boredom

5 Signs You Need to Come Out of Retirement

Dan Rafter — Fri, 29 Jun 2018 09:00:11 +0000

You imagined retirement as a long-awaited reward for all those years of work. Maybe you pictured cruises around the globe, lazy days playing tennis, or plenty of time to spend with your grandchildren. But now that it's finally here, you're not so happy.

Maybe you're bored. Maybe you're restless. Maybe you're having trouble paying the bills. Whatever the issue, your retirement isn't the happy time you expected. The solution? You might need to come out of retirement, at least part-time.

Retirement doesn't work for everyone, at least not the first time around. But you might find happiness, a renewed sense of purpose, or financial relief by coming out of retirement and jumping back into the world of work again. Here are some signs that you need to end your retirement and start working again. (See also: 6 Great Retirement Jobs)

1. You're struggling to pay the bills

The most important reason to return to work is if you're struggling to pay your bills each month. Maybe you didn't save enough money during your first go-round in the working world. Maybe your expenses, such as health care, are higher than you expected. Whatever the reason, if your monthly income is barely enough to pay your bills, it might be time to find a job, even a part-time one, to help cover the costs.

If you're facing this challenge, know that you're not alone. According to a 2017 report from the Schwartz Center for Economic Policy Analysis, 35 percent of workers from the ages of 55 to 64 didn't have any retirement savings in an IRA or 401(k)-type plan. The median account balance of workers nearing retirement was just $15,000.

2. Your retirement savings are dwindling

Maybe you did save for retirement. But now that you're not working, you're finding that those retirement savings are disappearing much faster than you expected.

It could be that you've spent more than you expected during your after-work years, or it could be that you underestimated how much money you'd need to support yourself once you stopped working. After all, people are living longer today than ever. Many people are experiencing retirements that last the same number of years as their career.

Returning to work, even part-time, can help prevent you from depleting your savings too quickly. Earning even $1,000 a month might help stretch those savings out long enough to enjoy a happy and healthy retirement. (See also: 10 Signs You Aren't Saving Enough for Retirement)

3. Your health is suffering

Work might not always be fulfilling, but it does keep you moving. And that can be an underrated benefit.

It's easy to get lazy in retirement. You might spend far too much time sitting in front of the TV or reclining on the couch with a book. There's nothing wrong with a bit of relaxation, but what if you're sitting so much that your health is suffering?

The Mayo Clinic and other medical professionals have reported that sitting too much can result in serious health problems — everything from obesity and higher blood pressure, to elevated cholesterol levels. Getting back to work on a full- or part-time basis could keep you from sitting your days away. And that might provide a quick boost to your overall health. (See also: 5 Retirement Struggles Nobody Talks About — And How to Beat Them)

4. You're bored

Planning on whiling away your days on the golf course, fishing from the banks of your favorite lake, or spending more time with your grandchildren might sound good. And it might be good, too … for a while.

The truth is, days can be long when you're not busy at work. All that free time can start to feel more like a burden than a pleasure if you don't know how to fill the hours. You can only read so many books or binge-watch so much TV.

It's easy to get bored during retirement, especially now that retirement is lasting so much longer. Getting a new job could alleviate much of that boredom. It will take you out of the house and give you something to do. It doesn't have to be thrilling work, but it could be just enough to make those long, empty hours seem less intimidating.

5. You're lonely

Miss the office chitchat? Miss the after-work drinks on Fridays? Being retired can cut you out from the social interaction that work often provides. You might start to feel lonely once you leave the working world.

Even if your partner is still living and you have adult children and grandchildren, your social circle can shrink dramatically during retirement. That's because many of us rely heavily on work relationships for our social interactions. Rejoining the workforce, even on a limited basis, could boost your social life and ease the loneliness that too often comes with retired life. (See also: How to Find Your New Identity After Retirement)

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

8 Ways to Keep Boredom from Destroying Your Budget

Paul Michael — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 10:00:05 +0000

Bored, bored, bored; most of us find those words repeating in our head at some point during the week. The trouble is, when you’re bored, you look for ways to relieve the boredom. And these days, that can lead to some poor money decisions. Here’s how to avoid the lure of blowing your monthly budget just to escape the monotony.

1. Find a go-to “boredom beater” activity

If you know you’re going to have spells of boredom in the future, put something together now to combat it. Make a list of books you want to read, and go get them from the library. Fill an empty drawer with cheap jigsaw puzzles, Sudoku books, and adult coloring books. Thrift stores can be a great source for many of these items (although you may be taking a risk purchasing a used jigsaw puzzle). (See also: 15 Frugal Ways to Battle Boredom)

2. Plan something you would like to do

Making plans is something we all enjoy doing. Whether it’s a weekend away, a trip to Europe, or figuring out your next home remodeling project, it’s fun to think about the future. You can keep it realistic, or you can put together your “dream vacation.” You can make a bucket list, featuring everything you want to try in your lifetime. Use the internet to research delicious foods and incredible restaurants. Search for “experiences of a lifetime.” Not only does this put you in a positive frame of mind, it gives you a reason to start saving for something special. And the best part is, planning doesn’t cost you anything.

3. Avoid any and all online shopping sites

“I’m really bored … maybe I’ll see what’s new on Amazon.” That’s a big mistake right there. Even if the initial intention was just to window shop, the prospect of instant gratification and enticing deals can lure you in. Before you know it, you’ve put a bunch of items in your shopping cart, searched for a few promo codes, and checked out with that “What just happened?” feeling. If you absolutely must go online shopping when you’re bored, keep a list handy that contains items you know you will need. A birthday gift for a friend or family member. Cleaning supplies. Household stuff. At least then, you’ll be checking a chore off your list. (See also: How to Prevent a Drunken Online Shopping Spree)

4. Don’t raid the pantry or fridge

You’re bored, not hungry, and there’s a big difference. One of the reasons smokers put on weight when they quit is not because they’re hungry, but because they feel the need to do something with their hands. When you’re bored, you’re looking for something to do to eat up some time and busy yourself, so you may think, hey … why not actually eat? But if you budgeted correctly, you’re using up food meant for a different time; like, an actual meal. Do this often, and not only will you have to spend more on food than you planned, but you’ll gain weight.

5. Don’t go to the movies

Who doesn’t love a night at the cinema? If you’re bored, the idea of getting out of the house to see a new movie may be very appealing to you. And, if you have money set aside in your budget for that, go ahead. But if you’ve already used that up, or there isn’t a movie you really want to see, don’t go.

The average price of a movie ticket these days is around $9, although it can be less at off-peak times, or much more for 3D and IMAX. Then you’ve got the snacks, which are very hard to resist. Throw in a small popcorn and soda and that’s another $11–$13. You’re over $20 in the hole for this boredom buster.

Instead, check out some of the new releases at the local library or Redbox. The library is free, although the newest titles are often reserved for months. Redbox costs between $1.50–$2 depending on your choice of DVD or Blu-ray. However, search online for codes that can get you a free night’s rental. Just remember to take the disc back the next day.

6. Have a game night

Board games. Video games. Charades. As long as you already have free access to your choice of games, inviting friends or family over to have some fun is a great way to kill boredom without spending a nickel. If you don’t have any games in the house, or are bored with the ones you have, take a trip to the nearest thrift store. There is usually a huge selection of pre-owned games of all types.

If you go to Goodwill, look for color tags that give you either 50 percent off or the item for just 99 cents. Of course, it goes without saying that you should open the box and check the contents first. Make sure the game has all the pieces, but don’t worry too much about instructions. These days you can find them free online, ready to print out and use in an instant.

7. Go on free tours

Whatever town or city you’re in, you have access to tours of a wide variety of places. In some cities you can tour the United States Mint facility. You can visit local breweries or wineries, candy companies, and even car manufacturing plants. These free tours vary from state to state, but a great resource is FactoryToursUsa.com. On a tour, you'll go around in a group with a guide explaining the history of the company and the step-by-step process that goes into the products being made. Plus, many of these tours offer freebies at the end, or as you’re walking around. Free beer? Free candy? Now that’s not boring at all. (See also: 9 Free Things to Do in Any City You Visit)

8. Get out and do something that costs nothing

There are plenty of ways to escape the house and not open your wallet. For starters, a simple walk around the neighborhood can be a great way to relieve boredom. Grab your phone and some headphones, play some music, and explore your local area. If you’re feeling up to it, turn it into an exercise session instead. Jog, do pushups, run up and down steps. Find a way to turn that foray out of the house into something that will do you good.

If you’re in the right part of the country, you could try a hike, hit a bike trail, or maybe grab a tent and a few supplies and go camping. If you own a dog, take him or her on a walk. This is also a good chance to meet your neighbors. If you see one outside and you’ve never found the time to say hello, strike up a conversation. You may find you have a lot in common. Get inventive. Imagine you don’t have one penny to your name. Now, what can you do to entertain yourself?

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

6 Ways to Deal When You're Way Behind at Work

Emily Guy Birken — Fri, 27 Jan 2017 11:00:09 +0000

Being overwhelmed and falling behind at work may be a universal phenomenon, but it is possible to get back to a solid footing. If you are drowning in incomplete TPS reports, here are six ways you can improve the situation and get your head back above water.

1. Take 20 Minutes Every Morning to Review and Plan

Truly productive people start their mornings by taking 20 minutes to review their calendars and create their to-do lists for the day. This allows them to be prepared for whatever the day ahead has to offer.

This is the sort of habit that often goes out the window as soon as a major work deadline looms large. When you are overwhelmed at work, it can be tempting to jump right in as soon as you get to the office. There are fires to put out and meetings to attend, so you don't have the time to plan out your day.

But skipping the 20-minute morning review means you are surprised by plans, meetings, or interim due dates that slip your mind while you're focused on the big project. Make sure your morning starts with a plan so that you can prevent today's small deadline from becoming a major problem tomorrow.

2. Say No to More Work

When it comes to optional work projects, the way to say no is simple, but not easy. It's a matter of getting in the habit of saying "My plate is full right now."

However, the harder issue is when your boss is trying to assign you more work on top of what you are already doing. Pushing back against such an assignment is not simple, and it can feel very uncomfortable.

The best way to handle such an addition to your workload is to ask for and provide open communication. Set a meeting with your boss to agree on what your priorities, goals, and objectives are for all of your projects, so it's clear what can and cannot reasonably get done. Request regular progress review meetings so everyone will be clear on what is happening and when. It's important for you and your supervisor to recognize your abilities and limitations and not try to squeeze blood from a turnip.

3. End the Procrastination Cycle

Scientists have found that procrastination has less to do with time than emotion. Chronic procrastinators are often choosing not to start their work because it gives them momentary emotional relief — but the level of guilt they feel over procrastinating means they are not really improving their emotional state by avoiding the dreaded task.

Even the best of us fall victim to procrastination, but chronic procrastinators can find themselves spiraling into an endless procrastination cycle: Putting off a dreaded task makes them feel guilty and ashamed, which causes them to have less cognitive and emotional energy available to be productive, which makes them even less likely to start the task.

So how do you end the procrastination cycle?

There are two proven methods for interrupting this loop. The first is an external deadline. Knowing that you are beholden to another individual is often enough to force you to just get started in order to meet the deadline. If you can't ask your supervisor for hard deadlines, creating self-imposed deadlines is not as effective, but still better than nothing.

The second method of interrupting the procrastination loop is to regard your mood as a fixed state. According to a 2001 study by Dianne Tice, students didn't procrastinate when they were primed to believe their mood was fixed — but when they thought their mood could change (especially if they thought it could improve), they procrastinated. It can be tough to start your work if you are in a bad mood, but if you just accept that your bad mood is here to stay, you're more likely to roll up your sleeves and get to it.

4. Procrastinate Productively

If you truly feel like you emotionally need to avoid a task that you should be working on, there are far better ways to dodge it than by surfing Facebook. Instead, you should work on another task that may not be as time-sensitive, but still needs to get done.

This used to be my favorite way to get homework done in college. When I had a major project due, the days leading up to the due date would often find me working on homework for other classes. This allowed me to feel the emotional relief of procrastination without allowing me to fall into the shame associated with a procrastination cycle.

You can also take this habit one step further by creating a procrastination list. This idea comes from Chris Bailey, the blogger behind A Year of Productivity. Your procrastination list will include any items you're allowed to work on when you find yourself procrastinating. This will help you to still use your time productively if you procrastinate. Alternatively, if you find that nothing on your procrastination list is appealing, then you are more likely to just get started on the task you'd otherwise avoid.

5. Nip Complaining in the Bud

When you are overwhelmed, it can feel great to complain about your heavy workload to your coworkers, friends, family, and glassy-eyed cashiers who really don't care about your TPS reports. But complaining only offers you momentary relief. If you keep talking about how rough it is, you're likely to make yourself feel even worse about the situation.

So if you are tempted to complain about your bozo boss and his unrelenting workload, stop yourself and think about what could be a more constructive use of your conversations. Perhaps you could ask a coworker to help you with a task, or request that your spouse take over school drop-off for the week so you can get to work a few minutes earlier to plan your day. Use your conversations as an opportunity to reduce your sense of being overwhelmed, rather than magnify it by complaining.

6. Get Some Rest

Sleep seems like an easy place to cut back when there are more tasks than hours in the day. But staying up late to finish a project isn't just bad for your health, it's actually counterproductive if you want to get your work done. Not only does lack of sleep make you more easily distracted, which means it will take you longer to get your work done, but fatigue can also hurt your job performance.

One of the best things you can do to chip away at your seemingly endless to-do list is protect your sleep time. Don't let work encroach on your rest, or you'll find that both your rest and your work are worse off.

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

10 Ways You Can Bend Time to Improve Your Life

Mardee Handler — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 13:00:04 +0000

Fact: Every day, we all start with 24 hours. Subtract the recommended 7 to 9 hours of sleep, and we're left with a measly 15 to 17 waking hours per day. No wonder we're always rushing around, trying to cram in all our "have-tos" and "want-tos!" But sometimes slowwwwwing down to enjoy the good stuff — and speeding up to increase efficiencies in other areas — can add a whole lot of awesomeness to everyday life. (See also: 9 Tools That Create Hours of Free Time Every Week)

1. Truly Enjoy Those Things Worth Savoring

Think of one or two things that you look forward to every day. Whether it's sitting outside watching the birds fly around the bird feeder, walking the dog, or enjoying an after-dinner cocktail, see if you can find an extra 10-15 minutes to really savor the experience.

For me, there never seems to be enough time between the blaring of the alarm clock and the rush out the door in the morning. I used to blast through my morning routine on high-speed auto-pilot — so quickly that before I knew it, my coffee pot was empty, and I could hardly remember drinking it. But one weekend morning, when I was leisurely enjoying my morning java, I had a coffee epiphany: Wow… this tastes amazing! It was a life-changing moment. By waking up 15 minutes earlier, I now slow down and appreciate its deliciousness sip by sip — every day!

2. Do It Right the First Time

When you slow down, whether it's at work, in the kitchen, or during an argument with your partner, you reduce your chances of making mistakes. How awesome is the thought of not needing to cover a bank overdraft, run out for fast-food when you scorch the chicken, or find ways to tell your honey that you really, really did not mean those things that just slipped out of your mouth before thinking? One of my favorite John Wooden quotes sums it up best: "If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?" Mistakes happen, but more often than not, it's because we're rushing. Instead, slow down and do it right the first time.

3. Be Present

It's impossible to multitask and be 100% present at the same time. Sure, you can drive the car and listen to the radio — even sing along to your favorite song — but you can't really focus on your partner's detailed account of a problem at work while scrolling through your Twitter feed.

Make an effort to decide what things will get your full and undivided attention. Sometimes full presence trumps efficiency.

4. Multitask Smartly

Many low-attention items on your to-do list can be grouped together to spend your time more efficiently. For example, why not fold a load of towels while catching up on the latest episode of Orange is the New Black? Catch up on Facebook while on hold with the cable company. Often, we find ourselves multitasking haphazardly, which can cause problems. But purposeful — scheduled — multitasking often makes sense. (See also: The Simple Way to Make Multitasking Actually Work)

5. Delay Purchase, Increase Satisfaction

You just saw the cutest purse / coolest pair of sunglasses / latest and greatest iPhone… Sure, impulse gifts-to-self can be fun, but anticipated purchases can be far more gratifying. Keep a little "wish list" going, and reward yourself with a special purchase when you reach a goal.

When you make a decision to buy that certain something that you really want, schedule it for a later time (even later that same day), another day, or as a reward after you finish that daunting task that's been on your list for months.

Anticipating the purchase will make it that much more enjoyable once it becomes yours.

6. Spend Less Time on Workouts for Better Results

Interval training, combining short bursts of high-intensity activity with intervals of slower, lighter intensity activity can help burn more calories, improve your aerobic capacity, and keep your workouts from becoming boring. Add a few sprints to your bike ride, jog or walk — and notice results faster.

When lifting weights, super slow reps can improve your strength by creating greater tension and recruiting higher muscle fiber, according to Dr. Len Kravitz of the University of New Mexico. While not all experts agree that super slow weight lifting indeed creates stronger muscles, scripted group exercise classes like Group Power and Group Ride incorporate varying speeds and counts in all of their exercise routines.

7. Read for Speed and Boost Comprehension

Think about all the reading you do on an average day. Newspapers (online or in print), emails, reports, proposals, notes from school… On average, people read about 250 words per minute, according to Mindtools. Did you know that — in addition to helping you read faster — speed reading can also improve your comprehension of the "big picture" message of the content? Sometimes getting the gist of a newspaper article is good enough, and wasting time on the impertinent details can get you backlogged.

Other times, of course, reading slowly — paying close attention to every word — is necessary. Missing or misreading one word in a contract or proposal can have disastrous implications! When reading for pleasure, going slowly allows you to appreciate the details of the images the author has painted with words.

8. Shop Fast and Save Money

Wouldn't it be great to come home from the grocery store without buyer's remorse — or tempting diet sabotages? Schedule your grocery shopping as you would for other activities on your "to-do" list, allotting a reasonable time limit — and sticking to it. When you grocery shop with a list in hand and a predetermined time span, you can dash up and down the aisles, grabbing the items that you need, and avoiding the temptations that may lurk in the junk food section. Go quickly, stay focused and get it done! (But remember to smile at the cashier, the "rush" ends when you hit the check-out lane.)

9. Make Time for the Important Stuff

Sometimes we get too busy to meet a friend for lunch or a beer after work. Even finding time to chat on the phone often takes a back seat to appointments, work deadlines, carpools and other obligations. But as much as we sometimes tell ourselves we can't afford the time, the truth is, we can't afford not to take the time to connect with friends. Few things nourish the soul like a good, old-fashioned gab session with a friend.

Making time to rest, finding "me-time" to recharge or even indulging in healthy routines like exercise are all things we know we should do for ourselves, yet they often take a backseat, thinking they can wait another week. They can't. Give the same priority to relationships and self-care as you do to checking your email and social media — the things that often can wait another week.

Rather than feeling as if we don't "have enough time," realize that the way we spend our time is up to us.

10. Make "a Long Time" More Manageable

No matter how you slice it, an hour is 60 minutes, a week is 7 days, and so on. But all time does not feel equal. Somehow, an hour in the dentist's chair simply doesn't pass as quickly as an hour of Zumba. Long periods of time can be toughest, whether it's undergoing treatment for a serious illness, recovering from a broken leg, or waiting for a family member to return from military duty in Afghanistan, time can feel often feel like a jail sentence. Even anticipating the good stuff — taking that well-deserved beachy vacation or remodeling your kitchen — can seem to last for an eternity.

One strategy to conquer the "mountain" of time is to break it into manageable chunks, marked by smaller milestones. Choose an activity to help you mark time; for example, try one new recipe per week while awaiting your spouse's return from military duty; at the end of the wait, you'll have your partner back — and all kinds of new meals to put on the table!

Instead of letting yourself become overwhelmed by what may feel like an abyss of time, manage what feels manageable — whether it's a day, a week, or a physical therapy session at a time.

How do you manage your perception of time? Take a moment and share in comments!

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

10 Ways to Fall Back in Love With Your Job

POPSUGAR Smart Living — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 11:36:24 +0000

The 9 to 5 grind can wear you down, and some of you may start to feel that all you're doing at work is counting down the hours till you can clock out. Don't let work get you down, and read on for ways you can fall back in love with your job again.

Find a Mentor

Sometimes finding a career mentor can make a huge difference in your attitude and view towards your work-life. Some companies have their own mentoring program, which can either provide the employee a lot of guidance or none at all. Finding a mentor is something that generally happens organically, and you don't necessarily have to find one that works at your company.

Try to put in some effort into finding your career yoda, and you might just find work more enjoyable. There's nothing more inspiring than learning from someone who has been there and done that.

Build a Healthy Work-Life Balance

Burnout may be causing you to lose some love for your job. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial to success and happiness at your job, because if your job starts getting you down, you're going to end up dreading it.

Read these 15 tips for a better harmony between life and work.

Start a Volunteer Initiative

Giving back to society can create a great sense of well being. What better way to start then by organizing a volunteer initiative at work? You'll be bonding with your coworkers and doing something meaningful at the same time.

Find out how you can start volunteering with your office, and read these five fun office volunteering ideas you can do.

Strengthen Your Work Friendships

Friends are what make the world go around, and the same rule can apply to your working world as well. Try to build up better working relationships by doing things such as attending more company events and having a friendlier attitude. After all, it's the people at work that contribute the most to workplace satisfaction!

Plan Your Career Goals

If you haven't written out your five-year career plan yet, do it now. It's really helpful to put your goals into writing, because it really keeps things in perspective. Having everything on paper will add to your drive at work since you know what you should be working towards. And trust me, there is no greater feeling than crossing the items off your list.

Negotiate Better Perks, Salary

It's time to put your negotiating skills to good use, and try to get better perks and a raise. If your company is unwilling to budge on a salary increase, figure out what makes you happy and aim for negotiating for those perks instead.

Perhaps more PTO days are what you need, or you would like to work from home more. Plan your strategy and set up a meeting with your boss.

Communicate With Your Boss

Better communication with your boss makes for a happy worker. Set up a time to check in with her, and ask her for some feedback. If there is anything at work that you are unsatisfied with, express your misgivings to her, but remember to keep it professional.

If you don't already do this at work, try to establish regular one-to-one meetings with your manager.

Have a Positive Attitude

A huge part of happiness is mental, and if you stay positive, your attitude towards work might improve as well. Try to distance yourself from negative co-workers (if you have any), and focus on the things you love about your job, instead of lingering on the negatives.

Destress with your friends if you're having angst about your work, and try to do nice things for people in your work life. You'll be surprised at how being nice can get you ahead in your career.

Meet Passionate People in Your Industry

Start branching out and attend professional mixers and networking events. Passion can be very contagious and if you surround yourself with people who truly have love and dedication for their jobs, you might rediscover your own love for your job.

Search for a Job You Love

If you discover that no matter what you do, your job still leaves you unhappy, maybe you can chase your dreams and switch careers. Make sure you have thought it through carefully and that you're willing to take on the financial risks that come with this big change. You can transition into a new industry by either temping, taking on freelance jobs, or going to grad school.

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Bored? Burnt out? Begging for the workday to be over? Help is here! Follow these suggestions to rekindle the romance with your work.

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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:

15 Frugal Ways to Battle Boredom

Tara Struyk — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:36:15 +0000

If I have a free day with absolutely nothing to do, my first impulse is often to go shopping. I could just take a walk, window shop, and peruse my favorite stores without feeling the need to buy a thing. Unfortunately, my wallet is no shrinking violet.

The good news is that there are a lot of great ways to battle boredom and keep your spending under wraps. And you don’t even have to resort to doing laundry or balancing your checkbook (although that’s not a bad idea either). Here are a few of my frugal (and 100% fun) favorites. (See also: Mommy, I'm Bored: 25 Frugal Things to Do With Kids)

1. Find Friends

If you have good company, you’ll never be bored. Seek out a good friend and spend some time catching up.

2. Make a Theme

I’ve held a few parties, and the best ones always have a theme. So pick a theme you think you and your friends can get into, and invite a crowd over to celebrate the 80s, ugly Christmas sweaters, or any other theme that makes you smile. If it goes over well, make it an annual function. Better still, make it BYOB (bring your own beer). Check out some unique party ideas.

3. Cook a Feast

Have you ever cracked open Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking? Many of those recipes take hours to prepare, but if you have time on your hands it’s a great opportunity to put together the kind of meal you’d find at a fancy restaurant — for less than you’d pay at a greasy spoon.

4. Take a Nap

I can’t say there’s anything that makes me happier than taking a nap on a Sunday afternoon. Studies suggest that many people don’t get enough sleep. This is your chance to catch up! Plus, a short nap is one of life’s great (and free) luxuries, and it can do wonders to reduce stress and increase alertness.

5. Take a Short Trip

I’m often amazed by how many parts of my city I rarely visit or have never even seen. If you have time to kill and feel like getting out, go for a drive or ride your bike to an area you’re unfamiliar with. If you’re lucky, you’ll find a new store, park, or coffee shop you can make plans to visit again.

6. Read a Book

A good book — or even a trashy magazine — can transport you anywhere you want to go. Pick out a few good volumes at the library, then spend an hour or two curled up in your favorite chair.

7. Do Something You’ve Always Meant to Do

Many people have a “bucket list,” but it often consists of big-ticket items such as traveling, running a marathon, or learning a language. You may be able to begin to tackle some of these in your down time, but if not, consider having a mini bucket list of simple activities you’re always meaning to do, but haven’t gotten around to.

8. Write a Story

More than a 100,000 people run a Google search on how to become a writer each month. If you’re harboring a desire to put pen to paper, skip the search and start putting your thoughts on paper.

9. Visit an Ethnic Food Store

Visiting a local ethnic food store will introduce you to a whole new world of foods you may never have even heard of and provide you with key ingredients to cook some authentic cuisine from another part of the world. It’s way cheaper — and way more fun — than takeout.

10. Call Your Mother (Father, Grandmother, Great Aunt)

A busy day-to-day life can often get in the way of relationships. If you’ve been thinking of someone, give that person a call and find out how they’re doing.

11. Play at the Park

I’m about 20 years past my prime park-playing days, but I don’t let that stop me from taking a ride on the swings now and then. If you think you’re too old for the park, bring some kids — they’ll provide encouragement.

12. Indulge Your Dog

The dog park is one of my favorite places in the world. Give a dog some space to run, and it will respond with pure, unadulterated, tongue-lolling joy. Sometimes, it does the same for me (minus the tongue).

13. Learn an Old-Time Skill

It’s getting increasingly hard for many people to imagine, but there was a time before TV, which can often become crutch we use to make time pass rather than spend it doing something we enjoy. Consider taking up an old-time hobby such as knitting, collage, listening to music, or playing cards. Some of these activities involve an initial investment, so start small to see how you like it.

14. Start Up an Old Hobby

The older I get, the more I feel like doing the things I loved when I was a kid. Maybe you collected stamps, built model airplanes, or played guitar. Whatever it was, think about some of the hobbies that made you happy in the days when you had nothing but time.

15. Play a Board Game

If you haven’t played a board game lately, you might think they’re a thing of the past. No so. In fact, manufacturers are coming up with new games all the time, and you’ll find that most of your old favorites are still available too. Check out the list of best-selling board games in 2011 for some ideas. These games can be pricey, but they last for years. Choose one you love, and invite your friends to play rather than going for dinner. It’ll pay for itself in no time.

The opposite of earning money doesn’t have to be spending it. The next time you’re feeling bored, look for a way a valuable way to spend your time, rather than spending your money. And, if I’ve missed your favorite cure for boredom, send it my way — I’d love to hear them!

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