How to Have Fun Without Breaking The Bank

Sometimes money is just tight. Maybe a check did not come when it was supposed to, or maybe you work in a business where demand waxes and wanes, and this affects how much you make per pay period. Possibly you work a job that is straight commission so there is no set amount that you will be making at a given time. If any of these scenarios are true, or you are going through a longer stretch with less money, this should not have to be a time of being a complete hermit. Yes, you do not want to go out and spend a lot of money, and you really don’t have to. You can still go out, have fun and not break the bank.

One of the ways that this can be done is to find out where the free concerts and events are in your area. There are places that show free movies in the summer, or they have a block party where the community gets together. You can meet neighbors and friends without spending a lot.

Are you a fan of movies? You can watch free movies with the help of a library card. There are many libraries that offer the ability to rent out movies or music for no fee. Will you be watching the latest blockbuster? Well, no. But you can expand your horizons and watch movies that maybe you would pass up if you were going to pay to rent them. Why not try a foreign film? Or find something in a different genre than you normally watch. Additionally, do not overlook all of the reading options either. You can always take a book to the park and spend some time in nature.

There are many museums and exhibits that offer free periods for admittance. Many cities offer a free local newspaper where events can be posted. Additionally, there can be events posted at the dry cleaners or the local coffee shop on the bulletin boards. As always there is the Internet available for search. If you don’t have the money for Internet service, then head out to places that offer free Wi-Fi and search the Net. There are a greater number of places that offer free Wi-Fi than there used to be. Just make sure that you know how to access the service (some might require a log-in page and others will require that a code or password be entered). Again, the library is a good source for not only free Wi-Fi but if you need to borrow a computer as well.

Another fun idea where costs can be controlled is having a “dinner with friends” night. You can trade off where the dinner will be held, discuss the options beforehand and then you get to have a night out. This can be combined with movies if either of you have DVDs at home or you can all chip in for a rental.

Another good source of fun is going to openings that happen around the community. Stores having grand openings might have free giveaways to the first group of people to walk through the door. Usually, for any opening, there is a giveaway or samples that accompany it. This is to help get out the word about the store to bring in the customers. So they advertise their business, and you reap the rewards.


There are many low or no-cost opportunities to have fun. Just because you are a little tight on cash does not mean that you cannot have a life. Get out there and find the fun!