Sometimes, when you are living on a single paycheck budget, you may feel like you have no budget for fun. Not true! Having fun while living on one paycheck simply requires a mix of creative thinking, a curious outlook and, possibly, a little advanced planning. Let’s explore some ways that you can have fun while living on one paycheck.
Ironically, when living on a single paycheck, one of the most important ingredients is a strict budget because, when you know where your money’s going and how much you have, you’re not stressed and that’s one of the keys to having fun. If all of your essential expenses are covered, take a little money from each paycheck and put it in a ‘fun money’ fund, if you will. This will make it easier for you to plan fun activities to do with your family or friends, as taking money out of each paycheck will give you a feeling of accomplishment and alleviate that feeling like your lack of money impedes your social life.
There are many fun activities you can do for nothing or next to nothing while living on one paycheck. Some people will spend their whole ‘fun money’ fund on one thing, such as a vacation, while others prefer to do a few fun things and spread the funds out. Having fun doesn’t have to cost a lot; however, you may need to re-discover or re-define fun. Spending time playing and picnicking with your family at a park is a great way to have fun for maybe the cost of the picnic food, while living on one paycheck, with the added benefit of exercise running around and playing with your family or friends. You can play on the equipment already at the park or take some of your own equipment such as balls or Frisbees. Playing outside also gives everyone a chance to converse and catch up without many interruptions.
If you, or your family, are movie buffs, look into matinees or the $1.50 theatre for cheaper movies in the theatre or wait until the movie comes out on DVD. Skipping the theatre entirely not only saves you the high price of admission but the price of treats at the theater. If you decide to wait until the movie comes out as a rental, host a movie night at your house and ask everyone invited to bring treats to share. Not only do you get to spend quality time with friends and family but you get to see the movie you want to see from the comfort of your own home.
If you’re a music lover, many cities hold free concerts in their city parks during the summer. Bring a lawn chair, a blanket and maybe dinner and your cost for the evening is your cost for dinner. Some cities also show free movies in the park. When attending these events you might also meet other people who are also trying of find ways to have fun on the cheap.
Another fun, free idea is a community game night. Get together with other families and share their favorite games and yours. Create a table for each game and join the fun while you get to know your neighbors. Along that same line, you can also join the local book club or a group whose interest you share or want to know more about.
Finding things that you enjoy for little or no cost might be a challenge at first but if you keep looking around for community events and try new activities, you’ll find something you like. Sometimes it’s just a matter of looking at fun from a new point of view.
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