Another poster on this group mentioned that she felt there was almost everything that one does costs money.
I disagree and feel that collectively as a group we could suggest many interests and pursuits that are no-cost or low cost.
Random Suggestions:
- digital photography
- board games
- free concerts
- pay-what -you-can performances (plays, cinema, courses, activities)
- volunteer work
- outdoor exercise
- home exercise
- learn a new language
- learn a new computer skill
- write
- ride a bike
- grow a garden
- learn a new recipe/ cooking technique
- hiking in woods.
- time with a pet
- help a special interest group (social, political, environmental, etc)
- sewing
- woodworking
- art/crafts
- roller-blade
- historical walking tour
- garden tours
- seed saving
- preserving fall harvest ( canning, dehydrating, freezing, etc)
- upcycle something
Please add some suggestions!
I recently hooked up with an organization called Hamilton Freeskool. I'm actually going to be teaching quilting to anyone who wants to come. Classes are free. Instructors are volunteers who want to share a skill. Cooking, Arabic, yoga, etc. are some other things that Freeskool has run.
Social activism is free.
Hiking trails, nature trails, whatever your town has to offer. Although the cost of a handheld GPS upfront costs money, geocaching is a great way to get to know your town, get you out and about.
Al Anon, AA, NA... LOL I know that sounds crazy, but if you do suffer from addictions or have a family member who does, these meetings are free, and you can meet new people. It's also free therapy. My one friend calls it a free self-help program. LOL
Church or spiritual services
Writing, arts, crafts, webdesign (I'm assuming you have a computer), graphic design
Air cadets, cub scouts, social organizations... volunteer stuff
Most universities let anyone audit classes for free (I think... I have heard this, not sure if it's true)
iTunes/YouTube/Frontline documentaries; learn a skill online, language
Travel using Craigslist rideshares and couchsurfing.com
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True a lot of hobbies require that you shell out money up front for things like a computer or a camera or gardening supplies or a sewing machine... but after that, you can have weeks of entertainment doing cheap or free stuff. I made a lot of YouTube videos on a crappy $40 video camera I had, and created quite a little online community. I created this online community with the installation of some free discussion board software and some cheap webspace.
I'm an AVID traveller but I do it on the super cheap -- true, I have a car, but I bought a van and then a hatchback so I could sleep in there (no hotel costs) and I usually pack picnic lunches and stuff and manage cheap weekends away by picking up craiglist rideshares to share the cost of gas.
Reading-get a library card if you don't already have one. Sure, technically its paid for in your taxes, but its a great value. DVDs at our library are only $1/week. You can also use the internet for free, or join a book group, or whatever other activities they have.
Journaling
Our local bookstore has a an open mic night, can watch free performances, or perform. Some are really bad, but to the point they're funny, and there's also undiscovered talent, so its a nice way to be entertained for 2 hours.
If you have cheap phone service, calling old friends and catching up is nice. Or write. The art of the handwritten letter is pretty much lost.
-The NIKE store in SM has free group walk/runs every Wed and Sat.
-There is a park in our neighborhood that does free concerts all Summer. Really well done concerts, too.
-SM pier has free movie nights on the weekends. People camp out in the sand with their blankets and candles/picnic basket, etc. and watch the movie on the large screen.
-Tons of hiking clubs around.
-Tennis. Find a friend that wants a partner. Most avid players will have an extra racket and you can play for free.
I'm glad to see the library was mentioned.
If you have a laptop with wireless you can always hang out in coffee shops and play on the net.
Nearly all of my weekend activities are free.
If you want to go to a concert or play for free, volunteer to be an usher. You may miss the first few minutes as you usher in the late arrivals and you'll be seated in the back but the price is right.
We walk to the golf course near our house in winter and XC ski.
Visit nursing home residents. Every time I go to the nursing home I get WAY more out of it than I put in. It's a blessing to do this kind of service - if you want to feel great - take a couple hours and make some people's day.
Bike ride on the bike path.
Garden. There is an initial investment but if you start your own seeds it can be very cheap. And it pays for itself in the end!
Worth mentioning again - LIBRARY. They usually have several newspapers. The Sunday NYT can last me 4-5 hours alone! Not to mention magazines - they generally have tons. That's all before we get to the books!
Work in the yard and talk to neighbors. In our neighborhood we can spend hours out just chewing the fat with the neighbors and getting some work done.
Bake pumpkin bread, apple bread, apple pie, whatever. Baking is CHEAP. Once you're done, invite a friend or neighbor over to share what you've made. Not free, but pretty close.
Around here there are free concerts and lectures pretty much every night of the week. Get the calendars of the local schools around you - most colleges have recitals, lectures, etc.
Women's sports games are usually free - around here the women's ice hockey is free and we love it as much as the men's games. There are other women's sports games - depends on what you're in to.
I'm not exaggerating when I say we rarely spend money on entertainment. We just don't need to. This weekend I spent $1.35 on a cup of coffee out with my sister. That's it. And we've been really busy!
Check the websites for local colleges and universities. They always have lectures and other events that are free and open to the public. The same with local historical societies and groups.
If you're feeling isolated, grab a book and sit on a bench at a busy park and read. I've done it before. Even if I don't talk to anyone I still feel connected.
Parks! Many local parks have free admittance. Go look around at what the park has to offer, and then just sit still and breathe in the beauty. That's the best part -- watching the birds overhead, gazing across a beautiful vista, and enjoying the breeze or the sun.
It's a beautiful day today. I think I'l head out later this afternoon.
I love heading out with my camera and just taking tons of photos.