No-Buy Month Spending Challenge Day 10: boredom
As the No-Buy Month progresses, Brent learns to make the most of purchases of goods and services he's already made. Unfortunately, those amusements fade quickly. --- lfk.
I've focused primarily on food but as you all know, my No-Buy covers entertainment and shopping as well.
Occupying my time when I'm away from work without spending money is equally daunting. If I had a wife and kids, my time would be filled rather easily. But since I have no such responsibilities at night, I have to make my own fun.
Normally I use the weekend to catch up with friends over drinks or go to the occasional movie at The Charles. I'll frequent a play from time to time or make the trek down to D.C. for a Wizards game.This past weekend ...
... involved an awful lot of gin rummy. Free movies that come with my On Demand, books I'd been meaning to get around to and Yahoo games were also on my menu.
Anyone have other suggestions on inexpensive ways to kill time during nights and weekends?
An aside: I got a break from my homemade meals last night. I work at The Sun until 10 p.m. One of my co-workers, who was filling in on a night shift, treated me to a ham and cheese club from Never On Sunday. It was the best of both worlds -- I kept money in my pocket and I got my grease fix.
Yes, Brent, you would be busier if you had a wife and kids ... and you'd have less money to spend on things like digital cable. Folks, what suggestions do you have for frugal ways for him to have fun? --- lfk.
Don't miss earlier installments of Brent's No-Buy Month Spending Challenge:
1.No-Buy Month, the 28-day spending challenge
(photo: Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)
Categories: Budgeting, Cheap/Frugal, Shopping
Comments
There are plenty of free museums - BMA and the Walters. Try spending time outside exploring different neighborhoods. Go to local parks. Go to the library. Volunteer for a cause that interests you.
Notable, business columnist Jay Hancock agrees with you that libraries are the ultimate cheapskate's mecca. -- lfk.
Posted by: NotableM | February 10, 2009 5:13 PM
Book Thing. All of the books are free. It's totally random what you find, but that's what makes it fun. good for an hour or two of entertainment on a weekend.
That's a great idea to soothe the compulsion to spend money -- shop for free stuff! And one benefit over the library: no late fines. --- lfk.
Posted by: Pigtown | February 11, 2009 9:46 AM
The Baltimore County and Harford County public libraries have many tv series on dvd that are free rentals. At the Baltimore County libraries, you can rent a whole tv series for 7 days- free!! That'll definitely kill a lot of time for you (it has for me :-) ).
Thanks, Bruce! -- lfk.
Posted by: Bruce | February 11, 2009 1:09 PM
This blog got my friend and I thinking about whether we could do it. Today is our Day 2 and we took notes on your first week before laying our "plan" and rules" (I am in Chicago and she is in Detroit). I had yesterday (Day One) off work and did two museums that were having free days and caught the bus to both. We both did our grocery shopping Sunday in preparation and she spent $167 on trip one and had to run back for more, I spent $200 on my two trips that day. We agreed that bills and transportation don't count, but we are tracking transportation along with any things we cave in and buy. We are also tracking the things we don't buy - for example, I hopped off the bus and walked directly towards the Jamba Juice that was calling my name. Then I remembered the challenge and turned away. That 16oz smoothie is now on my list. LOL
Love your posts, they are motivational. I'm determined to do this!
Cherish, you are inspiring to us! Keep us posted on the other temptations you avoid! --- lfk.
Posted by: Cherish Samuels | February 17, 2009 4:25 PM