Do you find yourself spending money on things, just as a way to pass the time? At the moment of making a purchase, it may seem like a good idea. You may have really wanted to see that new movie, or read a new book, eat a new dish, try a different genre of video game, decorate your home in a different style, etc. But if you do those kinds of things often enough, it can start to become a drain on your finances. Luckily there are many ways to keep yourself busy without spending a dime. Here are 51 Things to Do Today Instead of Spending Money to get you started!
51 Things to Do Today Instead of Spending Money
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Some of the things below are really productive. And others are mostly just entertainment. If you’re trying to think of things to do today instead of spending money, consider your current mood, then make a pick from the list below. You’ll have a higher chance of success doing chores if you’re feeling responsible than if you’re tired and really just want to relax!
- Clean up your social media posts – delete old posts or photos that you now think are embarrassing
- Unfollow accounts on social media that you no longer care about
- Re-arrange your furniture or home decor. You’ll be amazed at how moving a few things around makes a room feel new without shopping!
- Update your social media accounts and any portfolio sites
- Make/update your personal website (you can make a free site through services like Wix and Weebly)
- Make/update your blog (you can make a free blog through services like Blogger and WordPress.com)
- Make an account on a freelancing site like Fiverr, Freelancer, or Upwork. Those are great side hustles!
- Make a shop on a selling website (Etsy, Ebay, etc.)
- Clean your house
- Clean up your yard and garden beds
- Declutter your home- put the excess stuff aside to throw out, donate, or sell
- Wash your kids’ or pets’ toys
- Organize the icons on your computer’s desktop
- Organize your computer’s folders
- Organize your email- add folders, tags, set up automatic sorting, etc.
- Watch a documentary on YouTube
- Learn a new skill from a YouTube tutorial
- Learn a new language (you can learn for free through apps and sites like Duolingo)
- Call a relative or friend
- Journal about your day, your hopes, your dreams, etc.
- Draw – there are lots of free tutorials on Pinterest and YouTube
- Knit or crochet – check YouTube if you don’t know how
- Make music (you can play the piano online through apps and sites like Virtual Piano)
- Write a short story
- Start writing a non-fiction or fiction eBook to sell
- Go for a walk in your neighborhood
- Do an easy craft (like making your own coasters)
- Do a big DIY project (like a furniture upcycle)
- Dance
- Exercise
- Play with the kids or your pets
- Wash your dog
- Train your dog
- Wash your car
- Learn how to meditate
- Research healthy eating (what to buy organic, vegetarian recipe ideas, what zoodles are, etc.)
- Make a meal plan
- Create freezer meals so you’ll be ready for busy days. Here are 15 Time Saving Freezer Meals to get you started.
- Make a budget, or adjust your budget. Here’s how to make A Simple Budget
- Assess how well you’re doing financially to prepare for retirement
- Update your resume (don’t forget about online copies of your resume!)
- Create a savings goal for something you’d like to buy or do
- Make a vision board (a real one, or a Pinterest one)
- See if any better rates have come up for insurance and bank accounts
- Download money saving apps like Ibotta to your smartphone
- See what new movies will be coming out in the next few months and watch the trailers on YouTube
- Make (or update) a list of books you want to read
- Comment on blogs, websites, news articles, YouTube videos, etc.
- Find a free eBook to read
- Find free smartphone apps to play
- Organize your junk drawer.
If you pick one of these things to do today instead of spending money, you’ll probably save a little money. So you may think, is it worth it? The answer is yes! Because if you do one of these things every time you’re tempted to spend money to keep from being bored, you’ll actually save a lot in the long run! On top of that, you may learn an interesting skill, make money, have fun, or maybe get your house organized. Either way, you win!
What do you do to stay entertained but not spend money?
You may also be interested in this post: 100 Things to Throw Away
