Sometimes money can be tight, causing people to cut back on their spending and limit some of their usual activities. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t still do fun things and still enjoy life while sticking to a budget. All you need to do is get creative and figure out what hobbies and activities don’t require money that you will enjoy, especially on the weekends when it can be harder to keep the wallets closed. Take a look at the list below for ideas that can be done either individually or with your family and friends.

1. TED Talks and podcasts are a big trend today and they can be inspiring. A simple search of your favorite topic, such as cooking, sports, etc. can lead to hours of listening and watching, while learning something new. TED talks and podcasts are great to listen to when cooking and cleaning.
2. YouTube also has many videos to inspire you and help you learn something. In addition, you can perfect your cooking skills or take part in a workout.
3. Host a game day or night. Pull out your beloved card and board games for a tournament. A no spend weekend is the perfect time to fill the hours.
4. Not much of a gamer? Host a movie night at home. Watch the classics or your cherished picks all weekend long.
5. Camp inside in your house or outside in your backyard. This idea is great for any month and can be filled with memories, such as building a fort for your tent indoors.
6. Take a daycation in your town and visit some local tourist attractions, such as parks, libraries, museums, or hike the local trails.
7. Take time to be outdoors. Go for a walk or jog, or relax with a picnic and a novel in your favorite spot.
8. Learn a new language through free apps and websites. Have you always wanted to learn to speak Spanish, Italian, or French? Now is the time. Apps, such as Duolingo, are free and easy to use.
9. Give a friend or family member a call or write them a letter. These days, many people are accustomed to sending a text or social media message to communicate with others. Try adding a more personalized touch to your message through a phone call or letter. Take it a step further and actually go visit the person.
10. Volunteer at your favorite charity or organization. There are numerous benefits to volunteering, including the happy feeling that comes with the task.
11. Clean and declutter your house. It doesn’t have to be spring to do a deep cleaning. Then, take some time and reorganize your newly cleaned spaces.
12. Turn on your creative side and complete DIY projects. You don’t have to recreate the Mona Lisa. Instead, grab items from around your house and let the ideas flow. Example items include newspapers, toilet paper rolls, old books, old jewelry, and cardboard.
13. A spin on DIY projects is scrap booking. Maybe you have a stack of photos laying around that you keep meaning to put into a scrap book. Plus, as you are creating the album, you’ll be able to take a trip down memory lane and relive all the experiences.
14. Have a dance party. Crank up your favorite tunes and dance your heart out with your loved ones or by yourself.
15. Read or write. There never seems to be enough time to read a book or write in a journal.

A no spend weekend can be hard to adjust to at first, but will get easier as time goes on. Not only are these activities self-care, they are also free and very enjoyable.