31 Things to Do That Don’t Cost a Damn Thing

What to do . . . what to do. Are you looking for things to do but are sick of spending money? Love new experiences but don’t want to break the bank?

With online one-click purchases and being exposed to thousands of advertisements a day, it’s no wonder we often forget the simple, free pleasures of life!

It’s a conundrum that affects us all, and can be especially challenging when you are doing your best to stick within your budget.

“Life brings simple pleasure to us every day. it is up to us to make them wonderful memories.” -Cathy Allen

But don’t you worry, because we have you covered with a robust list full of educational, entertaining, healthy, and fun things you can do instead of spending money.

 
 

Here Are 31 Things to Do Instead of Spending Money

Not everything in life is free, but there are plenty of things to do that don’t cost a damn thing. Below is a list of 31 ideas to get you started. Let your priceless adventures begin!

 

1. Take a walk or hike in nature

Studies show that spending time outdoors can have a significant positive impact on your overall wellbeing.

Not only can being outside help decrease anxiety, but it can also help improve your memory and cognitive skills!

 

2. Start a blog

Pick a topic that interests you and share your knowledge and skills with others. You never know what it could lead to! If you’re interested in starting a yoga blog specifically, this article tells you everything you need to get started.

 

3. Practice yoga

Beyond the yoga studio, you can do yoga anywhere! Whether you have a personal practice at home that you can take outdoors (see #1) or prefer practicing yoga online, there are plenty of free options out there.

YouAligned offers a wide variety of free yoga classes on YouTube and you can also sign up for a 7-day free trial of our premium unlimited online yoga platform.

 

4. Visit your local library

Your local library is a treasure trove of information and activities. Many libraries offer digital media for free! Stop in to see what is going on in your local community.

 

5. Read a book

Now take that library book, sit back, relax, and ENJOY! Need a reading list for inspiration? Check out 10 Books Every Yogi Needs to Read.

 

6. Take a bath

Press pause and soak in a relaxing bath to revitalize your mind, body, and spirit. Try one of these 5 DIY Bath Soak Recipes for the ultimate bath experience.

 

“Don’t wait for opportunity. Create it.” -George Bernard Shaw

 

7. Meet new people

Sites like Meetup.com are a great place to expand your social circle, meet new people, and learn new skills. Create a free profile and start searching for meet-ups in your area today!

 

8. Start a gratitude journal

Gratitude is the mother of all qualities and among it’s many benefits can boost your mood, improve your self-esteem, and enhance your relationships along with your worldview.

Grab a pen and notebook and make it a habit to write down at least 5 things you are grateful for every day.

 

9. Take a rejuvenating nap

Give your body a chance to rest and repair itself by taking a nap. Find a cozy couch, hammock, or bed to get a few moments of shut eye. Treat yourself!

 

10. Listen to a podcast

You can learn so much and become inspired by listening to podcasts. Search for your favorite topics to discover podcasts you will fall in love with.

Don’t know where to start? Check out these 6 Spiritual Podcasts to Inspire Personal Growth.

 

11. Play outside

Get outdoors! Breathe in that fresh air! Soak up the sun! Grab some sports equipment or simply step outside to play. According to a study from the University of Essex, just 5 minutes of exercise outdoors has the power to elevate your mood and self-esteem.

 

“The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams.” -Oprah Winfrey

 

12. Learn a foreign language

Still regret not paying attention in Spanish class? Good news! There are many language apps that are totally free. Sign up for a free language learning app like DuoLingo and start learning a new language.

 

13. Call your friends and family

Catch up and reconnect with your family and friends, especially those that you don’t see very often. Whether it’s a video or audio call, take some time to call your loved ones. It’s free, and it’s time well spent.

 

14. Volunteer

Give back, earn those karma points, and help your community by volunteering your time, energy, or resources. A quick internet search or a visit to your local community center will give you plenty of ways to get involved.

 

15. Learn a new skill

Put YouTube to good use by searching for videos to learn something you have been curious about! There’s a tutorial video for just about everything.

 

16. Get a side hustle

This idea isn’t just free – it can also make you money! Share your talents and skills and earn some extra cash by using free online platforms such as Upwork.com or Fiverr.com.

 

17. Build your brain power

Improve your memory and thinking skills by downloading a free brain training app like Lumosity. You can use short, free exercises on these apps to start strengthening your brain. Now there’s a good use of your time!

 

“The happiest people don’t have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything they have.” -Anonymous

 

18. Have an at-home spa day

Put on some relaxing music, make a DIY bath recipe and soak in the tub, do an all-natural face treatment, meditate, and show your body some love.

Want to go all out and create an at-home retreat? Here’s how!

 

19. Sit and people watch

Grab your favorite coffee or herbal tea and find a sunny bench to sit and watch people go by. Catch the good vibes from the people who are smiling, laughing, and enjoying their day!

 

20. Get creative in the kitchen

Challenge yourself to use only what you have in your cabinets and fridge to make a tasty meal (and maybe even meal prep for the week). For ideas and inspiration, use a free recipe generator like Supercook.

Want more healthy recipe inspo? YouAligned has an entire Healthy Recipe Column you can check out here.

 

21. Get organized and tidy up

Embrace a mindset of minimalism by going through one area of your house at a time and clearing the clutter. Take each item and ask yourself, “Am I using this item? Does it bring me joy?” Take the items that you don’t need or no longer use and . . . (see #22).

Ready for a full declutter sesh? Get Rid of These 25 Things to Declutter Your Life.

 

22. Have a garage sale

Make a few extra bucks selling the things that are no longer serving a purpose in your life. It’s a great feeling to declutter and also know that what you no longer need is being put to good use.

 

23. Movie night!

Invite your friends over to watch some classic movies and reminisce on your childhood favorites.

 

“Respond to every call that excites your spirit.” -Rumi

 

24. Go on a treasure hunt

Have you heard about the awesome trend known as Geocaching? It’s the world’s largest treasure hunt and absolutely free to do. You can sign up for an account at Geocaching.com and get to exploring your area.

 

25. Write a letter

Ahh the long-lost art of writing letters! Write a letter to a grandparent or someone you know would really enjoying receiving it. Or, write your future self a letter and save it somewhere special to open at a later date.

 

26. Create art

Gather materials you have around the house and get creative! You can create a collage or a series of sketches. No supplies laying around? Take photos with your smartphone and use your phone’s photo editing tools or a free app to create one-of-a-kind, artistic photos.

 

27. BREATHE

Breath is the powerful life force that keeps your body alive and your mind and spirit connected. Breathing exercises can help you relax, connect with the moment, and improve your concentration.

Cleanse and energize your body with this Ujjayi Pranayama Tutorial.

 

28. Move your body

It’s no secret that exercise is a vital part of your overall health and wellbeing. Mix up your workout routine by trying a new form of exercise.

Search the internet to find and try out a new technique you feel drawn to, whether it’s high intensity interval training, dance, or martial arts.

 

29. Tackle your to-do’s

Take a moment to sit down and purge your brain of all of the things that have been swimming around on your mental “To-Do” list. Write them down and then tackle your top 3 right now!

 

30. Interview your parents or loved ones

Everyone has stories, wisdom, and thoughts to share. Learn more about your parents and loved ones by writing a list of questions and asking them about their childhood, life experiences, and dreams.

 

“Jobs fill your pockets but adventures fill your soul.” – Jaime Lyn Beatty

 

31. Travel the world . . . online

You can have an international experience without leaving your home! Watch a foreign film, research a destination you’ve always wanted to travel to, or connect with a traveler passing through your area by joining a network such as Couchsurfing.com or Workaway.info.

 
 

There Are So Many Fun Things to Do That Don’t Cost a Dime!

There you have it!

A whole month’s worth of free activities that will keep you inspired, interested, and exploring different areas of your life.

What is your favorite free activity? We want to hear from you! Please comment and share your thoughts and ideas below!

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