Life is to be enjoyed and experienced. The majority of people think that having lots of money is what makes life so enjoyable but it is experiences that really make life worth living.
One of the biggest gripes most people have is that they just don’t have the money to enjoy themselves.
They work and work and work to pay bills, to keep a roof over their head and send their kids to the best schools, but they never really take out any time to actually enjoy life.
Yes, money can buy things, but as cliché as it may sound, money does not necessarily buy happiness.
The best things in life aren’t things.
Even if you don’t have a lot of money, that shouldn’t keep you from enjoying your life and having amazing experiences.
It is possible to thoroughly enjoy yourself while you’re on a budget and the following are some ways to do just that.
Stick To Your Budget
Before offering some ways that you can enjoy yourself on a budget, it’s vital to stress the importance of sticking to your budget. You don’t need to splurge to have a good time.
Are those absurd credit card charges and extortionate interest rates really necessary to gain enjoyment, or can you find other ways to get your kicks?
Cheap Things To Do
Things To Do Outside
Getting outside is one of the best ways to enjoy yourself on a budget. Whether you are a nature lover or someone that simply enjoys being outside among people, there’s so much to do and see both near and far if you’re willing to get out there and do some exploring.
What’s best is that many of these outdoor activities are quite affordable.
Some great low-cost ways to enjoy yourself while out and about during your free time include:
1. Picnics
Instead of having lunch inside, why not pack a lunch and go to a local park for a picnic. This is a great way to enjoy the outdoors while eating good food and saving money.
2. Festivals
Festivals of any type are a great way to enjoy yourself on a budget. Whether its summer, spring, winter or fall, a good street festival guarantees great entertainment that’s easy on the pockets.
There are usually lots of things to see, delicious food to eat and great live music to enjoy.
Click here to find out what local festivals are happening in your area.
3. Farmer’s Markets
Farmer’s markets are a special treat because you get the opportunity to discover a wide assortment of foods and handcrafted items that can be purchased at much more affordable prices than your local grocery store.
Just decide how much you are willing to spend before going to the farmer’s market, so that you remain on budget and enjoy perusing among the seasonal offerings from local farms and craftspeople.
4. Local Sightseeing Tours
Those companies offering local sightseeing tours aren’t just for tourists. Why not learn more about your local town by indulging in a local sightseeing tour.
For a small amount of money, you can hop on a bus or a boat that will allow you to learn more about your town or city.
Some other budget-friendly ways to enjoy yourself while outside include:
Hiking or trail walking
Stargazing
Bird watching
Watching a sunset or sunrise
Watersports
Fishing
Roller skating/blading
Biking
Visiting a fairground

Things To Do Indoors
Fun doesn’t need to be restricted to outdoors. There are also a number of budget-friendly ways that you can have fun inside.
Some ideas include:
1. Cooking
Cooking is an excellent way to enjoy yourself on a budget while in the comfort of your own home. Think of all of those recipes that you’ve been dying to try.
Well, why not give them a try. Pick out your favourite recipes, take a trip to the grocery store and come back home to a day of home-cooked creative delicacies.
Make it a good time by asking family, friends or loved ones to help.
2. Arts and Crafts
Creativity doesn’t cost a cent. They’re plenty of ways that you can use your imagination and creativity to enjoy your spare time.
From creating watercolour paintings, to making boats, bracelets or sculptures, there are wide assortments of arts and crafts that you can do from home that are quite inexpensive.
3. Game or Movie Night
Make it a good night in by enjoying a round of games or movies.
Whether you’re an avid gamer or a sincere movie lover, video games and movies are a budget-friendly way to enjoy yourself at home.
4. Listen To or Make Music
Everyone loves music and it is a great way to enjoy yourself while on a budget.
Spend some time making a playlist of your favourite tunes, or even your own music and then have a dance party by yourself or with friends and family.
If you are vinyl lover, enjoy the beautiful artwork of the various album covers while you pick out your favourite albums for the turntable.
Some other ways to enjoy yourself cheaply inside include:
Visiting a library
Writing
Decorating
Visiting a record store
Playing with pets
Exercising
Visiting a museum
Bowling
Reading

Ways To Relax
Self-care is also a great part of enjoying yourself and you don’t have to go to some fancy expensive spa to do so. You can experience tranquillity and happiness in an assortment of budget-friendly ways.
From enjoying a homemade facial to learning how to meditate, it is possible to enjoy self-care, peace and relaxation without breaking the bank.
Some great ways to relax and release on a budget are:
1. Meditation
It costs nothing to enjoy the conscious awareness of your own mind and body.
Many people find meditation to be very soothing and rejuvenating – an excellent way to calm and reduce stress.
You can choose to participate in a low cost meditation class or you can even find free videos online that will teach you how to meditate.
Click here for basic meditation techniques that will help get you started.
2. Massage
Get rid of all your tensions, stresses and worries with a nice massage.
You might be thinking massages can be quite expensive and in some cases they can be; however, there are places that offer special discounts on massages.
In fact, you may be able to obtain discounted massage services through online discount providers such as Groupon, or by visiting a local colleges that offer discounted massages given by students.
You can also consider loving massage with a special someone.
3. Aromatherapy
Aaah…the smell of scented candles, incense or essential oils wafting through the air is a calming, soothing, relaxing way to enjoy yourself without spending a lot of money.
Scented candles, incense and essential oils can be purchased at relatively affordable prices online.
4. Spa Day
Pamper yourself from the comfort of your own home by creating your own special spa day.
Think of all of the spa treatments that you enjoy and create your own DIY spa treatments using natural ingredients from your local grocery store.
From sugar scrubs to scented Epsom salt soaks, you can create your own spa day with all the spa treatments you love at less than half the cost of a traditional spa.
Some other ways to wind down on a budget include:
Yoga
Soothing baths
Listening to relaxing music
Cuddling with pets or loved ones
Lighting candles
Reiki
Facials
Taking an early morning or evening stroll

Learning To Relax And Enjoy Life
So, whether you’re looking to enjoy yourself out and about, stay home and rest, or wind down with some peace and tranquility, there are ways that you can enjoy yourself without breaking the bank.
Ultimately, your free time is what you make of it. Don’t let money or the lack of it keep you from thoroughly enjoying your life. There are plenty of affordable ways that you can enjoy yourself on a budget.
Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realise they were the big things.
Robert Breault
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