12 Ideas for Recession-Proof Fun this Weekend
Arrange a bouquet of flowers for your bedside. Not sure what it’s like where you are, but here it’s a bit grey with not-so-fresh snow on the ground. Waking up to a bouquet of fresh tulips would make the start of the day a lot sunnier, no matter what the weather’s like outside. If you find a bunch for less than $6, you really don’t have a reason not to.
Learn something new. Do you ever wonder about the Mayans? Or do you wish you knew more about quilting circles or Imperial Russian traditions from the 19th century? Me too. Go to the library and pull out a book on a topic you know nothing about. Read for thirty minutes. If you’re entranced, check it out. If you’re bored to tears, put it back.
Bake scones. Because they’re delicious.
Buy 15 minutes of reflexology. Are you stressed? Who am I kidding, of course you are. You’ve got mice, no health insurance, and the stock market keeps reaching new lows. In my experience, reflexology puts me in an otherworldly state of relaxation must faster than a massage, and if you find a spa school with cheaper rates, you can definitely swing 15 minutes worth of foot-kneading.
Or have a full-blown spa weekend at home. At this time of winter, many of us, if we are being honest, will admit to some deterioration of our grooming habits. Make up for lost time with some of these natural, diy at-home spa solutions.
Act like a tourist. I bet your town has a folklore museum or a display of fool’s gold in city hall or some other attraction you’ve never laid eyes on. Pretend you’re on vacation in your hometown and go check it out. It might be interesting, and even if it’s not, it will probably make you laugh.
Go out for dim sum. This one is somewhat dependent on where you live, but if you can’t swing dim sum, try a hole-in-the-wall taqueria or a Vietnamese sandwich shop. I dare you to try to spend more than $10.
Call up that friend you haven’t seen. Last night, I saw of friend of mine who I hadn’t seen in months. We went to a happy hour with $3 drinks, though we could have as easily bought a bottle of cheap wine and sat on the bed in her apartment. Point is, we had so much to catch up on, she offered new perspectives on my same old problems, and she made me laugh my head off. Oh, and I think, after our second round, we mutually agreed to try out for the short girl season of America’s Next Top Model. Anyway, call your friends. They’re tops.
Get a bang trim. Nothing improves a girl’s self-confidence and sense of self like a haircut. If you can’t afford a haircut right now, at least maybe you could spiff up your look by getting the hair out of your eyes?
Watch Rocky. I always thought Rocky was a dude’s movie with a lot of blood and quite frankly, I’m not sure I knew how or if it was different from Rambo. But Rocky rocks! It’s a love story about oddballs, an inspirational flick about overcoming the odds, and it’s really funny. Watch it, put on your grey hoodie, download Rocky’s theme for $.99 and then go for a run, shadow boxing down the street. Bonus: There are few things, in my opinion, more hysterically sexy than Rocky Balboa in a white tank hanging from his chin-up bar and talking about his turtles.
Stay in bed. Sometimes there is nothing more luxurious than being propped up in bed with a stack of magazines, a really good book, a big cup of coffee, and then staying there all day. Even better if you have a bedfellow.
Take a few bags to the Salvation Army. We’re approaching the end of the winter season, which means it’s probably crystal clear to you which sweaters you wear and which you don’t. Take the closet clutter to a thrift shop and come home with some 80′s rainbow snowboots or scarf to put into action on bad hair days.
Any other ideas?
Kathryn @ Australia Entertains: Walk past your local church and become a wedding crasher (well, without actually crashing…) I always adore seeing happy people dressed up to the nines. It brings a smile every time!2 years ago
Couldn’t agree more, Kathryn.2 years ago
Sara Rose: Gieve yourself a mani/pedi!!! Board games! Go for a late winter/early spring walk in the park to see how things look right before spring comes. Go to lala.com and listen to music for free!2 years ago
Alyssa Goodnight: Great list–beautiful tulips!
I say hit the library and check out the new releases!2 years ago
radish: I’m all for baking – cookies, scones, pie – because they make your apartment smell good for days, because nothing will put a smile on your face like a piece of good pie and because playing with dough is fun!
go gallery hopping in a close-by neighborhood – you see art, it is free, and you get to learn about up and coming artists.
go for a jog – now that the weather is getting to be nice, it’ll get those winter doldrums straight out of you. jogging is free AND it puts you in a good mood. oh yeah, and bikini season is coming
2 years ago
Pooja: Love the list! I especially love library books, hole-in-the-wall restaurants, any kind of massage, and meeting up with friends
ANTM – here we come! To add a few things, I suppose I’d have to go with:
Go to a neighborhood park and join in a pick-up sports game.
Plan phone/video chat dates with friends who live afar – you both sit down with a cup of coffee (or a bowl of cereal) in your respective cities and pretend you are enjoying it together.
Volunteer – its so fun to feel like you have made an impact on the world around you, and there are often 1-time opportunities for the weekends, rather than standing commitments.
Eat a pint of ice cream. Maybe not the best thing to do, but has this activity ever not brought enjoyment and happiness and satisfaction to your life? It may cost money, but not a lot, and its so worth it.2 years ago
Yay Pooja! You wanna be on top?2 years ago
Rae: Light Candles. They are instant relaxation and luxury.2 years ago
michaela: i just bought some pink tulips that i have sitting in a glass pitcher on the table.
2 years ago
Creole Wisdom: This blog is brilliant! I found you through google- I was trying to figure out how to make a yoga bag. I found your video post, and you are so fun and I couldn’t help but laugh out loud at the “let’s get physical.” I ended up making a simple shoulder bag instead, but I love the philosophy of this blog and will visit from now on!
-Katie @ Creole Wisdom2 years ago
DD: I’m all about Rocky and staying in bed with magazines or a bedfellow. I also like simmering mulled spices on the stove, turning on some Otis Redding or Sam Cooke, and cleaning like a banshee. The reorganization and freshness breathes new life into my dampered spirit. Thanks for the tips!2 years ago
Alison: Recession Proof Friday:
I was planning on making scones and reading “I capture the castle” (recommended by your and borrowed from the library) BUT my friend miraculously had the night off so I’m going there for dinner.
Perfect. Like your blog.2 years ago
EB: That really is a great list! I’d like to add… go to the dog park, even without a dog. Hours of entertainment.2 years ago
Emily: I’ll second Playing Tourist. I grew on Maui and we always had so much fun when visitors came. Now I’m in Santa Barbara and I love getting lost in my own neighborhood. It’s fun to discover side street cafes, cute parks, and look at all the fancy homes and pretend I’m house shopping.
Taking a different route really encourages you to see things in a new light. The day I had to take the bus because my car was in the shop was an interesting a memorable day.2 years ago
creole wisdom, hi, welcome! i think the yoga mat video is my favorite, just because it is so silly (and a really simple project).
DD, Yes, Otis Redding cleaning! I’d also recommend James Brown cleaning.
Alison, what a happy surprise — nothing like having TWO perfect options on Friday night.
EB, Such a great idea. I have a crush on a dog in the neighborhood and cannot imagine how many more I’d get after a day in the dog park.
Emily, That is so true about taking a different route, a different bus, or walking down a different street and having your perspective change. In fact, that’s how I found my bike!2 years ago
Avril: I cant get good flowers where I live….so we’ve done the next best thing- get out in the garden and grow what we like
I love looking out my window and seeing my plants/ blooms happy in the sunshine.
Baking, baking, baking!!!!
Having friends over for a home-cooked meal…nothing lifts my spirits than some shared chatter and shared food
I also love the candles idea…I make my own, and have them all over my home.
A lava lamp??? I gifted my husband one this C’mas, tho’ I seem to enjoy it more. I can stare endlessly at the bubbles going up and down, with not a care in the world.
Having a really long convo with my mum and dad, long distance. In fact, my mum came into town for a couple of days. It was oddly comforting to hear her talk non-stop and give tons of advice
Catching up with friends- always very comforting! My best friend and I try and catch up at least twice a month owing to our busy scheds….but it helps clear our heads and we have a whole lotta laughs
Drink green tea! I’ve recently started doing this. I feel better….more mentally than anything
Pray. I know this might not be everyone’s cup of tea. But just a whispered impromptu prayer whenever Im feeling a tad worked up, always, always helps
Cheerio!2 years ago
Sarah Jane: Spontaneous Pajama-clad sing-along. Play your fave songs and go to town. It leaves my roomie in stitches every time.
Do something really nice for some one else out of the blue. Play tag with your nieces. Visit or write an elderly relative. Just make someone else smile.
If you have a camera, go on walk and take pictures of what catches your eye. You might see things like you never have before.
Go to a local playground with your goofiest pal and go on the swings and merry go rounds. Then go get cocoa or a little ice cream together. (Note: do not reverse the order of activities or there might be unpleasant consequences!)2 years ago
Julia: my boyfriend and I recently had a really nice weekend, without spending much money at all. We bought seasonal vegetables & other ingredients (mainly, I admit, with the help of coupons), put some soup on the hob & some dough rising while we went for a long walk along the beach (which was made into more of an ‘adventure’ simply by starting at a different point and heading in a different direction than we usually would). When we returned, the soup was almost done, and the dough was ready to be formed into bread rolls and baked. Then we ate, watched a DVD and relaxed, then in the evening ate marshmallows dipped in melted chocolate. It was heaven, and we both commented what a nice time we’d had. It was honestly one of our cheapest weekends ever! I think the challenge of having fun during a recession means you have to be really creative in re-thinking your leisure time. But that can be a really good thing. Yes, I do miss going out the weekend after payday and hitting the shops, followed by the pubs, but we still have fun and are not bankrupting ourselves in the process.2 years ago
Lori: 1. Sister (Martha Remix) and I took gobs of my old clothes to Goodwill. It was liberating.
2. Have you heard of Great Depression Cooking With Clara? Suitable for these trying economic times.2 years ago
Lindsay: I just got my bangs trimmed yesterday! It’s a five dollar miracle. Afterwards the stylist asked if they looked okay, and I sighed, “Yes!” She said, “Wow. You feel better, don’t you? I can tell.” I highly recommend it.2 years ago
Sara Rose: We cleaned out Eva’s room yesterday- donated 3 bags of stuff. Today we spent the morning playing kiddie board games- I love that having kids gives me excuses to play Hungry, Hungry Hippos, Candy Land, Twister, and best of all The My Little Pony Princess games! She was also great help in organizing closets. Every need to colorize anything? Get a toddler to help. “MAMA!! WE HAVE TO PUT ALL THE PURPLE TOGETHER! BUT IT HAS TO BE THREE PILES- SHIRTS, SKIRTS, AND PANTS- OOOOOKAAAA2 years ago
Sara Rose: YYYYYYYYY!?!?!?!!?” Ok, Eva. That’s fine. Keep up the good work kiddo! We also baked chocolate chip cookies and painted empty paper towel and toilet paper rolls to make telescopes and binoculars. T2 years ago
Anastasia: thanks for the good ideas, Sarah. I went to the local library yesterday and checked out the 3 or 4 Titanic artifacts they have in a case that I’d never seen. It was totally weird and strangely entertaining.2 years ago
cate: i second “rocky.” when you’re down, there really isn’t a better movie to get you swinging (heh) again.
take a boat ride. if you’re around nyc, hop the staten island ferry. sometimes all it takes is a little (free) change of perspective.2 years ago
Gourmet Chick: Great list – I love the catch up with an old friend one – I am going to put that into practice.
I am planning on baking some hot cross buns this weekend (getting in practice for Easter coming up) and going for a jog. Hopefully the jog should balance out what I predict will be excessive hot cross bun consumption!2 years ago
Lori, Thank you so much for the Great Depression Cooking with Clara tip! What an amazing find!2 years ago
megan (brooklyn farmhouse): Scones (check). Stay in bed (check). Love your list!
2 years ago
Gail: A great weekend is to have another couple over for an evening of cards, a bottle of wine and some good music.2 years ago