely not the money to take a full-blown vacation? Try putting your mind to work thinking of inexpensive ways to entertain not just you but the family as well. A favorite activity of our family is to plan scavenger hunts that take us all over town. The game centers on our young children. My wife and I provide written clues to specific destinations in town and, with the help of a digital camera, a day full of memories can be had for pennies.

These are just a few ideas for spending the unexpected free time. The possibilities are endless but you might even rekindle an old passion.