Have You Forgotten How to Have Fun?
©2017 Kari Carlisle
How often do you do something just for the fun of it? I don’t mean spending hours on Facebook or playing online games, either. I mean pure, unadulterated fun like we had “back in the day.”
There is an epidemic of “connection” these days. Put down your cell phone for a day, and have some real fun. The first Saturday in October is International Frugal Fun Day (IFFD). Established by The Penny-Pinching Hedonist author, Shel Horowitz, in 1999, the day is devoted to having some fun on the cheap.
What is frugal for one person could be extravagant for another, so Horowitz put a spending limit on IFFD of $5.00 per person, with free being best. And of course, what is fun for one person may be mind-numbingly boring for another, so I’ve compiled a list of ideas in case your default fun typically requires a device.
As far as I’m concerned, it doesn’t matter who you’re with on IFFD (alone, partner, family, friends, dog), and it doesn’t matter if you want to have frugal fun on any of the other 364 days in the year, you should be able to find inspiration from this list. And you should not need to venture far from home if at all.Play on the swings, etc. at a school/park playgroundGo for a nature walk/hikeCatch a movie at the $1 theater, or check one out from the libraryGo out for ice creamFake karaoke – sing along to your favorite music (you can use a device if you need to search for the lyrics)Make cookiesPicnic at the park or in your backyard (don’t forget a Frisbee, kite, or hacky sack)Find a local free event to attend; even if it’s something you wouldn’t normally go to, check it outSmall, local museums are usually free or cheap; learn about your local historyGo to the craft supply store and pick out some supplies for something you can make at homePlay a board game; borrow one if you need toShop antique stores - $5 limit!Have a tea party (FYI, it’s not a real tea party unless you make little sandwich triangles with the crusts cut off)Make a care package for a soldier overseas; a search online for “care package for soldier” will yield several sites with instructions (this one may exceed the $5 per person limit since the soldier is the one getting the care package); fun with some feel good added on!Go to a high school sports event or playTake a bubble bath (with toys)Brainstorm Halloween costumes and hit the thrift store to find clothes and accessoriesGo camping (borrow equipment if you need to)Go to a pet supply store and look at all the fish and other critters; you may get lucky if the local rescue is doing an adoption day, and you can pet the dogs or catsHost a potluck party with BYOBIf you’re near Costco, walk the store and try all the samples (it may be enough for a free lunch!)Go for a bike rideBuild a campfire and make smores (be sure to build your fire in an appropriate spot)Dress up and find a beautiful backdrop to take pictures/selfiesSet up the lawn chairs, watch the sunset, drink in hand, and stay for the stars
I hope you found something on the list that sounds fun to you, and I really hope you DO something fun on IFFD and more often. Let me know what frugal fun you enjoy in the comments…
Click here to receive the Apocalypse Observer Newsletter in your inbox
www.readmota.com
To comment, scroll down and type in your comment. Under Comment As, you can select Anonymous or Name/URL (you don't need to enter a URL). Then hit Publish.
How often do you do something just for the fun of it? I don’t mean spending hours on Facebook or playing online games, either. I mean pure, unadulterated fun like we had “back in the day.”
There is an epidemic of “connection” these days. Put down your cell phone for a day, and have some real fun. The first Saturday in October is International Frugal Fun Day (IFFD). Established by The Penny-Pinching Hedonist author, Shel Horowitz, in 1999, the day is devoted to having some fun on the cheap.
What is frugal for one person could be extravagant for another, so Horowitz put a spending limit on IFFD of $5.00 per person, with free being best. And of course, what is fun for one person may be mind-numbingly boring for another, so I’ve compiled a list of ideas in case your default fun typically requires a device.
As far as I’m concerned, it doesn’t matter who you’re with on IFFD (alone, partner, family, friends, dog), and it doesn’t matter if you want to have frugal fun on any of the other 364 days in the year, you should be able to find inspiration from this list. And you should not need to venture far from home if at all.Play on the swings, etc. at a school/park playgroundGo for a nature walk/hikeCatch a movie at the $1 theater, or check one out from the libraryGo out for ice creamFake karaoke – sing along to your favorite music (you can use a device if you need to search for the lyrics)Make cookiesPicnic at the park or in your backyard (don’t forget a Frisbee, kite, or hacky sack)Find a local free event to attend; even if it’s something you wouldn’t normally go to, check it outSmall, local museums are usually free or cheap; learn about your local historyGo to the craft supply store and pick out some supplies for something you can make at homePlay a board game; borrow one if you need toShop antique stores - $5 limit!Have a tea party (FYI, it’s not a real tea party unless you make little sandwich triangles with the crusts cut off)Make a care package for a soldier overseas; a search online for “care package for soldier” will yield several sites with instructions (this one may exceed the $5 per person limit since the soldier is the one getting the care package); fun with some feel good added on!Go to a high school sports event or playTake a bubble bath (with toys)Brainstorm Halloween costumes and hit the thrift store to find clothes and accessoriesGo camping (borrow equipment if you need to)Go to a pet supply store and look at all the fish and other critters; you may get lucky if the local rescue is doing an adoption day, and you can pet the dogs or catsHost a potluck party with BYOBIf you’re near Costco, walk the store and try all the samples (it may be enough for a free lunch!)Go for a bike rideBuild a campfire and make smores (be sure to build your fire in an appropriate spot)Dress up and find a beautiful backdrop to take pictures/selfiesSet up the lawn chairs, watch the sunset, drink in hand, and stay for the stars
I hope you found something on the list that sounds fun to you, and I really hope you DO something fun on IFFD and more often. Let me know what frugal fun you enjoy in the comments…
Click here to receive the Apocalypse Observer Newsletter in your inbox
www.readmota.com
To comment, scroll down and type in your comment. Under Comment As, you can select Anonymous or Name/URL (you don't need to enter a URL). Then hit Publish.
No comments have been added yet.
