I had a very thrifty weekend, but I did a hell of a lot! It was inspiration to write about 10 more cheap thrills. See this post for 30 other fun things to do for less.
The focus is on things you can do that don’t involve spending a lot of money – to relax, entertain or simply change tack away from the couch:
1. Visit your local gourmet food market. My favourite Auckland spot is the Parnell Farmers Market – places like these often have samples galore. Learn a little bit, taste a little bit and have a chat with vendors! I usually head straight to the fromagerie.
2. Meet a friend for coffee. Or don’t. Develop a love of herbal tea – it saves you money and buys you time! At most cafes (for the price of a latte) you’ll get you get an entire pot of tea, giving you longer to loiter, chat, work on your screenplay. My little red pot of raspberry and peach tea cost $3.00!
3. Cook something laborious from scratch. It doesn’t have to be expensive – just time consuming! Think vegetable risotto with homemade bread. Invite friends around and add a bottle of wine for an instant dinner party.
4. Find a cheap nail salon and get an outrageous manicure. Orange and aqua with diamantes. Leopard print. Cute fruits? I particularly love the elaborate drying process and reading trashy mags while my nails harden. Another option is to grab one of your girlfriends and do it yourself.
5. Find an addictive computer game and clock that mother. I favour Roller Coaster Tycoon and other old school games I wanted to dominate as a kid.
6. Go for a run. It’s free, you get fit and some fresh air. Win win.
7. Host a couchsurfer. Do a weary traveller a favour by offering them a couch, and in exchange you’ll enjoy scintillating conversation, a taste of a new culture and perhaps make a new friend! Do give it a go, you weren’t sitting on that couch anyway.
9. Structured photo missions - shoot yellow hues only, snap pictures of things starting with A, circles, whatever. Choose something and stick to it. This is one of my favourite time wasting activities – it’ll make you look at the world with fresh eyes!
10. Play pool. Hanging out at a pool hall for a few hours won’t cost much at all… improve your skills, drink, talk a load of crap with your friends or just soak up the atmosphere. The mustier the hall, the better!
What do you do to entertain yourself that’s affordable, and rad? I’d love to know!
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I love the structured photo mission idea! Think I’m gonna do that. Thanks for the inspiration. Your last post ‘30 fun things to do for cheap or free’ was the first post I read on your website. I came through the Twitter of Project Day Zero. I’ve put some ideas of yours in it. :)
Nina: Glad to have helped!!
This is a brilliant post! Another good one is berry picking which is always good fun (and you’ll have enough jam to pass off as little unexpected gifts to friends!)
The photo idea is brilliant as well, I once went around London photographing every cat I saw, a suprising amount when you’re looking for them haha!
Is that Ponsonby Pool Hall? That place is awesome! I used to rock that place fairly regularly when I lived round the corner. Recommended.
i know you put cooking but baking is one of my faves. Around our garden we have a lemon tree and a grapefruit tree. i try to make all sorts of different tasty goodies out of the fruit and one time made a wicked marmalade and gave it out to family and friends. you can get the recipe from edmonds cook book.
Ok, it’s official. I’m in love with your blog.
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I’ve been surfing the entire morning (it’s my day off, finally), and I came upon your blog from WishWishWish’s blogroll. I’m glad I did! :) Added you to mine as well. Have a nice day!