Apple Podcasts
Google Podcasts
Spotify
StitcherLet’s not diminish the greatest hits! We know that when boredom hits, it’s easy to spend just to feel something, but free, low-cost, and guilt-free fun can keep that from happening. In this episode Jen and Jill are packed with all the ways you can live life to the fullest without having to spend a lot!
If anything, just please go to the library.
Sponsors:
- @weeklymoneymove on Instagram. This month we started a new series where every week we are sharing a new Money Move you can do to organize or optimize your money. Whether you’re just getting started, or have been doing this thing for years, or financially independent, there’s gonna be something for you. We’re sharing it every Monday on Instagram, or if you want a written form sign up on The Friendletter!
Check out some relevant episodes
Fun for Free
Jen and Jill touched on everything from TV, gaming, outdoor activities, sports, concerts, festivals, theater, reading, staycations, fitness, crafts, and more. But when it comes to free entertainment, they’re heavily leaning to one resource: the library. Jill shares all the surprising things you can access, beyond just books, that your local library may have waiting for you.
And if you love watching TV, Pluto TV, Tubi, Crackle, and Peacock all offer solid shows and movies completely free. Jen and Jill also recommend checking your city’s website, local businesses, Facebook, and Eventbrite for free concerts, festivals, and outdoor movie nights. And don’t forget! You can always borrow gear or games from friends instead of buying.
Low-Cost Entertainment Hits
- Gaming: Play free games like Fortnite or Apex, and watch for free trials on Steam or Game Pass. For paid games, buy used from GameStop, eBay, or Facebook Marketplace.
- Walking, biking or hiking: Enjoy public trails, join low-cost fitness groups, buy second hand gear from thrift stores or online marketplaces, and use affordable local bike-share programs.
- Camping: Camp at state or national parks for cheaper rates, or find free spots on FreeCampsites.net. Check Airbnb for budget-friendly options and go off-season to save more!
- Live Sports: Catch local college or minor league games, they’re way cheaper and sometimes FREE!
- Concerts, festivals, and theater performances: Skip the big concerts and check out local shows or university theater for affordable entertainment.
- Running, yoga, working out: Try free fitness classes at parks or community centers, or use apps like Nike Training Club or Yoga with Adriene for workouts at home.
- Crafts and hobbies: Check out secondhand craft supply stores or attend free crafting workshops at local libraries and community centers.
Deal with the Fun!
Don’t let the universe take away your fun! Set a price tracker on StubHub to catch deals when prices drop. Jen suggests checking Ticketmaster for last-minute ticket releases. You can also find discounted event tickets on Groupon, CityPASS, or through rush deals. Grab bundles for attractions, split memberships with friends, and use travel rewards points to make your trips budget-friendly!
Guilt-Free Entertainment
For entertainment that comes with values, give yourself 30 days before starting a new hobby or commitment and make sure it gets you more of what you value like family, friends, faith, fulfilling work. Don’t stop yourself from spending the extra money to buy higher quality used items that are more durable and can be repaired. And most importantly, do what you love—because you are worth it!
What’s your personal guilt-free entertainment?
Jill loves comedy shows and beach days, while Jen’s is RunDisney events and track practice!
Bill of The Week
Thank you Sabrina for sharing your bill about using everything you already have on hand. Anything CAN clean a toilet 🙂
Thanks so Much for Listening!
Thanks so much for listening. We love love love reading your kind reviews and we especially loved this one from:
✰✰✰✰✰
I have been reading and listening to numerous personal finance books and podcasts over the past few years as I’ve been deep in my own personal finance journey of debt payoff among other things. One podcast I stumbled upon during that time was the Frugal Friends podcast where Jen and Jill tackle many finance topics in a fun and engaging way. When I heard that they were going to be publishing a book on values-based spending, I was intrigued. I was delighted to find that their book offers something different from what many other books in the personal finance space offer these days, a real look into what value and values can mean beyond simple numbers and figures. I found this holistic approach helpful because it addresses underlying issues that can keep personal finance challenges coming back, even if you try to implement whatever new system the other books are offering. The book offers many practical tools in addition to its invitation to seek greater self-knowledge. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a new approach to personal finance.
If you want to check out our monthly challenge community head to frugalfriendspodcast.com/club to see what challenge we have coming up next.
Keep leaving us reviews on iTunes or Stitcher, and sending the screenshot to reviews@frugalfriendspodcast.com. And don’t forget to share your favorite quote from the episode by using the hashtag #FrugalFriendsNote. 😉
