How to Spend Time with Friends and Family Without Racking Up Debt

Spending time with friends and family is important. Building strong social connections improves your mood and helps you enjoy life more. However, going on expensive trips and taking part in elaborate activities can be very expensive. Eating at restaurants, attending shows, going out of town, and many other social activities aren’t cheap and, over time, these costs add up. It can be very tough to stick to a budget when you’re going all out on social activities.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are some tips for spending time with your loved ones without breaking the bank.

Instead of spending money going out to dinner, why not cook a meal together instead? You’ll save money and have a great time. Look up some recipes, then get together to make and eat the meal. You don’t have to be an experienced chef to make a home-cooked meal. You can even have a potluck night where everybody brings a dish and you all enjoy each other’s creations. It’s a great way to have a fun night without putting too much financial burden on one another.

Even something simple, like a pizza-making party, can be a fun way to spend time together without breaking the bank. This is a great family activity, no matter how old your children may be.

When’s the last time you sat down and made something? Why not make some crafts with your loved ones? While children will certainly enjoy this activity, it doesn’t have to be confined to families with kids. Gather your friends together and have a painting party, for example. You can get paint and canvases for cheap at dollar stores and discount shops.

Instead of spending money, why not donate your time? Gather up some friends and volunteer at a local charity. Not only will this be a bonding experience, but it will also leave you feeling great. Giving back to your community is an excellent way to spend social time with your loved ones.

Instead of going out to the movies, have some friends over, stock up on snacks from the store, and have a movie marathon. You’ll still have a lot of fun and you won’t need to pay expensive theatre prices.

This idea works great for all ages. Kids love piling onto the couch with some popcorn and candy and watching their favourite flicks.

Almost everyone has a smartphone these days, so why not use yours to make some home movies? You can put together a scripted performance or just go with whatever comes to mind in the moment. This is a wonderful way to be creative with a group of friends or relatives and it doesn’t cost a thing

Not only can a game of touch football or softball in the park be great exercise, but it’s also an excellent way to have a lot of fun without spending a lot of money. You don’t even need to find a local league. Just grab a ball, a bat, or whatever else you need, and head outside!

Much like playing a sport can be a great way to enjoy yourself for cheap, so can heading to the trail or the track. Instead of catching up with friends over drinks or coffee, why not chat while you walk or hike? These activities can be excellent exercise and they don’t hurt your wallet either.

Instead of seeing a huge international music group, a professional sports team, or a big-budget play, look for local alternatives. Smaller bands, amateur teams, and community performances can still be very entertaining, and tickets come at a fraction of the price. Check out your local high schools, colleges, universities, and community centers for some ideas.

A lot of people want to save money, but they’re worried about keeping up appearances. However, sometimes, all it takes is for someone to make a suggestion. For instance, if you and your friends always go out for drinks on Friday night, try suggesting splitting a bottle of wine at someone’s home instead. There’s a good chance many of your friends are feeling the same way you are, and they’ll appreciate the opportunity to save some money.

If you are having difficulty with debt throughout the year, and those pressures are making it tough to resolve your debt problems, know there are solutions that can help you. The professionals at Farber are available to review your financial situation and recommend a customized resolution to help you become debt free. JUST CLICK ON THE FREE CONSULTATION BUTTON to set up a meeting today with one of our team members at any of our offices across Canada.