After a hectic week, we welcome the weekend to rejuvenate in preparation for the coming week. With escalating costs of entertainment, we are faced with depleting cash which leaves us with just enough to get by before the next pay arrives. This situation forces us to put a stop to visits to the concert, cinema, clubs and game arcades. When this happens, would the weekends ahead be gloomy and unexciting?
If you think outside the box, you can still have a good time by participating in many forms of entertainment that cost you next to nothing. Be on the lookout for advertisements on banners and posters around your area as well as those online.
Inexpensive promotional tickets
If you love concerts, movies and other cultural events, look out for the start of ticket sales when promotional prices are made available. You can find discounts up to 30% off the original ticket price way before the commencement of the event. Check out Tix4nix (http://www.tix4nix.com.au/) for discounted tickets all across Australia.
Home dining
Instead of dining out, invite friends over for a pot-luck lunch or dinner in which everyone brings a simple dish to share. This is a money-saving yet fun way to try different home-made dishes. Friends can take turns to host the in-house lunch or dinner.
Movie watching at home
Rent DVDs for the weekend for the whole family. If you have kids, ensure that you select movies that cater to the whole family. ‘Home Alone’, ‘Aliens in the Attic’ or ‘101 Dalmatians’ are some examples of all-time family favourites. Preparing pop corns and providing cans of soda for the family to enjoy creates an enjoyable movie atmosphere. After all, renting DVDs are a lot cheaper than purchasing tickets at the cinema.
Picnic in the park
If the weather is favourable, take the family out for a picnic at a nearby park. Pack some easy-to-prepare sandwiches, salad, muesli bars and fruit for the family to enjoy. Inject some fun by organising games like boomerang or volleyball. Being amidst the tranquillity of nature is definitely invigorating for the body, mind and soul.
Nights in
Spending the night clubbing away can be pricey. Instead, have a night in at your place and ask each guest to bring his or her favourite snacks and drinks. This way, you’d be able to keep in touch with your mates while at the same time limit your budget. Play your favourite songs on the hi-fi to recreate the atmosphere at the club.
Watch sports
Visit your local cricket training grounds and chances are you will see amateur teams training. This is a good way to watch sports for free. Bring your favourite drink and snacks and head off to the nearest training grounds for some sports entertainment.
Home projects
Spend the weekends indoors by occupying yourself in room redecoration, Adobe Photoshop or digital scrapbooking. Home projects will divert your attention on other forms of entertainment like movie watching or window-shopping and you’ll end up saving much more staying home.
Enjoy nature
Take advantage of what nature has to offer for free. Visit the beaches or the nearest national park for a short hike to enjoy a breath-taking panorama of the surroundings. You’ll be amazed by the trails you’d never know existed and be engulfed by the therapeutic effects of nature.
House auctions
Scope out house auctions around your area on a Saturday and head off for one within close proximity. Some real estate agents conduct open houses from which you can gather ideas for home decoration. House actions can be entertaining depending on the personality of the auctioneers. While not suitable for kids, such visits can be informative and entertaining for adults who are interested in spending their past-times in scoping out the real estate market.
Cultural entertainment
If you enjoy classical music, visit ABC for free classical events. Entry is free at ABC’s premises in Ultimo and tickets are not required, but you must arrive 15 minutes before the start of the performance. Also, check out open air entertainment in your area through word-of-mouth or posters on display.
When it comes to entertainment, you don’t have to splurge to have a good time. Depending on your interests, there are many forms of activities to cater to everyone. Be on a constant look-out for places that you can visit and events that you can participate in on the weekends. Occupying yourself in an activity that diverts your attention from work will do wonders to your well-being. After all, you need to revitalise your mind, body and soul to prepare yourself for the upcoming hectic work week.
