How to Spend a Week Without Spending Money on Things

Frugal living is not just a buzz word or a cool new trend that OCAAT readers love – it’s a way of life for many of us. I have previously written about getting free stuff.

One of the crucial initiation rites so to speak of a frugal lifestyle is committing to days where you do not spend any money. If you can successfully go one week without spending money, you know that you are in it for the long haul and this really matters when it comes to being frugal. To make it easy for you, we have a 7 day approach on how you can spend a free week:

Monday: Make your own meals with food you already have

The start of the week means that you need to think about how to keep your food spending down. Many of us are tempted to tuck into lunch at a restaurant or a café when we are on our lunch break. Keep all of your money in your pocket by making a healthy packed lunch from home with the ingredients and food that you currently have. The benefits of this approach are that you don’t spend any extra money buying lunch which builds up over time into bumper savings. Get up early to have breakfast at home so that you do not feel tempted to join the army of people at coffee shops such as Starbucks where a significant mark up is added onto simple breakfast items like cappuccino, brownies and tea. The good thing about making homemade meals with food you already have is you don’t waste any food; you actually end up saving food that you could have wasted which could have meant applying for quick loans.

Tuesday: Get a free haircut

Believe it or not, some hairdressers are happy to give free haircuts as long as you, the model in this case, will let them try a new style. The advantages for the hairdresser include they get to add new styles to their portfolio. This choice should only be done by people who are daring to try new hairstyles because there is no guarantee that you would like the hairstyle. If you have children and you want to save money on getting their hair cut, go to your hairdresser on the days they have free haircuts for children. Some hairdressers like this promotion because it gives them the chance to meet potential new customers.

Wednesday: Watch a free film

Have a look around your local cinema listings or go to independent film houses to see if there are any free films that are on. A general rule of free films is they tend to be art house films or they can be older films that might have a cult audience. Film festivals are a rich source of free films because they appeal to passionate fans of many genres.Our city conducts free movie every alternate Wednesdays in a public park.

Thursday: Attend a free workshop

Improve your professional standing without having to pay a hefty membership fee. This is easily done by going to free workshops and professional seminars. Free workshops are also an excellent way to network with people; no better feeling than knowing you are furthering your career without having to pay the price.

Friday: Go to a nightclub for free

Depending on where you live, it is possible to go on a night out with your friends without paying an entrance fee. The key to achieving this is looking for clubs and bars that have free entry before a specific time. If you can spend a night out at one venue, this is a good way of saving money on the exorbitant entry fees that many nightclubs and bars are starting to charge.

Saturday: Visit an art gallery

There are loads of ways of getting around paying the high admission prices into art galleries. Regardless whether you love Rembrandt or Van Gogh, indulge in your passion for art for free by looking at the specific days where there is free admission.

Sunday: Go for a walk

Despite the digital age that we live in, there are many stunning parks, lanes and lakes that are just waiting to be explored. The best thing about going for a walk in the outdoors is the freedom in going anywhere you want. Start easy by going for a walk in a park that is close to your home and take a camera with you so that you can document anything interesting that you see. It’s refreshing to go for a walk because it gives you time to collect your thoughts and the best thing is, it’s free! Just grab a few friends and end your frugal week without spending a penny!

A week without spending money seems difficult, however, it is a liberating experience that is just the tip of the iceberg in your quest for frugality.