I know I'm not the only one out there trying to save some money and reel in the spending but dude, it sucks! I've never really rolled in the dough and been a big free spender (contrary to popular belief) but I'm about to make a large purchase and need to save, save, save so my usual habits of buying new clothes here and there, picking up the latest CD releases, and eating out when I want have all been cermoniously stopped. (The ceremony being my realization of how much stuff really does cost and that it actually adds up;)
It's really not that hard to save during the week. I ignore those pesky sale emails from GAP and Jcrew and pack my lunch each day while looking around for change to pay for my morning coffee (as opposed to just swiping the debit card). The weekends are when it gets tough and except for staying at home I've had a hard time getting out there while still saving money. The past few weekends I have stayed home more than usual both out of money concerns and scheduling problems but it's not a trend I want to continue. I don't believe that weekend nights out are the only time to meet new people (specifically guys although there are a few fellow bloggers I/we've been trying to catch up with) but I'm never going to meet someone sitting at home (especially since I took my profile off that online dating site.)
But where does one go to be around people her own age (plus or minus a few years) while keeping the night relatively cheap? I need assistance, my dear blogger friends...I need Lack Of Funds Nights Out ideas!
13 comments:
I'm in the exact same boat. It's so frustrating!! Hopefuly someone will have a few good ideas.
Well, I've had to reel it in ALOT this year. Here are a few things I did and am still doing to maintain a social life and still have fun and save.
1. Axe going to the mall. I have a very low threshold when it comes to shopping so to avoid temptation, I just axed it.
2. Have a game night. Do a search and you can find many lounges/cafes/clubs that play games on weekend night. The games are free, and usually you don't have to pay for anything.
3. In SF, they have a yahoogroup called Fun, Cheap SF that gives you tips, free tickets and ideas for stuff to do that's all free! Do a search for your city for free stuff, you will be surprised at what you find.
4. Join the linkup in your city. Mine is Bay area linkup at www.bayarealinkup.com, and it's a forum where linkminded people can plan events. Most of the parties, dinners and events are totally free and you meet lots of cool people as well.
5. Eat out less and cook more. You can cook a good meal at your place for about $1.50 yet if you go out to eat you end up spending about 20 bucks.
6. Ebay baby! Sell stuff that you don't use or don't need for some extra moolah (i sold books/games and made like $120) and if you absolutely must get something check it out on Ebay first to get uber cool deals.
7. Listen to music online to keep abreast of your latest hits at aol music or Yahoo music for Free. You can also d/l your fave jams from Limewire for free if you simply must have the song.
8. Recycle your clothes. Pack away shirts and stuff that you don't use for a few weeks/months and then 'relaunch' them as new threads. It will make you feel like you are wearing something new and your friends thinking you got something new.
9. Get on the guestlist via online event sites like www.eventvibe.com and you can pretty much get into parties and clubs for free provided that you enter early, like before 10pm.
10. Join the local library. You can borrow DVDs, CDs, books all for free or dirt cheap. Most libraries have online renewals and you can special order a book that you are dying to read and they will purchase it;) If it's a bestseller, you might have to wait a few weeks, but at least you will get to read it.
11. Leave your credit cards at home. Carry a small quantity of cash for incidentals (5-20 bucks) and that way you won't overspend whenever you go out.
Hope this helps:)
Bookstore is always fun. All it will cost you is a cup of coffee and lots of time! :)
lol, bookstore.
that's the good thing bout working in a remote area. i spend a lot less. but then again when i hit the town after work, i could come back with 2 pairs of shoes or something haha! i gotta cut back too 'coz i'm saving for a vacation...
I know the feeling. Too well. I've been saving my money to pay off dental loans and an upcoming trip to Europe.
Packing lunch is the worst...while everyone else is eating out and i'm eating my cold, crappy sandwhich. :0(
Wow, Vixen! Great ideas.
I'm probably no help. When weekends come money just flies out of my pockets. Brunches, movies, bars...whew!
Haha, I know the champagne WELL. I go for Andre's though and drink it on the street corner before going in. I'm so classy!
i so agree to this. so many times i've refused to go out 'cuz i'm BROKE. game night sounds like a good plan...
but as a victim to subway advertising, i've seen too many of these signs, maybe you should try meetup.com, who knows, there may be something there...i'm looking at the site myself right now...
Honestly, I have the same problem. Although, I've heard that Great Falls Park is a great place to meet hot men, so I'll be there this weekend. On the other hand, I'm not exactly an "outdoorsy" type of girl. But hey, it's at least worth a shot.
Jaysus, Vixen had a load of ideas! I like the idea of a games night - that's how I met my boyf! Apparently art galleries and bookstores are good for meeting people in the US. It's either that or you start knocking off people at work...which is what we do in the UK. Very cheap ;)
Unfortunately, work is out of the question. I definitely want to try out some of these ideas!
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