Five Ways to Have FUN That Don’t Break the Bank (from  $0 to $25) – with Sav’s Life Skills

Who says fun needs to break the bank?

My self-reminder is that fun needs to be prioritized just like you should prioritize work, study, and other commitments in your life. This was my self-reminder throughout high school, university, and now in my career in law. Throughout my years in high school and university, I needed to have fun on a budget. 

Sometimes having fun can feel like it comes with a price tag, like when you’re invited to another wedding out of town. Embracing activities that promote genuine joy does not have to mean breaking the bank every week. Still, I’ve struggled with the age-old question “What do I do for fun?”

The truth is, as cliché as it sounds, some of the best experiences in life are free! This comes with the practice of finding opportunity, creativity, and fulfillment where you are right now. If you are spending money to have fun, you don’t have to break the bank to do that. 

Whether you are looking for a way to unwind, get creative, connect with others, or simply bring more happiness to your daily routines, there are plenty of ways to invest in yourself. 

In this post, I am so excited to collaborate with Sav of Sav’s Life Skills (Sav’s Life Skills | Skills Coach for Women). Sav is from Indiana and supports neurodivergent women through virtual coaching. You can follow her on social media (Savannah (Sav) (@savvylifeskills) • Instagram photos and videos), including her YouTube channel (5-minute craft for the ADHD brain) where she shares more personal stories. She is an inspiration to me as she has been helping so many women, whether through her services as a coach, content, or resources. 

We have collaborated to find the FIVE MOST exciting ways to have fun for FREE (or for just a few bucks if you want to level up the experience). We promise that you will have more fun than you expect. Don’t believe it? Give one of these a try and let us know!

Let’s dive in. 

1. Paint Party (Near or Far) 

Tap into your inner artist with a painting session! Whether you’re hosting a virtual paint party with friends, or setting up a DIY art night at home, this activity is a great way to relax and get creative. 

Here’s how you can budget this: 

• $0 – Use leftover supplies or use digital painting apps. You can also find free online art classes, and occasionally local in-person classes. 
• $5 – Buy essential paint supplies. We recommend a couple of brushes + three of your favorite colors + black + white.
• $25 – Join a guided painting class or get a full canvas set. 

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RELATED: Beginner Guide to Hacking Your Happy Hormones

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2. Movement and Grounding (with an Accountability Buddy) 

Staying active doesn’t mean having an expensive gym membership. You can partner up with a friend for some movement and mindfulness, try out a YouTube workout video, take a nature walk, or explore free fitness classes in your area. 

Sav talks about the connection between movement and managing chronic pain, a common experience for neurodivergent women (https://youtu.be/bFw6fmO4NB4?si=sOmElxbEvB1KzPDt). She also provides other simple activities for body care if you want to start small or need motivation!

Here’s how you can budget this: 

• $0 – Follow YouTube workouts (Yoga with Adrienne is popular), go for walks (outside, the mall, local campuses, gardens), or meditate outdoors. 
• $5 – Some gyms have casual passes where you can attend a one-off class. 
• $25 – Attend a fitness class for a new experience. Many offer discounts on the first class to test it out!

3. Virtual Book Club or Podcast Club 

If you love reading or diving into podcasts, you could start or join a virtual book club (or podcast fan club) with friends, YouTube and Instagram are great places to explore. You can also find some online, such as on Google and Facebook. Discussing stories and ideas can be a great way to learn something new and connect with others. 

Budget options: 

• $0 – Listen to podcasts for free on Apple Podcasts/Google Play. You can also find podcast episodes on YouTube! You can also find free e-books by other creators (e.g. my book Small Steps for Progression is available for free!). 
• $5 – You can find books at thrift stores at a low price. 
• $25 – Most times, it costs less than $25 to get a subscription to platforms (e.g. Spotify, Scribd) that provide access to books and audiobooks (instead of paying $20 for each individual audiobook or book). 

If you need some book recommendations, you can check out Sav’s Life Skills’ favorite books for ADHD in Women and Autism, as well as my general self-growth book recommendations! 

4. Soul Searching Solo 

Spending time with yourself can just be just as much fun as your time having out with others. You can explore free networking events, try new hobbies, or attend interest-based gatherings (virtually or in-person). 

Budget options: 

• $0 – Find free local events on Eventbrite or Facebook. 
• $5 – Grab a journal for self-reflection. 
• $25 – Try a new class such as pottery or painting (like mentioned previously). You can find some good deals on Groupon for classes near your area. 

5. Fun for the Homebodies

Sometimes, the best fun happens right at home! Whether you’re into crafts, music, or cozy movie nights, there are plenty of ways to have fun without stepping outside. 

Ideas include: 

• Five-minute crafts – Craft with Sav  Sav’s life skills has a few (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbOOlMqjBZo  , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_C0o0VZPlbc  ) 
• Cooking/Baking – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrQtRKII7LI 
• Listen to music, play an instrument, or sing along to your favorite artist on YouTube 
• Movie night in
• Creative activities – puzzles, coloring book 
• Write a letter to yourself 

To Wrap Up 

Fun doesn’t have to come with a huge price tag! Whether you are someone who that likes to go out or prefers to stay at home, there is always something exciting to do. 

Again, thank you Sav from Sav’s Life Skills for doing this collaboration with me. She has helpful resources, and my personal favorite is the Creating Comfort page (https://www.savslifeskills.com/my-recommendations ) and the Find Momentum page on her website.

Don’t forget to make time for yourself today xo

P.S Here are some related blog posts to check out:

• Quick Guide of Self-Care Activities
• 100+ Solo Date Ideas to Try out
• 8 Type of Hobbies to Incorporate in Your Life

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