weekend

7 Ways to Beat the Sunday Blues

Kentin Waits — Fri, 14 Jul 2017 08:01:05 +0000

Before I launched my own small business, I suffered from an acute case of the Sunday blues. A low hum of anxiety about the coming week made every Sunday bittersweet — and made my weekends seem exceptionally brief. Friday night and Saturday felt like the only time I could truly unwind and recharge. If you're in the same spot, it's time to add a new feel to your Sundays. It's time to reclaim your whole weekend.

1. Prepare on Friday

Before leaving work each Friday, take care of your Monday morning self. What can you do with the last hour of the workday to give yourself a head start next week? What task is most likely to needle away at you all weekend long? With a shorter list of Monday morning to-dos, you'll be less likely to suffer from Sunday blues.

2. Create a fun Sunday night ritual

Wanna make Monday feel miles away? Create new routines. Every Sunday night, lose yourself in a classic movie, host a low-key potluck dinner with a few close friends, or play moonlight miniature golf with your significant other. It's simple psychology: The more fun you're having, the less you're thinking about Monday. (See also: 8 Ways to Make Your Weekend Feel Longer)

3. Indulge yourself on Monday

Ease into your week with a Monday treat. Take an early morning yoga class, schedule breakfast out with a friend, or work from home the first two hours of your day. Little indulgences like these can take the bite out of Mondays. (See also: 12 Frugal Skills You Must Have to Survive Mondays)

4. Nix the Monday morning meeting

If you have any control over the schedule where you work, do everyone a favor and kill the Monday morning meeting. Frankly, no one's head is really in the game before 11:00 a.m. on Mondays, anyway. Let the first two hours of each new work week be about finding the nearest coffee pot and catching up on emails.

5. Avoid after-work obligations

Make Monday an extension of Sunday by avoiding any after-work obligations. Just knowing your Monday evening is free of meetings, appointments, or late-night projects can help minimize Sunday-night stress.

6. Plan a mid-week break

Weeks don't seem as long when we have something to look to forward to. Plan a fun or relaxing mid-week event. A massage, a date night, an intense game of racquetball — whatever you choose, make sure it's something that's easy and doesn't come with hidden stressors (traffic, parking hassles, or obligations immediately afterward).

7. Strategically schedule PTO

Who says you have to take a single two-week-long vacation every year? Instead, sprinkle days off across the calendar. Give yourself a three-day weekend every month and avoid Mondays altogether. If you work in the public sector and accumulate comp time, take it on Mondays and revel in few more stress-free Sundays.

In the end, overcoming the Sunday blues is all about making more conscious choices. Bend your schedule to your will. Beat Mondays into submission. Game your brain so it feels like you have more downtime. Whatever you do, defend every precious hour of your hard-won weekend!

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This article is from Kentin Waits of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Best Money Tips: Why You Should Never Shop On the Weekend

Amy Lu — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 08:30:18 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found articles on why you should never shop on the weekend, beauty product testing panels where you can get free cosmetics, and ways to make cash right now.

8 Ways to Make Your Weekend Feel Longer

Kentin Waits — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 08:00:08 +0000

What's not to love about weekends? The stresses of work fade away and life seems almost limitless. In fact, the only bad thing about weekends is their duration. Forty-eight hours isn't nearly enough time to decompress, recharge, and prepare for the coming workweek.

So, how do we make those two precious days feel longer? Turns out, the trick is to try new things. As David Eagleman writes in his book, The Brain: The Story of You, pursuing novel activities provides our brains with fresh data and "stretches" our perception of time. In contrast, doing the same old things (like binge-watching Game of Thrones) doesn't supply our noggins with new input and makes our weekends seem fast and forgettable. So on Saturday morning, resolve to break out of your routine and embrace the unfamiliar. Here are eight ideas to get your started.

1. Rise and shine

Expand your weekend by expanding your day. Wake up earlier than usual — perhaps even earlier than you do during the week — knock out a few household chores, and treat the dog to an extra long walk. By the time most folks are dragging themselves out of bed, you'll be energized and ready for a new adventure. (See also: 9 Benefits of Being a Morning Person)

2. Try a different mode of transportation

No matter where the weekend takes you, get there in a new way. Choose a slower pace by biking or walking to your destination. Make the journey part of the experience. Stop for coffee along the way, wander through a used bookstore, or explore a local farmers market. For longer trips, engage with fellow travelers and avoid parking hassles by taking public transportation.

3. Coordinate an escape room event with friends

Escape rooms are themed adventure games that require participants to solve a series of puzzles or riddles in order to "escape" from a room within a set period of time. To be successful, everyone has to work together, follow clues, and strategize. Enlist a group of friends and build a fun evening around this adrenaline-filled experience at your nearest escape room venue.

4. Browse yard sales and estate sales

Besides phenomenal bargains, yard sales and estate sales offer buyers a chance to hear the story behind each item they select. It's an interactive experience that just can't be matched in any other way. If you've never whiled away a Saturday wandering block-wide yard sales or strolling through a house where literally everything you see is for sale, give it a try. You'll be hooked.

5. Get out of town

Shake up your routine with a spontaneous weekend getaway. Pack the essentials, grab a friend or two, and see what other parts of your state have to offer. Many bus and train lines offer daylong excursions to nearby areas of interest. Bring a book and let someone else drive for a change.

6. Host a game night

When was the last time you devoted an entire evening to just having fun with friends and family? Hosting an informal game night puts people face-to-face again, gets them talking, and promotes something we all need a bit more of — unbridled silliness. If weather permits, try lawn games like ladder golf, cornhole, or badminton. If you're stuck inside, Jenga, charades, and Pictionary are classics that everyone loves. (See also: How to Host a Great Game Night)

7. Go screen-free

Digital devices have a way of keeping us tethered to work, wrapped up in social drama, and consumed with mindless media. Oh, and in the process, they suck hours from our day. Encourage new thinking and new experiences by making at least part of your weekend completely screen-free. (See also: 10 Important Reasons You Need to Cut Back on Screen Time)

8. Volunteer

Not only does volunteering make a difference in the lives of others, it helps us learn new skills and deepens our connection to the community. Consider donating your time and talent to a local animal shelter, youth organization, or food pantry. Just a few hours every weekend can change your whole perspective.

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This article is from Kentin Waits of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Flashback Friday: 143 Fun and Frugal Ways to Spend Your Weekend

Chrissa Hardy — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 10:00:10 +0000

It's almost the weekend and you have no plans. That can be exciting, or also a little scary. Because when weekend plans aren't mapped out ahead of time, it's easy to default to the pricier activities like shopping — or to just skip it and stay home (again).

So instead of leaving the fate of your savings hanging in the balance, try one of these fun and frugal ways to spend your weekend. And walk into work on Monday fully relaxed and not totally broke.

19 Fun, Cheap Projects to Try This Weekend — Why spend all of your cash on a crafty item you can just make yourself? Enter the beautiful world of DIY and give these fun projects a try.

Make Your Escape With These 14 Affordable Weekend Getaways — A last-minute weekend getaway to Paris would be a blast, sure, but have you explored all of your local and regional nooks and crannies yet? Because with any of these affordable weekend getaway ideas, you'll feel like a tourist without spending money like one.

The 12 Best Weekend Activities for Introverts — Introverts don't need much in terms of outside entertainment, and they would prefer a 48-hour period of minimal social interactions. So if you're in the mood to hibernate and relax like a pro, here you go.

18 Awesome Things You Can Do This Weekend for Under $10 — It doesn't take much these days to spend $10. I mean, one bottle of pressed juice can cost more than that, in some places. So these cheap weekend plans are especially inspiring, and also a ton of fun!

Pick Up One of These Frugal Hobbies This Weekend — If you haven't given origami or geocaching a try, you are seriously missing out. Along with these other 11 frugal hobbies, your future weekends will be budget-friendly and extremely fulfilling.

20 Cheap Fun Things to Do With Kids This Weekend — Keeping the kids busy without spending much money can seem like an impossible magic trick. But quality time with the kiddos shouldn't cost a thing, and it doesn't have to with these 20 activities.

47 Cheap, Fun Things to Do This Weekend — Do not underestimate the enjoyment you'll get from watching a sunset or baking a pie. They're simple ways to spend your time, but aren't simple things actually the best things?

What are your plans for the weekend? Share with us!

This article is from Chrissa Hardy of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

40+ Cheap or Free Ways to Make the Most of the Weekend

POPSUGAR Smart Living — Fri, 15 May 2015 17:00:12 +0000

The weekend is the perfect time to catch up on things you're behind on, get started on tasks you've been putting off, and recharge your body and mind. To make the most of your two-day break, why not start planning for the upcoming week to take the edge off of those Monday morning blues? Here are some ideas for how to be productive over the weekend, and all of them are super cheap or even free!

1. Go grocery shopping.

2. Try out new recipes, and plan lunch for the week.

3. Get all of your laundry done.

4. Get rid of clutter that's been getting in your way.

5. Watch an inspirational movie that will get you pumped for new challenges.

6. Organize your kitchen so everything is easy to find when you're in a rush.

7. Check out a new book from the library.

8. Research quicker or cheaper routes for your commute.

9. Pick out what you plan to wear on Monday — or for the whole week.

10. DIY a gift for an upcoming bridal shower or birthday so you don't have to go shopping after work.

11. Wake up early.

12. Get caught up on all of the major news.

13. Sleep, so you'll be well-rested when Monday rolls around.

14. Clean out your inbox to make room for more emails.

15. Try upcycling items that may be useful on your commute or at work.

16. Meditate or practice yoga.

17. Avoid overdoing it if you go out at night.

18. Catch up with friends you don't get to see during the week.

19. Give your house a deep clean so you don't have to worry about it after work the next week.

20. Start a motivational book that inspires or challenges you.

21. Get in some of the workouts you skipped over the past week.

22. Practice new hair and makeup tricks so you don't waste time in the morning before work.

23. Pay your bills.

24. Make a to-do list for the upcoming week, month, or even year!

25. Network and connect with other professionals in your area.

26. Detox from everything going on with your job.

27. Spend quality time with your significant other.

28. Sell some of your old things so that you have extra spending money for the week.

29. Polish your jewelry with DIY cleaner.

30. Schedule or cancel any appointments.

31. Call your friends or family that you've been meaning to catch up with.

32. Update and refresh your résumé.

33. Search and apply for jobs.

34. Download useful organizational apps.

35. Do something you feel passionate about, like gardening, painting, or volunteering.

36. File your paid bills and legal documents.

37. Recharge your body and mind.

38. Update your finances.

39. Make a great playlist for your work week.

40. Take out the garbage and recycling.

41. Paint your nails and toe nails.

42. Shop for any home supplies you might need during the week, like toilet paper, dish soap, or shampoo.

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This article is from POPSUGAR Smart Living of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Best Money Tips: Ideas to Make Money on the Weekend

Ashley Jacobs — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 11:00:27 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found some fantastic articles on ideas to make money on the weekend, tactics to avoid wasting food, and money-saving tax tips for parents.

How to Have a Perfect No-Spend Weekend!

Anna Newell Jones — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 11:00:31 +0000

We all want to be to make getting out of debt a bigger priority in our lives, but what do you do if you’re not quite ready to make the full commitment (especially around the holidays) or if you’re not quite sure you’ll be able to handle it?

The perfect solution is a No-Spend Weekend! You’ll reap the benefits of cutting-back without the time commitment. After you get your feet wet with a No-Spend Weekend you just might be ready to try it for a year! (See also: How to do a Spending Fast in 16 (Easy!) Steps)

1. Remember: Potlucks Are Your Friend!

There are a ton of different potluck options. Get creative and try breakfast, dessert, or appetizer potlucks. Recently I went to a pumpkin potluck, and everyone brought something around the pumpkin theme. It was a very clever idea! When everyone brings something the burden is lifted from one person, and you just might get to try some new foods!

2. Clear Out the Clutter

Go through everything in the closets, in the basement, under the beds, in the dressers.

3. Volunteer

Put a deposit in your karma bank, and help a person or organization in need.

4. Tap Into Your Library or Community for Free Events

Every city has free events; pick up a local paper and look online for listings.

5. Nap

Relax! A no-spend weekend is the perfect time to take that nap you keep dreaming about.

6. Wash All Your Linens

Nothing is better than clean sheets!

7. Have a Sleepover

Channel your childhood, grab your sleeping bags, and stay up late telling ghost stories.

8. Sign Up for a Free Week at a Gym

Get out of a work-out rut quite like switching up your gym — even if it is just for a week (or a weekend)!

9. Try Out New Hairstyles

A whole new look for you could be as simple as parting your hair on the opposite side, slicking your hair back, conquering that fishtail braid, or simply pulling your hair up just a slightly higher ponytail.

What are your favorite no-spend activities, and have you tried a no-spend weekend?

This article is from Anna Newell Jones of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

15 Ways to Have a Frugal Friday

Mikey Rox — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 10:36:09 +0000

When you shout out TGIF, does your wallet feel the same way?

It’s easy to spend money on Fridays — it’s the end of the week, so you want to treat yourself, and sometimes it's payday. But by being conscious of the amount of money you’re spending on food and recreation at the end of the workweek and replacing them with low- or no-cost alternatives, you can save a bundle. To get you in the ideal mindset to have a frugal Friday, here are 15 easy ways you can cut back. (See also: 25 Frugal Changes You Can Make Today)

1. Skip the Starbucks

If your favorite barista has your regular waiting for you as soon as you walk in the door, you’re spending way too much money on joe. Skip the coffee shop this Friday, make a pot of coffee or tea at home, and bring it to work in a large thermos to help get you through the morning.

2. Walk, Bike, or Carpool to Work

Give your car a rest and walk or bike to work if your office is within a reasonable distance. If you’re too far away to walk or bike, ask a coworker if he or she can pick you up. The latter may be a good way to strike up a conversation about establishing a routine carpool that will help everyone involved save money on gas and maintenance costs.

3. Pack Your Lunch

Bring your lunch to work so you can avoid the pricey, probably not-very-healthy meal you’d pick up or order otherwise.

4. Rely on Natural Light

When you go into a room, what’s the first thing you do? Turn on the lights, right? Of course, and we all do it. But before you turn on the lights, decide whether or not there’s enough natural light in the room (you’ll need to open the blinds or curtains) for you to work. If there is, keep the lights off to help save energy and money. Who knows — this one-time practice might become a habit when you realize that natural light is sufficient for a lot of situations.

5. Use Your Coupons

I love my daily deal coupons, and I’m sure you do, too. Pick out one or two in your queue to use on a Friday to save money on lunch (if you didn’t pack one) and an activity if you plan to go out later.

6. Watch an Outdoor Movie

This is a summertime-only way to save, but I couldn’t leave it off the list since I enjoy it so much. If you live in or near a decent-size city, chances are it’s home to an outdoor movie series on Friday nights. A quick search on the Internet will let you know show times and titles. Pack a picnic with a bottle of wine, bring a blanket, and sit back and be entertained for the low, low fee of nothing.

7. See a Local Band

Pick up your area’s events guide or calendar and plan to catch a free show performed by a local act.

8. Play Video Games

My console doesn’t get much use — I forget it’s there sometimes — but video games are a great way to spend a no-cost night at home while having a good time with your partner or friends.

9. Go Thrift Shopping

If it’s imperative that you engage in a bit of retail therapy — like it often is for me — head for the thrift store instead of the mall. You’ll find quirkier cooler things at the thrift store and you won’t spend nearly as much on it.

10. Attend a Free Class

Your nearby community center, church, or other area establishment likely offers free classes. Check the online calendar and choose one to do on a Friday night.

11. Rent a DVD From the Library

Instead of running out to a Redbox or renting a movie On Demand, stop by the library on your way home from work to browse the DVD section and check out a movie or two to watch on a Friday night.

12. Go to the Gym

You pay a pretty penny for your monthly gym membership, so you might as well use it. I know it’s hard to workout on a Friday, but you’ll feel much better heading into the weekend if you do.

13. Visit a Free Museum

How often do you get out to soak up the free culture in your area? If you don’t have any plans this Friday night, maybe it’s time you visited one the free museums near you.

14. Have Leftovers for Dinner

I know, this isn’t very exciting, but think of the money you’ll save. It doesn’t have to be leftovers straight from the fridge, either. Perhaps you can think of a way to incorporate the leftovers into a new dish that you can get excited about.

15. Split Dinner Costs With a Friend

If leftovers aren’t an option, invite a friend over for a delivery dinner. You two can split the pizza — which will be better for your wallet and your waistline.

Do you try to save money on Fridays? How do you make Fridays frugal? Let me know in the comments below

This article is from Mikey Rox of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

How to Throw a Fabulous (and Frugal!) Dinner Party

Janey Osterlind — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 11:24:48 +0000

I’m excited to announce that we are fast approaching one of my favorite times of year. No, not Thanksgiving, or the holiday season, or even the New Year. No, it’s none of those things — it’s Dinner Party Season! I love dinner parties because they provide a fabulous excuse to dress up, decorate, and catch up. I love that they’re different from the standard weekend schedule, which generally involves small gatherings or loud bars. I also love that they give me a reason to not hibernate during the cold winter months. With all these reasons to love dinner parties, what’s to stop you from throwing one every weekend? Oh, right — feeding all those people can get expensive. Don’t let that ruin your fun, though! Instead, try these tricks for throwing your very own fabulous-yet-frugal dinner party. (See also: Frugal Cocktail Party Ideas)

Themes

People love theme parties because they add to the feeling that this is not just an everyday occasion. They also allow your party to take on aesthetically appealing flair without having to spend a lot of dough (unless, of course, your theme is opulence...maybe you should avoid that one). If you don’t have a specific theme already in mind, try picking one based on the party’s main dish. Twice-baked potatoes might suggest a harvest or fall theme, for example, while pulled pork tacos or chicken fajitas would go nicely with a Mexican theme. Notice that those main dishes are ones that fit squarely within a frugal budget, which leads me to my next section...

Main Dishes

In order to get the most bang for your buck when serving a big group, choose a main dish that can be made inexpensively. If you know, for example, that broiler chickens are steeply discounted at least once a month, pick one or two up to make a great rosemary roast chicken. Or go for a main dish with a protein that’s not meat. Try something like the twice-baked potatoes mentioned above. Of course, you probably don’t want to feed your guests ramen noodles in the name of frugality, although ramen noodles do have their place. Spend money where it counts by adding one or two upgraded ingredients to your main course, like gruyere cheese for your twice-baked potatoes or a béchamel sauce (white, milk-based sauce) for a pasta dish.

Appetizers

When planning dinner party appetizers, a few simple rules will take you a long way: stick with your theme, keep it simple, and, like with your main dish, throw in some luxury. Sticking with a chosen theme will keep your appetizers from being all over the board and will save you time by narrowing down possibilities right off the bat. Keep the appetizers you do choose simple, in terms of number served, number of ingredients per appetizer, and how you choose to serve the appetizers. The caterer’s rule of thumb is that, for a dinner party of 8-10 guests, three appetizer options are appropriate, with about 10-12 bite-size portions per person. Even though you’re keeping it simple and using as few ingredients as possible per appetizer, add some extravagance to your starters by using a few more expensive ingredients sparingly. For example, this is a great place to use seafood, which is generally a more expensive protein.

Drinks

To keep you dinner party more on the frugal side, consider making it BYOB. Like potluck dinners, BYOB dinners work because they satisfy a guest’s desire to contribute while satisfying your need to be economical. If you don’t want to ask guests to bring their own drinks, consider serving one signature drink (like red wine sangria for a tapas party or buttered apple cider rum for a holiday party). This is always less expensive than offering a full bar. Or, if you’re a real wine-lover like myself, head on over to your local Trader Joe’s for a great, cheap wine pairing. I once bought an entire case of completely respectable and drinkable white wine for less than $60 for a party. If you’re not lucky enough to live close to a Trader Joe’s, or you live in a state that doesn’t sell liquor in grocery stores (I’m talking to you, Pennsylvania), try finding a general type of wine to complement your main dish at Real Simple’s wine pairing guide, then do some online research to find inexpensive yet enjoyable labels of that variety.

Invites

Save money on invites by foregoing the old-fashioned mailed kind in favor of electronic ones. You could create a Facebook Event, or try one of the many free websites like Punchbowl, Smilebox, or Evite. Of course, if you’re having an impromptu dinner party, word-of-mouth and phone calls may be all you need.

Presentation

Even water can look fancy with sliced fruit or a few other ingredients in it. Don’t forget the old rule that we eat with our eyes first. To that end, consider how to present each course in a creative way (bonus points if you can tie the presentation into your theme as in, for example, serving a Chinese dish in cardboard take-out boxes). Other examples include making ice cubes infused with fruit or herbs, serving appetizers or desserts in shot glasses, dishing up a soup course in a bread bowl or giant mug, and adding garnishes where necessary. But wait, aren’t these extra serving paraphernalia going to cost me, you ask? Why, so glad you asked! This brings me to my next point...

Using What You’ve Got

Don’t buy new serving dishes; use things you already have around the house to serve up food in creative new ways. For example, I have some martini glasses that have yet to be used (I love martinis; I just don’t drink them at home). I could put those to work as adorable appetizer vessels, or as innovative serving containers for, say, chocolate mousse. My big glass hurricane, once it’s washed out, would be a great way to serve a dessert trifle or, alternatively, it could be filled with just about anything to make a centerpiece to match the party’s theme.

Getting the Group Involved

Of course, the most frugal (yet still fun) way to throw a dinner party is to go potluck. The upside to this one is that people generally feel compelled to bring something to a party anyway — this just formalizes the process. Also, the meal is not only cheaper for the host; it’s also usually less expensive for each guest to bring a dish than to make dinner for themselves at home. I would suggest sticking with a theme for your potluck, so you don’t end up with, say, a seaweed salad appetizer and a lasagna entrée (although I love both seaweed salad and lasagna, I think it’s a little incongruous to mix the two in one sitting). I would also assign people specific courses (appetizer, salad, sides) so you don’t end up with a dinner entirely composed of shrimp cocktail appetizers.

Progressive dinner parties are a variation on potlucks; however, not only does each guest provide a dish, but they also provide the venue — their own home. At a progressive dinner party, each guest agrees to provide one stage of the meal (appetizer, main course, dessert) and to play host for their particular course. One of the major benefits of a progressive dinner party is, of course, that the cost of providing one course of a meal is a lot less than providing the entire meal. It’s also nice to have a change of scenery, too, and progressive dinner parties spread clean-up duties over a number of households. Of course, a progressive dinner party works best when guests live relatively close to one another.

Games

Throwing a frugal, fabulous dinner party entails more than food and drink. Keep your guests entertained with some games, too. I’m not suggesting you pull out the old Twister mat (although you can if you’re so inclined), but games are a great way to bond with old friends and get to know new ones too. Games are also easily had for free; if you don’t have one of the classics, chances are, one of your guests will. To get an idea of which games are especially suited for dinner parties, check out this list of the top dinner party games, or try my personal favorite, Mexican Train dominoes (yes, my friends think I’m 80 years old for loving this game, but I promise you, they love playing it).

Have ideas that aren’t included here? Share them in the comments!

This article is from Janey Osterlind of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

47 Cheap, Fun Things to Do This Weekend

Jason Topp — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 10:36:16 +0000

Ever have a conversation that goes like this...?

"What do you want to do this weekend?"

*Shoulder shrug*

"I dunno, whatta you wanna do?"

*Shoulder shrug and sigh*

"I dunno; there's nothing to ever do around here."

I've had conversations like that many times in the past, but not anymore. I'm learning to appreciate the little things in life and enjoy living in the moment more. Too often when we think about "fun" things, we think of the expensive options like taking in a ballgame, going on vacation, or going to a concert. (See also: Best Travel Reward Cards)

Here's a list to help free you from boredom without emptying your wallet this weekend.

1. Go to the Park

You can take your family or go with a friend. Swing on the swings like when you were a kid.

2. Watch the Sunset

Find a great spot in your community to catch the sunset. We have a lake by our house that offers some great views!

3. Pack a Picnic Lunch

Throw a picnic lunch together and find a shady spot to enjoy the day with your loved ones.

4. Play Board Games

Bring out the old favorites like Monopoly or Scrabble, or find new board games to play. (See also: Board Games That Make You Think)

5. Play Card Games

Invite a few friends over and have a card night.

6. Do a Road Rally With Friends

Get some friends together and go on a mobile scavenger hunt. The first one back with all things on the list wins! Losers have to buy dessert.

7. Go on a Digital Scavenger Hunt

Make it a digital scavenger hunt. Think of some creative, hilarious pictures you could take with people in the community.

8. Throw a B.Y.O.E. Party

This stands of Bring Your Own Everything. Guests are encouraged to bring food and drinks to share. Or, check this post out for more frugal party ideas.

9. Have a Bonfire or Campfire in Your Backyard

Make s'mores and play campfire games.

10. Get Ice Cream

Hit up your local ice cream shop and indulge in your favorite dish! Our local Dairy Queen is located right on the lake, which ties in perfect with #2!

(See also: The Best Ice Cream Makers)

11. Make a Romantic Dinner

Plan a romantic, candlelight dinner for your spouse or loved one. Romance need not be expensive! (See also: Romance on a Dime)

12. Grill Something New

Try a new grilling recipe. Recently I tried chicken breast stuffed with cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, basil, and tomatoes! Mmmm!

13. Go to the Museum or Zoo

Many times a local museum will have free or discount days. Zoos are fairly inexpensive if you pack your own lunch and avoid the unnecessary extras.

14. Scan Your Old Photographs

Take the weekend to go through your old photos and scan them into a digital file. You can even create digital scrapbooks! (See also: Save Memories With Cloud Computing)

15. Pretend You're a Tourist in Your Community

Most folks rarely visit their own city's tourist attractions. Take a weekend be a tourist in your own town.

16. Organize a Neighborhood Cleanup

Get friends and neighbors together to go and clean up a city block. Here are six steps to organizing your own neighborhood cleanup.

17. Go to the Farmers Market

Communities will usually have farmers markets on the weekends where you can get locally grown produce. The food is fresh and delicious!

18. Pick Strawberries or Other Fruit

Find a "U-Pick" spot to gather some fresh strawberries, blueberries, or other fruit and then...

19. Bake a Pie

Use the freshly picked fruit to bake a homemade pie!

20. Volunteer at a Soup Kitchen or Homeless Shelter

Organizations like these are always looking for volunteers. This will be one of the most rewarding things you could do this weekend and can possibly make a difference on your resume! (See also: Translating Volunteer Experiences to Workplace Credentials)

21. Invite Your Neighbors Over

With today's busy pace, it seems harder to get to know our neighbors. Invite them over for dinner or dessert and make an effort to know more about them.

22. Go Fishing

Grab the poles, find a pond, and cast those lines!

23. Go to the Beach

Hit the sandy shores for a little rest and relaxation. Just don't forget to protect your skin! (See also: Ways to Protect Your Skin in the Summer)

24. Go to the Library

There are many benefits your local library has to offer besides just books. You can rent movies, page through magazines, or surf the net.

25. Host a Classic Movie Marathon

Invite friends over for a movie marathon featuring all the classics you remember from when you were growing up. Or, host a money movie marathon!

26. Rearrange the Furniture in Your House

My wife and I did this last weekend. I love the new look and feel of our living room now! Rearranging furniture doesn't cost anything and adds a new flair to your place.

27. Write Out Your Bucket List and Pick One to Do

Brainstorm ideas for all the things you want to do in life, and pick one to do this weekend.

28. Put Together a Jigsaw Puzzle

When is the last time you put together a puzzle? Find one you like and get to it.

29. Volunteer to Babysit for Someone Who "Needs a Break"

I know many parents who would love for someone to offer a chance to take a break from the busyness of life. Many single parents hardly ever get a chance to get out and unwind.

30. Clean Out Your Closet and Donate to a Thrift Store

Go through your closets and declutter. Find items you can donate to your local Goodwill or another thrift shop.

31. Watch for Shooting Stars

Go on a star-gazing adventure. Grab a blanket and head to a park to lay and watch the stars. Here's a meteor shower calendar to help.

32. Go on a Bike Ride

Bike to a location you've never been to before. Or, bring your bike to a town or city you're unfamiliar with and create your own bike tour. Just be safe on your bike! (See also: Bicycle Safety in the City)

33. Take a Free Online Class

There are plenty of free online classes you could take to improve your skills in a certain area. Try your hand at investment classes if that interests you!

34. Write Out Your Life Plan

This one will take some thought but will be well worth it. Here's a great resource from Michael Hyatt for helping you think through your life plan.

35. Set Three New Goals for Yourself

Related to the life plan is setting three new goals you'd like to accomplish in the new six to twelve months...and write them down!

36. Find a Community Play to Attend

Many local communities offer inexpensive theater productions.

37. Help Someone in Need

Lend a helping hand to a neighbor, co-worker, or friend.

38. Buy Food for the Homeless and Listen to Their Stories

It's not always wise to give money to a homeless person, but you can buy food. Listen to their stories, and if possible, direct them to an organization that can help.

39. Go Bowling

Get some friends together and have a blast at the lanes!

40. Visit Garage Sales and Look for Deals

Take a friend or two, grab breakfast, and then hit the local garage sales to scan for deals.

41. Tour the Local Fire or Police Station and Thank Them for Their Service

A simple gesture can really mean a lot to the men and women who serve us on a daily basis!

42. Visit a Local Nursing Home and Engage With the Residents

Many elderly folks have great tales to tell. Listen to their stories and see what you can learn from them.

43. Plant a Garden

You can make a garden box or even an herb garden if you don't have much room. (See also: Small Space Garden Ideas)

44. Go Dancing

Grab a few friends, put those dancing shoes on, and hit the local club.

45. Walk Through the Craft Store and Start an Art Project

Take your spouse or loved one to a craft store and each purchase a few crafts for a creative project. Or start a pine cone project!

46. Host a "Minute to Win It" Party

Invite a few friends over and challenge each other with some creative games based on the hit TV show.

47. Write a Letter to a Family Member You Haven't Talked to in a While

When is the last time you sat down and wrote a letter? There's something magical and nostalgic about the written word on paper. Send a letter to someone you haven't talked to in a while and tell them how much you love them.

Hopefully these ideas are enough to get you started on a fun, cheap, and rewarding weekend!

What cheap, fun things are you planning to do this weekend?

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This article is from Jason Topp of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

An Unplugged Weekend: 7 Tips To Make It Happen

Julie Rains — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 22:19:10 +0000

Link:

http://www.openforum.com/idea-hub/topics/lifestyle/article/an-unplugged-weekend-...

I’ll admit that I have a plugged-in problem. My weakness is working on the weekend in anticipation of a hectic schedule for the upcoming week. As the mom of two teenagers, I have weekdays with lots of interruptions and weeknights full of activities, so weekends offer hours to catch up on projects.

Still, I enjoy time unplugged occasionally and know it's impotant to keep grounded. Here are a few tricks I've learned to help me get away.

Define what unplugged means to you.

“Unplugged” means off-the-digital-grid to me. Your definition may be more restrictive (as in no electricity or indoor plumbing) or less (no tweeting or status updates but still tethered to your mobile device).

Whatever your thoughts on connectivity, decide what activities to stop, such as:

Checking email;
Social media networking;
Researching online;
Messaging;
Responding to telephone calls.

Decide how you’ll spend your un-tethered time.

Being unplugged, sadly, has become unnatural for me. So, I have to schedule something that takes me out of the digital loop. Most of my off-the-grid weekends revolve around outdoor adventures, hiking, canoeing, or trail riding in places with no or spotty cell phone coverage.

Stepping away from your smart phone may be easy for you, but I’m guessing that for most people, changing habits is hard. For your first unplugged weekend, develop a slate of activities so that you won’t revert to posting status updates or responding to email inquiries. Eventually, you’ll have a new mindset and stay more in touch with your family and friends than professional connections.

Set expectations for your availability.

Being available to handle just one problem is a mistake. Last year, I informed a client that I could not help with a project over an offline weekend (planned and anticipated months in advance), only to receive multiple emails asking for help, anyway. Even a short response sends the wrong signal.

You too may have discovered that replying too-quickly to digital queries can backfire. Customers, employees, and vendors come to expect immediate gratification; they do not plan appropriately, thinking that you will be available to help if necessary. An email or phone call unanswered within a few hours sends them into a panic. If you’ve consistently been “on” during the weekend, stop responding.

To show responsiveness without being chained to work, do not engage over the weekend, but give a prompt answer early in the week, preferably on Monday.

Decide what to do about loose ends.

Knowing when to tie up loose ends before the weekend and when to let go temporarily of pending projects has been a dilemma for me. In the past, I have debated about whether to prompt customers for the information needed to finish a project by Friday or set aside the assignment for the next week. My approach has been to avoid these situations by either 1) establishing standard turnaround times for weekdays, holidays, and weekends; or 2) alerting customers that they need to provide me with information before a designated time if they need a project delivered by a certain deadline.

You know your customers. Decide upfront how to handle unfinished business to keep their satisfaction.

Create plans to handle emergencies.

As a writer, I don’t deal with work-related emergencies but realize that many businesses will need protocols to address weekend crises.

Define potential scenarios that need immediate action, such as workplace accidents or facility break-ins. Then detail the steps that your employees need to take in order to react appropriately. This approach will likely involve contacting you for certain problems but having to be available during unplugged weekends should be rare.

Stop feeling anxious.

Being disconnected can cause anxiety for me, just as constant connection can be agitating.

Certainly, a pitfall of disengaging all of Saturday and Sunday is that Monday mornings may be unusually hectic. It seems easier to deal with problems – throughout the weekend – as they occur. There may be some weekends that monitoring ecommerce orders, checking emails for client responses, etc. is necessary. Knowing that everything is running smoothly while you're away is calming, especially during your busy season.

But having to work most weekends shouldn’t mean that you have to work every weekend. Pick your times carefully to avoid worrying about what types of chaos you may encounter on Monday.

Enjoy.

Having unplugged weekends can make you more productive during the week. The break from the physical, mental, and emotional effort of work can give you a fresh perspective on business problems. The distance from digital devices can free your mind from drudgery and open possibilities for developing and refining strategies that will set your business apart.

But you don’t have to be productive at all. Just relax and enjoy being unplugged.

This article is from Julie Rains of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

weekend

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1. Prepare on Friday

2. Create a fun Sunday night ritual

3. Indulge yourself on Monday

4. Nix the Monday morning meeting

5. Avoid after-work obligations

6. Plan a mid-week break

7. Strategically schedule PTO

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2. Try a different mode of transportation

3. Coordinate an escape room event with friends

4. Browse yard sales and estate sales

5. Get out of town

6. Host a game night

7. Go screen-free

8. Volunteer

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How to Have a Perfect No-Spend Weekend!

1. Remember: Potlucks Are Your Friend!

2. Clear Out the Clutter

3. Volunteer

4. Tap Into Your Library or Community for Free Events

5. Nap

6. Wash All Your Linens

7. Have a Sleepover

8. Sign Up for a Free Week at a Gym

9. Try Out New Hairstyles

15 Ways to Have a Frugal Friday

1. Skip the Starbucks

2. Walk, Bike, or Carpool to Work

3. Pack Your Lunch

4. Rely on Natural Light

5. Use Your Coupons

6. Watch an Outdoor Movie

7. See a Local Band

8. Play Video Games

9. Go Thrift Shopping

10. Attend a Free Class

11. Rent a DVD From the Library

12. Go to the Gym

13. Visit a Free Museum

14. Have Leftovers for Dinner

15. Split Dinner Costs With a Friend

How to Throw a Fabulous (and Frugal!) Dinner Party

Themes

Main Dishes

Appetizers

Drinks

Invites

Presentation

Using What You’ve Got

Getting the Group Involved

Games

47 Cheap, Fun Things to Do This Weekend

1. Go to the Park

2. Watch the Sunset

3. Pack a Picnic Lunch

4. Play Board Games

5. Play Card Games

6. Do a Road Rally With Friends

7. Go on a Digital Scavenger Hunt

8. Throw a B.Y.O.E. Party

9. Have a Bonfire or Campfire in Your Backyard

10. Get Ice Cream

11. Make a Romantic Dinner

12. Grill Something New

13. Go to the Museum or Zoo

14. Scan Your Old Photographs