public library

8 Fun and Cheap Things to Do During the Weekday

Xin Lu — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 10:00:41 +0000

A Wise Bread reader recently asked us what are some fun and frugal things to do during the day, since she works at night. Since I quit my day job, I have found that there are many things in my community happening during the weekday when most people are at work. Here are some of my suggestions.

1. Go to the Library

The public library is not only full of books and DVDs that are free to access (with a library card), but many libraries also have enrichment programs that are free. I have seen free guitar lessons, art classes, and readings of books by authors at my local libraries. (See also: 4 Reasons Why You Should Support Your Local Library)

2. Take a Factory Tour

There are many factories and stores that give tours of their facilities. One famous example here in the Bay Area is the Jelly Belly factory. The tours are usually free, and guests get to have a little sample of the products. Factory Tours USA lists many of these tours.

3. Visit a Public Park or Beach

These public recreation areas are usually open from sunrise to sunset. Before I had my son, I rarely took advantage of them, but now I find that it's quite nice to just sit on the beach for a few hours. The large state parks usually feature many miles of walking trails, and they are great for some exercise.

4. Take Advantage of College Campuses

Many adult schools and colleges offer seminars that are free to attend, but they're generally during the weekdays when school is in session. I have also found reasonably priced dance and art classes in the local adult school catalogs. Some colleges even have free concerts and events that are open to the public. You do have to research these opportunities a bit, but they are out there.

5. Take Photos

For beginner photographers, it is easier to practice the art in natural light before moving onto purchasing expensive nighttime lenses. So if you have a lot of time during the day, you should consider taking some photos for fun. This hobby requires a small amount of initial investment, but if your skill level advances far enough, it is possible to sell your photos.

6. Go Geocaching

This is a global treasure hunt game where people hide tiny "caches" at specific GPS coordinates. All you need to play is a handheld GPS and the website geocaching.com. This hobby may cost you some gas if you decide to purposely drive to a cache that's far away, but you can also create your own little treasure boxes for other people to find.

7. Visit a Historic Site

Many historic sites around the country are accessible to the public. You can find a list of local historic sites online. I have found that I have actually driven past some of these sites many times without bothering to visit. If you are a fan of local history, it can be quite fun to rediscover your own community via historic sites.

8. Go to a Discount Movie Theater

Depending on where you live, there may be a cheap movie theater nearby that shows movies for $2 to $3 at strange times on weekdays. They often screen movies that have been in the theaters for awhile or foreign movies, but sometimes there are a few blockbusters. It is fairly cheap entertainment for an afternoon.

I have listed eight possible fun activities for those who do not have a regular work schedule, but you may find many more activities in your community if you just venture out and take a look. Your hometown might be more interesting than you thought.

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

4 Reasons Why You Should Support Your Local Library

Chris Birk — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 10:24:12 +0000

With municipalities struggling to stay afloat financially, public libraries are among the first institutions to feel the pinch.

At least 19 states have cut funding to community libraries in the last year according to the American Library Association. More than half reported reductions greater than 10%, and in many places, state-level cuts are compounded by similar cuts at the local level.

Increasingly, it's falling to local library boosters to cobble together funding and devote time and energy to keeping facilities open.

Perhaps the ease and ubiquity of technology has tempered your reliance on these long-cherished institutions. But local libraries continue to provide an array of key services to community members. (See also: Duh...Libraries)

Here are four reasons why you should consider supporting libraries.

They Spur Economic Investment

It might sound strange to think of libraries as an investment, but studies indicate they're crucial economic engines. A Univeristy of Pennsylvania study found that the Philadelphia library created more than $30 million worth of economic value for the city in fiscal year 2010. A key stat among the findings — nearly 9,000 businesses wouldn't have been started or nurtured without resources respondents first acquired at the Free Library of Philadelphia. “Until now, there hasn’t been a way to know exactly how much we help in dollars and cents,” FLP President and Director Siobhan A. Reardon said in a news release. “We’re an integral economic engine for the city of Philadelphia.”

They Help People Find Jobs

Public libraries offer a suite of free resources to help unemployed or under-employed citizens find gainful employment. Free classes boost education or even teach people how to craft a resume or prepare for an interview. Free Internet access and computer usage allows people to hunt for jobs, interact with potential employers, and prepare applications.

They Help Working Women

Women are far more likely than men (72% versus 58%) to have visited a library in the last year, according to the ALA. Working women, working mothers, and women aged 18 to 54 are the most likely to fall in that group. Those same demographics are also likely to have a library card.

They Open Doors to Education and Entertainment

Public libraries host free book clubs and movie nights, and even have passes for local museums so that card holders can avoid entrance fees. They offer free or inexpensive computer courses, language courses, writing courses, and even after-school learning programs for children.

Public libraries are an economic and social lifeline for millions of Americans, and there are myriad ways to help libraries, from making donations to writing letters of support to elected officials.

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

Free movies rentals for life.

Paul Michael — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 06:18:22 +0000

When I tell most people that I have a deal that blows Netflix or Blockbuster out of the water, they think I'm all talk. But here's the truth: I can't remember the last time I paid for a DVD movie rental. And it's all thanks to my public library.

I can't say for certain what kind of library resources you have where you are, but here in Colorado they're pretty darned good. And my local library happens to be an excellent resource for hundreds of movies. Now, I can already hear the mutters of discontent. "They're old movies, they only have one copy, they never have the new releases or the movies I want." Yes, and no.

For those of you who plan to use your library like your local Blockbuster or handy online DVD rental site, you'll be disappointed most of the time. When you get to the library, the DVDs left on the shelf are not exactly something to write home about (although let me add, I’ve found some real gems just sitting on the shelves). But I don't just drop in any old time to get mine. I use the online reservation system and I book way ahead. It's that easy, really.

We all know when the DVD releases are due. You can find that information anywhere, including Amazon and any online video store. So, when you know the release date, do a search for that movie on your library's online reservation system. They get all the new releases, usually at least 10-12 copies of the bigger movies between all the branches. Then, simply put a hold on a copy, and your name goes on the list. You'll have to wait a few weeks if you’re not first in line. But are you really that desperate to see it anyway? And besides, it's FREE. Well, okay, it's not really free — your taxes are paying for it. But if you're paying for the service anyway, why not use it?

Moreover, if you get into the habit of doing this, you'll always have new DVD rentals coming to you courtesy of your local library. You keep them a week, or more. And the late fees will not kill you, unlike the sham that is Blockbuster (keep it more than a week and boom, you buy the thing until you return it).

Another great part of the library in my state is something called Prospector. If you can't find the DVD you want, like perhaps it's really obscure or old, then Prospector will search every library in Colorado for you. The price? Nada, again.

Looking for something and no branch in the state has it? Well, order it. Most libraries have funds set aside for buying new materials on customer request. I'm a bit of a Bob Ross painting fan, and my local library ordered a whole series of his instructional DVDs for me for nothing at all. And now many other patrons are enjoying them too.

Maybe you like foreign films. Well, the library has that covered now with a whole section devoted to foreign language films. They have books on CD, soundtracks, anything you could possibly want for your home entertainment. And once again, the price is a big fat zero.

I've always been a fan of the library, but these days I'm more like an addict. I get all the movie rentals and CDs I want. The latest book releases. The best soundtracks. And all on a budget of zilch. Just remember to use the online reservation, book early, and you'll never be disappointed.

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: