The Struggling Student Rants—10 Ways to Entertain Yourself for Free!

The Struggling Student Rants—10 Ways to Entertain Yourself for Free!

A few months back, I began experimenting with the concept of “money-free entertainment”.  Since embarking on our “debt-free journey”, one of my biggest realizations is that many activities we used to do regularly and take for granted were really bogging down our budget.  They had to be put on pause for a while if we truly wanted to get ahead.  Therefore, we cut them.  However, boredom soon became a problem, leading to arguments on how strict we really need to be with our budget.  Personally, I’m happy as a clam staying in bed all day and binge-watching Netflix, reading financial blog posts, or listening to podcasts and audiobooks.  However, my husband, the extrovert, needs to get out of the house and actually do something in his free time, or he tends to drive us all bonkers!  I’ve tried to find ways to appease this side of him; however, I still struggle to find fun, entertaining things to do without spending exorbitant amounts of cash.  I do know there are other options out there; it’s just a matter of having an open mind and being willing to try!  Now, to convince my other-half…

  1. Check out the local community calendar – Look at your city’s or town’s website (and cities and towns nearby) to find a list of events going on in the community. Many of these events may be free.  If there is a small fee, ask if they are looking for volunteers.  Chances are they will welcome you with open arms.  You will save your bucks and appear altruistic at the same time.  You could also get involved in community sports.  Many sports fields are filled during the spring and summer months with both youth and adult sports leagues.  You don’t need to know any of the players, and sure you might feel weird just randomly cheering on a team, but trust me, no one will even know, or care.  Stop by, watch a game or two, and start chatting with people.  Ask any of the team coordinators if they need a helping hand, it could be a great way to get involved and meet others in your community.
  2. Visit your local library – Libraries are basically large warehouses for free books, extensive CD and DVD collections, journals, and other things that can keep an introvert entertained for hours.  Many libraries also have “story time” that can keep kids busy, film nights for the whole family, book clubs, author readings or lectures, and many other events you might be unaware of – all completely free.  Our local library even has a 3D printer for use, which sounds fun but the waiting list is currently almost at 9 months.
  3. Teach yourself how to juggle – Ever wish you knew how to juggle when you were a kid? All you really need are three tennis balls (or apples), some YouTube videos showing you how, and time to practice.  It might sound lame, but juggling can be fun to learn, and if you’re a couch potato like I am it can be considered a workout.  It’s also something fun to bust out as a party trick on occasion; you can always get people to smile if you juggle three fruits in the kitchen while preparing something.
  4. Have a film festival – Invite some friends over and ask them to bring their favorite DVDs. Then, settle in with some snacks (whatever you have on hand) and burn a lazy afternoon and evening just watching movies together.  It’s a ton of fun and it doesn’t cost anything at all.  If the weather is being especially cooperative, have a “movies under the stars” night – just set up some old blankets and cushions in the back yard, mosquito repellent, and set up the projector screen against any flat surface.  If you don’t have a projector screen, just use a tablet or laptop like we do.
  5. Do a neighborhood cleanup – You don’t need to organize a formal activity. Just walk through the common areas in your neighborhood (parks, sidewalks, etc.) with a trash bag and a pair of gloves, and pick up the litter.  If your OCD kicks in, it can be a satisfying way to get your blood going.  It also spruces up your neighborhood and the surrounding area, not just for your own enjoyment, but for everyone.  If you want to really get into it, invite other people that live near you to get involved as well and make an event out of it.
  6. Rearrange the furniture in a room – It’s amazing how much you can refresh a room just by moving the furniture into new positions. It can completely refresh the look of the room and give you a good workout too.  Try to keep flow and functionality in mind, and if you really want to make a project out of it, start browsing through décor magazines and Pinterest.  If you’re feeling especially energetic, just think: an empty room can be the best canvas to work with.  There’s plenty of ideas to try out that will keep you busy all weekend and perhaps all week too.  If, for some reason, this prospect stresses you out or you don’t like the results, remember that it’s just furniture.  It can be moved back.
  7. Volunteer your time – There are countless volunteer projects out there that need nothing more than your time. A Saturday working for a volunteer cause can add good karma points to your psyche.  You can meet others in your community while making a positive contribution to society and working your body and mind for the benefit of others.  You might even pick up a new skill, and either way, it will leave you at the end of the day knowing you used your time to help others.  Another option is to help an elderly or disabled friend or neighbor – there’s always a person or two in your life that could use a helping hand, but who are often are too proud to ask.  One great way to bridge this gap is to just stop in for a visit and pay attention – if they need something, you’ll usually find out.  Just volunteer to do it and get started.  You’ll find it’s the simple things that really help – reaching something on a high shelf or managing a simple household task.  That little effort can make all the difference.  Few things can make you feel as good as helping someone you care about.
  8. Play with a pet – it doesn’t have to be your own – An hour spent playing fetch or Frisbee with a dog, or rubbing its belly, can give you a different perspective on things and help you destress too! The same can be said for time spent curled up petting a cat.  Spend some quality time with your pet or with the pet of a neighbor or friend; animal shelters are usually in need of volunteers to walk or play with their rescue pets as well.  Every pet loves attention, a bit of exercise and interaction.  Plus, petting an animal can lower your blood pressure and reduce stress hormones (Crouse, 2019).  You could even start up a side gig as a pet sitter, and make some extra cash on your money-free weekend.
  9. Play Frisbee or practice yoga at the park – Get a friend (or a pet) and dig out that old Frisbee from your closet, then head out to an open field and toss it around. It’s a lot of fun and can be a great excuse to run around, stretch, jump, and act all out silly in a public space without fear of being judged.  The best part it, it doesn’t cost a dime.  You could also practice yoga, or perhaps try it for the first time.  All you need is some outdoor space, mosquito repellent, and a blanket to do most yoga poses.  Try out some basic yoga poses to see if you enjoy it.  It increases flexibility, improves concentration, and holding some of those positions for long periods can be a powerful workout.  If you have a hard time getting your mind to quiet down, use this as an opportunity to learn how to study better for your AU courses.  Make It Stick – The Science of Successful Learning, written by Peter C. Brown, is an eight and a half hour audio book on Audible that a fellow AU student suggested in the AUSU app.  Brown explains how common study habits can turn out to be counterproductive and explains how to use strategies that make learning easier.
  10. Go on a bike ride – If you have a bicycle and a helmet laying around, you already have everything you need for some good exercise and good fun. Head outside and bike away.  Almost every city, town, and every provincial park has an extensive array of bike trails, so you can usually find somewhere new and interesting to explore.  Plus, it’ll help get you into shape quickly.  Don’t forget to take some ice water and a snack with you!
References
Brown, P.  (2014).  Make it stick :the science of successful learning.  Dreamscape Media.
Crouse J.  (2019).  Get Healthy, Get a Dog: The health benefits of canine companionship.  Harvard Medical School Special Health Reports.