Everyone can have fun and leisure with a little money and lots of imagination
Entertainment is an important facet of life, essential to recharge the mind, body and spirit. It is also a major expenditure, especially if one thinks of entertainment as the standard dining out, going to movies and theme parks, playing with the latest gadgets and enjoying technology – all these comes with a price.
While it’s alright to take care of one’s physical and mental health through relaxation, there is something wrong in splurging for leisure at the expense of more urgent and important things like food security, education and bills payment. The secret to a nice balance between fun and responsible spending lies in a healthy entertainment mindset: everyone can have fun and leisure with a little money and lots of imagination.
Here are a list of online resources on great budget entertainment ideas.
1. GO SIMPLIFI
Readers looking for planning and life “tools” to help simplify everyday financial challenges will find in Go Simplifi a focused approach to financial organization. It offers a top-down style to money management, breaking down big plans into small tasks. This is evident in its MyVacation – Staycation section, where specific travel details are tackled to help carry out the major goal.
Go Simplifi helps readers enjoy a true staycation – enjoying the perks and fun of a typical vacation without extensive travel, and cautions them on the pitfalls of wrong staycation where routine, chores and work interfere because of proximity to home. Great reads include staycation suggestions, budget-friendly staycation and tips on worry-free and safe travels.
WHAT’S UNIQUE: The Stamp This feature, where readers can try the Stay-and-Play Passport game for the family on a staycation. Stops include bike rides, dinners off the beaten tracks and backyard camping.
2. NOTES FROM THE FRUGAL TRENCHES
http://notesfromthefrugaltrenches.com
A London-based frugal lady’s personal account of her “downshifting” journey, where the importance of money in one’s life is given a second thought, ending with an affirmation that it is not that all-too important, after all.
Ashley’s posts in Notes From the Frugal Trenches, from her insights on reclaiming simple Sundays to sentimental downshifting guides will inspire readers to lighten up on expensive pleasures and savor happiness and contentment found in day-to-day living. She also includes bullet list of her goals and what she has achieved so far, showing that her no-spending-for-leisure principles are workable. She also use beautiful photos on her posts to enforce her advocacy: you don’t need to earn as much, to buy as much, instead you can focus on living.
WHAT’S UNIQUE: The section on No Spending Days, showing how the little items we unconsciously purchase add up. Ashley began the challenge with a 1 day no-spending per week. She has now advanced to 20 days no-spending per month. See if you can top her feat.
3. HOBBIES ON A BUDGET
Fishing and canoeing are just just some of the hobbies for less featured in Hobbies on a Budget
Rediscover what makes each of us unique as individuals by learning and sharing tips on how to pursue our hobbies and interests without breaking our budget. Sharon, a work at home mom from Kentucky is the woman behind Hobbies On A Budget, and she helps readers realize that no matter what one’s personal interest in, it doesn’t take too much money and time to thrive and grow.
Frugal hobbyists can scour the Find a Hobby section for an extensive list of hobby categories and start loading up on spendthrift ways to pursue one’s interest. There’s also an inspiring Hobbies that Make a Difference section, listing interests that can also double up as a charitable cause for you, your friends or family. Sharon also recruits friends from around the world to guest-post so that there will be a variety of frugal hobbies featured.
WHAT’S UNIQUE: The Giveaways and Contests section. Every hobbyist loves free stuff.
4. WHITE FENCE
With its compare, connect and save mantra, White Fence helps readers lower their bills on technology, from bundles to stand-alone services like Internet, phone and television. It is an all-in-one resource for those looking to understand personal and home technology better and for ways to save on technology expenditure.
The website features great money-saving posts that allow readers to better understand service and quality and the price one pays for them. There are also many instructional posts and deals alert from various tech service providers across the US.
WHAT’S UNIQUE: A fast search feature that allows readers to compare high speed Internet providers and find a number of great prices and plans, including DSL, cable and satellite Internet.
5. THRIFTY FUN
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf44052591.tip.html
Thrifty Fun is a community of creative people and everyday experts (readers included) who are on the lookout for inexpensive solutions to enjoy and relax in the comforts of one’s home like crafting, creative recycling,
gardening, recipes and more.
Aside from covering major frugal living departments like budgeting, better living, education, food and health, it offers crafts, computers, entertainment, parties and recreations that are a treasure trove of workable ideas where frugal entertainment is concerned.
WHAT’S UNIQUE: An Ask A Question section where readers can post a help shoutout for guides on a particular domestic dilemma, often involving spending and saving, and a bunch of community members would come in full force to offer their nifty advices.
6. THE DAILY GREEN
The Daily Green is a great resource for environmental-friendly ways for people to enjoy life much better. Its best feature for hobbyists would be The Green Cheapskate section by Jeff Yeager, which serves up workable frugal tips pertinent for readers who are looking for thrifty ideas for specific facets of their hobbies, such as guides for buying used bikes, frugal gardening, budget-friendly lodgings and cheapskate wining as well as some artsy crafty cool finds like creative things to do with old yellow phone books.
WHAT’S UNIQUE: The quick access to the Be Out There Campaign by the National Wildlife Federation, advocating that all children should experience the simple pleasures and lasting benefits of spending time outside. The list on 30 great ideas to have children spend time outside the home (not necessarily in the great outdoors) is a precious resource for parents to get their kids be more active and enjoy some good savings at the same time.
Why is FinancesOnline free?
Leave a comment!