Free Things to Do Instead of Spending Money
120 Things to Do Instead of Spending Money
Image Source: Unsplash / freestocks
Thanks to student loans, car payments, rent, and a slew of other things, it's safe to say many of us are on a tight budget. The struggle is real, but just because you're strapped for cash in an ever-changing world doesn't mean you can't make the best of it. Whether you enjoy being outdoors or would rather kick back and catch up on some Netflix, there are plenty of ideas that are free and safe to do now and in the future. Not only will you stay on your target budget of zero dollars, but you'll also still have a guaranteed good time!
From taking advantage of picnics in the park to organizing your pantry or even baking some delicious cookies, we've got all of the best ideas for a low-key, spend-free weekend. Check out all the 100-plus activities we've come up with, ahead.
— Additional reporting by Haley Lyndes, Lauren Harano, and Zara Patel
1 Cook a new recipe with leftover ingredients you have.
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Maria del Rio
2 Reread a book you own.
Image Source: Pexels / Christina Morillo
3 Sign up for a free class.
Image Source: Unsplash / rimakruciene
4 Visit a local beach.
Image Source: Unsplash / mougrapher
5 Rearrange your furniture.
Image Source: Unsplash / kirillz
6 Organize your closet.
Image Source: Unsplash / anniespratt
7 Make a playlist on Spotify.
Image Source: Unsplash / juja_han
8 Have a movie marathon with close friends.
Image Source: Unsplash / freestocks
9 Swap clothing with your roommate.
Image Source: Unsplash / the_modern_life_mrs
10 Go swimming.
Image Source: Unsplash / photologic
11 Play some board games.
Image Source: Unsplash / thetechnomaid
12 Visit a local park or playground.
Image Source: Unsplash / anniespratt
13 Sunbathe.
Image Source: Unsplash / jesseschoff
14 Try a new hairstyle at home.
Image Source: Unsplash / element5digital
15 Watch reruns of your favorite TV show.
Image Source: Unsplash / jeshoots
16 Practice new makeup looks.
Image Source: Pexels / Retha Ferguson
17 Plant some flowers in your garden.
Image Source: Unsplash / b3njamin
18 Go sightseeing.
Image Source: Unsplash / gooner
19 Paint your nails.
Image Source: Getty / Guido Mieth
20 Enjoy a meal outside with friends.
Image Source: Unsplash / Mohau Mannathoko
21 Use YouTube videos for karaoke.
Image Source: Unsplash / christianw
22 Take your pet out for a walk.
Image Source: Pexels / Gustavo Fring
23 Go on a bike ride.
Image Source: Unsplash / ewitsoe
24 Paint or sketch something.
Image Source: Unsplash / tim_arterbury
25 Photograph local sights.
Image Source: Unsplash / aaronburden
26 Visit a museum on a free day or check out an online exhibit.
Image Source: Unsplash / kxvn_lx
27 Write in your journal.
Image Source: Unsplash / hannaholinger
28 Watch the sunset.
Image Source: Unsplash / tinchofranco
29 Go hiking.
Image Source: Unsplash / theforestbirds
30 Make a scrapbook.
Image Source: Unsplash / esteejanssens
31 Take a nap.
Image Source: Getty
32 Practice yoga.
Image Source: Unsplash / jareddrice
33 Make your own ice cream in a bag with ingredients around the house.
Image Source: Unsplash / nehadeshmukh
34 Go on a walking tour.
Image Source: Getty / Alexander Spatari
35 Write a song.
Image Source: Unsplash / neonbrand
36 Practice playing an instrument.
Image Source: Unsplash / jefflssantos
37 Wash your car at home.
Image Source: Getty
38 Volunteer for a local organization.
Image Source: Getty / M_a_y_a
39 Have a park get-together.
Image Source: Pexels / Helena Lopes
40 Organize the pantry.
Image Source: Unsplash / ninjason
41 Catch up on laundry.
Image Source: Unsplash / melipoole
42 Mow the lawn.
Image Source: Unsplash / danielwatsondesign
43 Paint a pot.
Image Source: Unsplash / mikepetrucci
44 Do some arts and crafts.
Image Source: Unsplash / rawpixel
45 Start a DIY project.
Image Source: Unsplash / lavievagabonde
46 Exercise.
Image Source: Unsplash / areksan
47 Put on a garage sale or sell old belongings online.
Image Source: Getty / Weekend Images Inc.
48 Bake some cookies or other sweet treats from scratch.
Image Source: Unsplash / foodess
49 Put together a list of your favorite recipes.
Image Source: Getty / Ruth Hornby Photography
50 Write a bucket list.
Image Source: Unsplash / glenncarstenspeters
51 Shoot some hoops.
Image Source: Unsplash / frederikloewer
52 Get rid of clutter.
Image Source: Unsplash / srosinger3997
53 Go for a run around the neighborhood.
Image Source: Unsplash / der_roman
54 Dance.
Image Source: Unsplash / blakecheekk
55 Build a bookshelf.
Image Source: Unsplash / takeshi2
56 Do spa treatments at home.
Image Source: Getty / Sally Anscombe
57 Repair holes in clothing.
Image Source: Getty / DejanKolar
58 Take a bath.
Image Source: Pexels / cottonbro
59 Make a quilt from old T-shirts.
Image Source: Getty
60 Clean up your email.
Image Source: Unsplash / rawpixel
61 Organize old photos into an album.
Image Source: Pexels / kaboompics
62 Window-shop.
Image Source: Pexels / Andrea Piacquadio
63 Write a letter.
Image Source: Unsplash / dhudson_creative
64 Have a picnic.
Image Source: Unsplash / brittanyg
65 Build a fort.
Image Source: Getty / nattrass
66 Start planning your next getaway.
Image Source: Unsplash / bajkorenata
67 Listen to a podcast.
Image Source: Getty / Michael H
68 Knit.
Image Source: Unsplash / kellysikkema
69 Finish a puzzle.
Image Source: Getty / Jessica Nelson
70 Play card games.
Image Source: Pexels / Steshka Willems
71 Listen to new music online.
Image Source: Unsplash / eumesmofontenele
72 Organize the pots and pans in your kitchen.
Image Source: Unsplash / scott_umstattd
73 Gaze at the stars.
Image Source: Unsplash / radpozniakov
74 Play video games.
Image Source: Unsplash / glenncarstenspeters
75 Watch the sunrise.
Image Source: Unsplash / picsbydress
76 Write a poem or short story.
Image Source: Unsplash / fotografierende
77 Work on your to-do list.
Image Source: Unsplash / stilclassics
78 Get creative and make a costume with old clothing items.
Image Source: Pexels / victor
79 Have a bonfire.
Image Source: Unsplash / heftiba
80 Update your résumé.
Image Source: Unsplash / christinhumephoto
81 Make your own jewelry with old beads, buttons, or chains.
Image Source: Unsplash / kylefrederick10
82 Try a new hobby.
Image Source: Unsplash / rawpixel
83 Download free apps.
Image Source: Unsplash / mr_fresh
84 Practice origami.
Image Source: Unsplash / rudakov_g
85 Work on handmade gifts.
Image Source: Unsplash / rawpixel
86 Make a card.
Image Source: Unsplash / waros
87 Replace old lightbulbs.
Image Source: Unsplash / fachymarin
88 Put your favorite photos in a frame.
Image Source: Unsplash / lindyjbaker
89 Tie-dye a T-shirt.
Image Source: Unsplash / joshrobbie
90 Throw a backyard potluck.
Image Source: Unsplash / Spencer Davis
91 Arrange flowers in a vase.
Image Source: Unsplash / namquach
92 Watch home movies.
Image Source: Unsplash / rawpixel
93 Update your social media profiles.
Image Source: Unsplash / georgiadelotz
94 Organize your makeup.
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone
95 Organize your bulletin board.
Image Source: Unsplash / startaeteam
96 Make a new board on Pinterest.
Image Source: Unsplash / ybook
97 Have a sleepover with your significant other or close friend.
Image Source: Unsplash / heftiba
98 Explore the downtown area of your city.
Image Source: Unsplash / anj_mehta
99 Organize old receipts.
Image Source: Pexels / picjumbo
100 Browse the farmers market.
Image Source: Unsplash / anniespratt
101 Go fishing at a local lake, pond, or pier.
Image Source: Unsplash / timcollinsphoto
102 Play volleyball.
Image Source: Unsplash / jacobrepko
103 Pick fruit that you grew at home.
Image Source: Unsplash / raulpetri
104 Upcycle your old jeans into shorts.
Image Source: Unsplash / bartmynameisbart
105 Make s'mores.
Image Source: Unsplash / gavinize
106 Fly a kite.
Image Source: Unsplash / john_visualz
107 Dress up.
Image Source: Unsplash / kvarapaeva
108 Make a collage of old photographs or magazine cutouts.
Image Source: Unsplash / sarandywestfall_photo
109 Repurpose old clothing into a pillow, drapes, or a blanket.
Image Source: Unsplash / designecologist
110 Video chat with a friend.
Image Source: Unsplash / rawpixel
111 Practice a new language.
Image Source: Unsplash / danielcgold
112 Play frisbee.
Image Source: Unsplash / danielcgold
113 Go for a drive.
Image Source: Unsplash / maxwellridgeway
114 Daydream.
Image Source: Unsplash / johnfo
115 Clean out your garage.
Image Source: Unsplash / albertobobbera
116 Listen to the radio.
Image Source: Unsplash / kaysha
117 Go camping in your backyard.
Image Source: Unsplash / timmossholder
118 Go sledding.
Image Source: Unsplash / maddybakes
119 Play tennis.
Image Source: Unsplash / johnfo
120 Make your own pizza.
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Sheila Gim
Pin It!
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / THEM TOO
