#AD This is a collaborative post.
A lot of articles about saving money and living more frugally focus on how you can reduce the cash you spend on things like your mortgage or your supermarket costs. While it’s important to know how to cut your expenses in these areas, you also need to think about how you can cut the costs of more enjoyable things too.
For instance, how do you go out for nights on the town with your loved ones while still sticking to the budget that you’ve set for the month. Do you have to give up on your favourite things entirely, or is there a way to have the best of both worlds?
#Check for Vouchers.
Even restaurants have discounts and vouchers to offer sometimes. Check online for ideas for your next big date, and you might be able to find something fun to do from websites like Groupon. These sites come packed full of cheap activities that could help you to have fun on a budget. You might even find that you find a cheap getaway for a weekend the next time you want to spend some time away with your partner.
#Take Water With You.
If you’re constantly spending cash on bottled water when you’re going on adventures with your friends and family, then why not cut the costs by buying a reusable bottle? You’ll be able to still keep yourself and your kids refreshed this way, without having to constantly stop off at corner shops and other locations to top up on beverages. You can even take snacks with you if you’re the kind of person who frequently gets hungry.
#Have a Night In.
Nights in aren’t as bad as they seem. You’ve spent a fortune on the loan for your new dining room, and the mortgage for your house, so why wouldn’t you make the most of the space that you’ve got? Bringing people over for a night in can be just as much fun as going out. You can ask your loved ones to bring bottles of their favourite drinks with them, or you can consider even requesting a pot-luck dinner, where everyone brings some food, and something entertaining to do -like a movie or a board game.
#Do more Things for Free.
Speaking of having fun at your own home, there are also other ways that you can have fun for free in your local area too. For instance, if you join a local Facebook group in your area then you might discover that there are some free open days at your town’s museums, or park events where people can hang out with other families and kids without spending a penny. Free days out can be a fantastic way to make some memories.
#Be Social.
Speaking of social media, it’s always a good idea to follow the restaurants, cafes, and other locations that you like to hang out at online. These days, a lot of companies prefer to share discounts, vouchers and sales with their social media followers before everyone else. If you’re on the news feed of your favourite companies, then you’ll be the first to know when you can save money on a delicious meal out with the people that you care about.
#Find Places within Walking Distance.
If you’re looking for something fun to do on the weekend, consider leaving the car at home. Although it can seem more convenient to drive everywhere, sometimes you’ll save more money by walking instead. Not only will you spend more time in the fresh air this way, as you make your way to wherever you want to be, but you’ll save on car maintenance and petrol costs too. You might even find that you end up getting healthier this way too, which means that you spend less money on things like health clubs and gyms.
#Learn Something New.
Finally, if you’re struggling to find something to do in your spare time and you want to save money – why not try learning something? There are plenty of videos and articles online today that can teach you how to do everything from cooking your own meals to gardening in the comfort of your own home. Find something that you and your family will enjoy learning how to do together. For bonus points, pick something to learn that will save you money in the future. For instance, discovering how to fix a leaky tap on your own will mean you don’t have to pay for a plumber.
