How to Have Family Fun While Living on a Budget

For most families, a tight budget doesn't have to get in the way of having a great time. Lots of activities are inexpensive or free, and sometimes getting there is half the fun.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Movie Tickets
• Museum Tickets
• Basketballs
• Tennis Balls
• Tennis Racquets
• Board Games
• Children's Bicycles
• Basketballs
• zoo tickets

1. Determine how much you can spend on entertainment each month.

2. Make a list of free or inexpensive activities in your area.

3. Ask family members which activities they prefer.

4. Make a list of the preferred activities and keep it handy.

5. Refer to the list when you're bored or looking for entertainment ideas, or consider some of the following options.

6. Visit a park with playgrounds, open fields, basketball courts and tennis courts.

7. Go for a walk or a hike, go in-line skating or ride a bicycle.

8. Visit a beach or a lake.

9. Use coupons for miniature golf, bowling, restaurants or video rentals.

10. Take advantage of matinee rates for movies.

11. Attend plays at local theaters, which are much less expensive than more large-scale productions.

12. Play board games with friends.

13. Throw a potluck party.

14. Visit zoos and museums.

15. Attend outdoor summer concerts at local parks.

16. Put aside money each month for a vacation that you and your family can look forward to.

Tips & Warnings

• Have a family member pull out the names of activities from a box. Then the event will be a surprise to everyone, and the drama will add a little more spice to your life.
• If you have kids, tell them they can each bring along one friend during an inexpensive outing. This makes the event more appealing than going alone, and sometimes easier for parents.
• Avoid window shopping, or strolling through malls or expensive shops, as this will tempt you to spend money or make you feel bad because you can't.

[talia203]

on 3/15/2009 I have a blog about healthy

[STUFFellaneous]

on 3/11/2009 Network with friends. Keep each other updated on free/cheap activities that they stumble upon. Nice article!

[arianacherry99]

on 1/12/2009 Great ideas.... Families still need to know how to enjoy life without money getting in the way. --Sometimes it just takes some creativity, imagination, and of course, plenty of love :) --Money shouldn't get in the way of spending time with your family.

[robertsloan2]

on 8/14/2008 Check local zoos, museums and activities for whether there's a free day or discount day. Many zoos and museums have them, and knowing when it is can really keep zoo and museum tickets from overwhelming budget -- especially when it's a large family.

on 11/22/2005 This works great for kids' clothing items. As mentioned in another tip, you can shop for kids' clothing at the "end of season" sales and buy them slightly bigger for next year. This can save you a lot of money. I once bought a winter coat for my daughter for $7 at the end of winter, and she fit into it perfectly the next year.