9 Proven Ways to Enjoy a Weekend Without Spending Any Money

If you’ve read any of my writing, you likely know that, along with my wife, we operate a blog on the topic of frugal living. To us, frugality is not just about saving money. It’s a means of controlling your financial future, so that you can prioritize aspects of life that you find most meaningful.

From first-hand experience, I can confirm that living frugally doesn’t mean living a life of austerity. There are many benefits to this way of life. To name just a few, frugality has forced us to become more creative and resourceful, it has pushed us towards simpler pleasures, and it has encouraged us to spend more of our time doing interesting things, instead of shopping or spending money.

That last point is the one I want to focus on today. Whether you are simply looking for a cheaper weekend for the sake of saving money, or you want to go on an all-out spending fast— you’ll want to have some alternatives on hand so that you don’t get stuck thinking that more money is the only way to have fun.

There are plenty of ways to enjoy your free time without spending a dime, and I’ll list some of my favorite options below.

Go for a long, leisurely walk

Most of us drive practically everywhere we go. As a result, we don’t experience the pace of life that comes from walking. On a day when you don’t have to be anywhere fast, go for a long walk. This could be a walk all around your neighborhood, or just walking across town to a place you’ve never been.

Hike in a state park

If you’re physically able, hiking is one of the cheapest forms of entertainment you can find, and a great way to explore the beauty of God’s green earth. My wife and I love visiting state and national parks, but there are plenty of local parks that are worthwhile if you don’t want to drive far. Be sure to bring a map, water, sunscreen, and any other necessities for the trek.

Play a game with family or friends

Maybe you haven’t played a board game since you were young, or maybe you think of this as an activity that only families with children enjoy. But more and more games are being made with adults in mind, and they are much more fun to play than the classics you grew up with. To get started, I recommend Settlers of Catan, Splendor, and Ticket to Ride.

Invite a friend over for a meal

My favorite way to spend time with friends is sitting around a table eating and talking. If you buy all your food at the grocery store and make meals from scratch, this can be very affordable. Some cheaper, but still delicious, meal ideas to consider include a giant pot of chili, a tray of cheesy enchiladas, or a slow-cooked pork shoulder with plenty of sides.

Read a book you’ve been wanting to read

One point I don’t see mentioned often is that with frugal living, you enjoy the benefits of a library without having to pay for one. Libraries are supported by tax dollars, but they are free to all patrons. And by using a library, you are ensuring their existence for future generations. If you haven’t been to yours in a while, consider this a challenge to go and you find a book, magazine, or newspaper to enjoy for free this weekend.

Have a conversation with someone you care about

In our fast-paced world, and especially with the influence of social media, we’ve moved many of our conversations to the digital world. That’s a shame because the best conversations are the ones you have in person, when you can see someone’s face and hear their voice inflections. This weekend, pick a friend and ask if they’d like to talk for a few hours— in person or on the phone. You’ll be glad you did.

Volunteer at a local charity

There are plenty of needs in your local community. If you’re willing to look around, I bet you can find an organization that needs volunteers. If you’re outgoing, they could probably use you greeting people at the front desk or on the phone. If you’re into manual labor, I’m sure they can use help with set-up, tear down, or general maintenance. Whatever your talent or skill level, there’s a way you can contribute that is mutually beneficial and fun.

Visit a friend or family member who could use some company

One of the easiest pleasures in our lives is spending time with those we care about. One way to add even more meaning to this time is to intentionally spend that time with loved ones who need us the most. It could be a friend who is sick, or a family member who is caring for the needs of a loved one. While there, ask if there’s anything you can do to help them or make their day better.

Declutter and clean your house

Maybe this doesn’t sound like fun to you, but rather than simply trying to convince you— I’ll share what I’ve learned. There is a huge sense of accomplishment that comes from doing something as physically demanding as cleaning your house from top to bottom. If you can find a way to do this with a partner, it adds an element of socializing to the mix. And finally, you get to enjoy a nice tidy house for the rest of the weekend— one that you cleaned without spending any money.

As you can see, there are plenty of ways to enjoy time without spending money. The more you practice doing things for free, the better you’ll get at thinking of such ideas. I think you’ll find that these activities are not simply cheaper, but in many cases, more meaningful because they feel more connected to life’s foundational pleasures.