Tips for having fun when you're on a budget
Financial Stability. That thing we all yearn for. Besides having peace of mind that if the car breaks down, you can fix it, and all that important stuff, it’s the day to day where you really feel it. The kids are bouncing off the wall and you just HAVE to get out of the house? Off to the movies! Or the trampoline park! Or the arcade! Or maybe it’s just been a super long week and work was super busy and you had zero extra time to “meal plan” and then “grocery shop” so you know there is literally nothing in the fridge, and all your problems would be solved if only you could just stop by and grab something to feed your herd on the way home.
But you can’t, because….you’re broke. You guys, It’s embarrassing to admit, but I’ve been there. Many many times. Like, I only have $5 to last until Thursday broke. With that confession out there, I’m sure you don’t want to listen to any kind of financial advice I have. That’s fine, Dave Ramsey is so much better at that anyways. I’m working on getting there, but until then…here are some creative things I’ve done to keep my sanity and keep my son and I happy on basically zero money. So here we go.
1) Go for a walk. Seriously, this is a quick fix. Grab the leash and the dog, tell your minions to put on their shoes (and, in my son’s case, also pants because he’s a heathen wild child) and just go. You’d be shocked how much a change of location and some fresh air helps. I love getting my son away from the television and tablet and let him just run. He eventually (even if he’s in a bad mood) chills and then starts talking. I’ve learned so many things once his mouth starts running, and this is seriously wonderful bonding time. We inevitably walk back in the door so much more chill. At the very least, they might be too tired to whine.
2) Dollar Movies. This is always a good idea if you have a little money to spend. You just have to be careful about concessions, because those are definitely not a dollar. If you’re super sneaky and your kid won’t blab (that part is tricky), sometimes you can sneak in stuff. Otherwise, definitely eat before you go. Also, stick around, I'm planning on writing another post about how we save money at the regular theater.
3) Bring snacks. There are plenty of places to explore that are free or cheap. Where they get you is the fact that you’re eventually going to get hungry and spend a billion dollars on a crappy chicken finger basket because everyone is starving to death. Prevent this meltdown on everyone’s part by packing snacks and nibbling throughout the day. I’ve also found that mixing up your offerings often helps. No one wants to eat that same granola bar they’ve already had 12 of this month when there’s new stuff to try. Even picking a new flavored fruit roll up makes the experience more enjoyable.
4) Season tickets. This tip has been a life saver. Last Christmas, when friends and family were all asking what to get my son and I for Christmas and our birthdays (because they are all three the same week), we told them we wanted money for season passes to Universal. They came through in a major way. I took the money and paid for us to get premier passes. I also signed up during a time when you get an extra three months free. You guys, we have been to Universal approximately 1 billion times in the last year. Some weekends I had about $3 of fun money left to spend and we got to go to a MAJOR THEME PARK AND RIDE ROLLER COASTERS. It was so wonderful to get out of the house and feel like we were on vacation for a few hours, even when things were tight. You may not be lucky enough to have Universal Studios or Disney World right down the road, but maybe you have a local waterpark, or a super fun kids museum. Some movie theaters are starting movie subscriptions. Another option would be to ask for gift certificates to pull out when you need them. Find something you love, and do whatever you can to get season passes when you have a little extra. It’ll save your sanity when things are tight.
5) Find someplace to explore for free. Any place can feel like an adventure with the right attitude; there's bound to be something, no matter where you live. My small hometown has a super cool oil baron’s mansion from the 20's. There were hiking trails that had old graffitied crumbling stone structures that Cash was convinced was “where Jesus was born.” Here in Orlando, we like to go Disney resort hopping. Seriously, we go to one of the resorts and park our car, then we ride the monorail or boat or bus from park to park and explore all of the resorts. We’ve taken pictures with Ariel and Lightening McQueen at Disney’s Animation hotel, walked around the campgrounds, and still have a billion other things to explore, all for the low low cost of…nothing.
6) Don’t be proud. You guys, I have seriously the best friends on the planet. Sometimes they take us to do stuff. I never ask them for anything, but sometimes they offer, and…I say yes. I say thank you. And I don’t feel guilty about it, because that’s what friends do. Sometimes a friend wants to take me and my boy to the zoo for a day, or a children’s museum. I once had a friend pay me $50 because I made her a pie, swearing the whole time that’s what she would have paid at the store. They are ridiculous and amazing and isn’t that what friendship is about? When one of them calls me next week and needs to tell me something about her ex, the same story I’ve heard 5 times already, I’ll listen, and let her talk it out as many times as she needs to until it sinks in and she’s ready to move on. And I’m over the moon, super happy to help her do that. It would make me feel really sad if she felt guilty or didn’t call at all, because she felt like she was being difficult. Friendships are give give give and sometimes you take too. There’s nothing to feel ashamed about. Let your friends and family treat you to a day out if they offer. Then make sure you actually enjoy it, which is the best thank you ever. :)