What can you do when your heart says yes, but your wallet says no?
We’ve all been there: excited to relax with some well-deserved fun after a long week of work, school or both. But let’s face it, most of the time “let’s do something fun!” is just a euphemism for “let’s spend some money!” And sometimes your bank account just won’t allow it. So here are five ways to have a good time on those weekends between paychecks.
1. Go to a museum
The Minneapolis Institute of Art has free admission and a vast collection of artwork and artifacts, old and new. The museum’s permanent collection includes pieces that are thousands of years old, and features art from six continents. It proves to be a fun AND fascinating way to spend your day.
Cost: $0
2. Bake a Pinterest inspired cake
All you need is a box of cake mix, frosting, cherries, food coloring and a plastic bag with a corner cut out as a makeshift piping bag, and voila! You will end up with a perfect, aesthetically pleasing, Pinterest worthy cake. OK, OK. It might not be perfect but it will certainly be tasty. And fun! (Pro tip: whip your store bought frosting with a hand mixer to get more bang for your buck.)
Cost:
Betty Crocker cake mix: $1.79
Betty Crocker frosting x2: $3.78
Market Pantry assorted food coloring: $3.69
Maraschino cherries: $2.49
Grand total: $11.75
3. Have a picnic
Something about eating lunch outside on a blanket just makes it taste better. You can have an Instagrammable picnic for under $20 easily with food from Trader Joe’s. Your menu: salad, French bread, marinated mozzarella balls, and, to wash it all down, bubbly rosé. TJ’s offers a variety of salad kits with dressing included for only $3.99. The French baguette pairs perfectly with the marinated mozzarella; you can dip your bread in the olive oil marinade, top it with the cheese, or both! And who doesn’t love rosé?
Cost:
French baguette: $1.99
Marinated mozzarella: $6.49
Salad kit (3.5 servings): $3.99
Brut Rosé French Sparkling Wine: $6.99
Grand total: $19.46
4. Try a free workout class
So many gyms have free trials/promotional “first class free” deals, take advantage! CycleBar, Orangetheory, and Pure Barre all offer one free class for first timers. Corepower Yoga offers a whole week of free classes for potential new members. Look up some fitness centers near you and you’ll be sure to find a deal.
Cost: $0
5. Throw a good old fashioned slumber party
I’m talking about a fort building, movie marathoning, truth or dare playing, classic slumber party! In order to really have fun with this you gotta commit to the bit. Invite your friends over, tell them to wear their best PJs, bring a sleeping bag, and then let your inner child run wild. Have each friend bring a snack of their choice for the group to share.
Cost:
Party size bag of Doritos: $5.99
Grand total: $5.99
