weekend activities

7 Life Skills You Can Learn for Free

Ashley Eneriz — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 08:00:11 +0000

We don't learn everything in school. There are many people who might have an impressive degree and can do calculus, but when it comes to public speaking or cooking a tasty meal, they don't know where to begin. Here are seven basic life skills everyone needs to know, and how to learn them for free.

1. Budgeting

Rather than learning basic personal finance skills in school, many of us have had to learn financial lessons through costly trial and error. Learning to stick with a budget means you can avoid and pay off debt, save for retirement, and eventually be able to buy a home or splurge on a dream vacation.

There are several budgeting techniques you can use, but essentially you want to start tracking all of your bills and expenses, and ultimately see where you can cut back. Then move those extra funds to paying off debt or into a savings account. Keeping all of this information in one place like a spreadsheet will be your best bet in being able to get a clear picture of your finances. (See also: Take Control of Your Money With These 10 Free Spreadsheet Templates)

2. Public speaking

Even though many will not choose a career that requires constant speeches, like a pastor or politician, all of us will need to speak publicly at some point. Whether it be for a work meeting, a wedding speech, or a eulogy at a funeral, you'll have to get up in front of a group of people and not pass out from nerves.

You can audit the University of Washington’s public speaking course through Coursera for free, or rent books with tips on how to master this skill from your local library. You could even practice monologues in front of a mirror or for a group of friends.

3. Speed reading

Reading at a faster speed while maintaining comprehension can help you enjoy more books in less time. And depending on your line of work, it can also help you perform your work tasks at a quicker speed (and hopefully getting a bigger raise).

There are a few free speed reading courses through Skillshare and other free education platforms. One notable course on Skillshare is Speed Reading Mastery from Jordan Harry, a TEDx speaker who says he can read 1,500 words per minute. Skillshare does have a monthly fee of $15, but you can get the first month for free and take unlimited classes during that introductory period.

4. Speaking a second language

If mastering a second language is on your bucket list, then stop waiting for enough free time to get started. You can learn a new language by committing to 15-30 minutes a day with free audiobooks from the library or free online courses.

Duolingo is one of the most popular free language platforms and gamifies the learning process to make it more enjoyable. There are many languages offered, including Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Portuguese. There is even an option to learn High Valyrian from Game of Thrones or Klingon from Star Trek. (See also: 11 Ways a Second Language Can Boost Your Career)

5. Cooking

There are so many elements to cooking, but everyone should feel comfortable enough in the kitchen to whip up a tasty meal with ingredients they have on hand. When you can look in your pantry and fridge and turn staples into dinner, you won’t be constantly tempted to order takeout.

Jamie Oliver has several YouTube videos on kitchen basics, such as roasting a chicken or making perfect scrambled eggs, along with how to make classic dishes like spaghetti carbonara. Once you've mastered the basics in the kitchen, take it to the next level with Gordon Ramsay’s YouTube lessons. And since you're not a contestant on Hell's Kitchen, you won't get yelled at if you make a mistake.

6. Sewing

Just learning the basics of sewing can save you tons of money because you'll be able to repair minor rips, reattach buttons, and even hem pants that are too long, instead of buying new clothing items all the time. You'll also be equipped to adjust your clothes or your children’s clothes during weight fluctuations or growth spurts.

The internet is full of free sewing tutorials and patterns, but a good starting place is Made Everyday’s sewing lessons on YouTube.

7. Writing

You don’t need to learn how to become the next best-selling author, but you do need to learn how to get your point across with the written word. A well-written letter or email can save you money on your bills, land you a job, soothe a family or friend conflict, or help you do better in the workplace. (See also: 4 Times a Handwritten Letter Can Save You Big Bucks.)

You can audit this free business writing course from Coursera, which covers how to write effectively in the business world and how to avoid basic grammar errors.

Like this article? Pin it!

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

25 Hobbies You Can Start for Under $10

Ashley Marcin — Wed, 15 Feb 2017 10:00:09 +0000

Exploring new hobbies and pastimes is a great way to feel better about yourself, develop new skills, and meet new people. Don't want to break the bank? You don't have to! Here's a long list of engaging, satisfying activities you can begin this year without spending much money. Most will set you back a mere $5 to $10. Better yet, a good majority of these activities are absolutely free.

1. Exercise

Getting fit is a common resolution each year. Make it your new go-to hobby to keep yourself more accountable. You can walk or run today for free. All you really need is to dust off that pair of athletic shoes in the back of your closet.

Not the running type? Head over to Fitness Blender for a wealth of free online workouts you can do in the comfort of your own living room.

2. Join a Sports Team

Working out solo might not be your style. Check around to find out what local sports leagues or teams meet in your area. My neighbor spends her summers running the fields with an adult soccer team that costs very little to join. I used to attempt to spike in the sand in a free beach volleyball group a few years ago.

You can browse sites like Sportsvite to find teams in your area.

3. Write

Do you have a story you're just waiting to tell the world? Try writing it down instead of running it over in your head. You can get into a writing habit by taking as little as 10 minutes each day to peck out a few sentences on your keyboard or in a notebook.

Need more motivation? Check your local calendar to see if there are any nearby writing groups that meet on a regular basis. Or create your own!

4. Blog

I've been blogging for over 10 years now. It's my main hobby, and it even turned into a part-time career. All you need is access to a computer and a free account at a site like Blogger. If you're having trouble getting started, try first brainstorming a few topics you'd like to cover. Do you want to share recipes? Your thoughts on current events? Experiment to see what gets your creative juices flowing, then push "Publish," even if it's only for your friends to read.

5. Try Vlogging

Similar to blogging, vlogging lets you share with the world in a very personal way. You can sign up on YouTube for a free account before you film yourself. You don't need fancy recording equipment, either. Many phones have built-in video these days. YouTube features very basic editing tools as well.

6. Practice Photography

Speaking of phones — many of them also have built-in cameras that would put old point-and-shoots to shame. In other words: You don't need a DSLR to learn how to take gorgeous photos. The iPhone Photography School has tons of free videos with all sorts of tips and tricks.

7. Play a Musical Instrument or Sing

I resurrected my singing pipes a few years ago by joining the women's chorus in my neighborhood. A few years before that, I spent a few bucks getting my violin refurbished from my high school years to sit in the community orchestra.

If you don't have an instrument at home already, consider asking a friend or relative if you can borrow theirs. My husband learned to play guitar last year by using my brother's spare guitar and watching tutorial videos he found online. You can also contact a local music shop to ask about rental prices.

8. Listen to Music

Don't have time to join a group? That's just fine and dandy. Why not listen to more music instead? I don't like to brag, but I can rap just like Daveed Diggs through Hamilton's "Guns and Ships." Switch on YouTube or Pandora or your radio to get free access to music right now.

9. Join Community Theater

Find out when your neighborhood's theater group is holding auditions for its next show. I just typed "community theater in my area" into Google and — within seconds — found the website for two local companies that cost nothing to join.

Never acted in a play before? Don't fret. There are often lots of "extras" in shows, so you don't have to worry about the pressure of playing lead.

10. Take Up Gardening

It's never too early to plan for your garden. If you start now, it doesn't need to cost you a whole lot, either. Head to your local library or purchase your own copy of Square Foot Gardening. Once you've drafted a loose plan, order seeds. DollarSeed boasts that you can order non-GMO and heirloom seeds for as little as $1 per pack.

The bonus here is that you can hopefully enjoy the fruits of your labor with some cheap food once everything grows.

11. Practice Cooking and Baking

Even if you don't want to grow your own food, you can still cook and bake for a hobby (and for your everyday life). You don't need to spend more than you're already putting out for your groceries each week. Consult that cookbook that's been sitting on your bookshelf for several years or pick one up at the library.

And if you don't want to buy specific ingredients, use what you have on hand! Sites like SuperCook give you tons of recipes you can search by the ingredients you already have in your pantry.

12. Become a Juggler

Join the other 2.4 million people who have watched this video on how to juggle on YouTube. You can snag an inexpensive set of three juggling balls for less than $6 on Amazon.

13. Enjoy Some Adult Coloring Books

De-stress and express yourself through coloring. By now, you may have seen all the awesome adult coloring books floating around everywhere. In fact, you can even get some cool ones on the cheap at the Dollar Store. Consider investing in some nice colored pencils that give you a variety of shades from which to choose.

14. Try Drawing

Rather not color inside the lines? Drawing is another free activity you can try. Even kids can get in on the action. My five-year-old daughter loves following along with different projects on Art for Kids Hub.

15. Try Knitting

If making a scarf sounds appealing to you, take a few bucks to your nearest craft store and pick up supplies to start knitting. A basic pair of knitting needles may cost you as little as $4. Yarn ranges in price depending on material, but acrylic is great to learn on and won't set you back more than a couple dollars. You can find many tutorials and patterns online for free.

The same goes with many other crafts. Here's a tip: Before driving to the store to pick up supplies, check online to see if there are any coupons. Many chains, like Michael's and A.C. Moore offer regular coupons for 40% off.

16. Play Games

Like playing games? Grab your chess board or deck of cards from the closet and enjoy with a friend. It's that simple. If you cannot find someone to play with you, consider heading online to a site like Addicting Games, where you can engage in either solo or multiplayer games for free.

17. Go Hiking

The great outdoors is calling you. Slip on some sturdy shoes and go for a hike. This is another one of those hobbies that you can do with others in a club (just search your area calendar). The American Hiking Society has all sorts of information that can help you get started — including volunteer opportunities that may land you free vacations with like-minded naturalists.

18. Go Camping

Camping is a wonderful way to take a trip somewhere beautiful without going broke. Spend some time planning now for a great summer adventure. Staying a week is only $160 at various National Parks throughout the United States.

19. Try Volunteering

You can also take up helping others for a new and rewarding hobby. Ask around to find good opportunities in your area. The church down the street from us has a soup kitchen every Friday, for example. Or check out sites like Volunteer Match to find open spots online.

20. Get Couponing

Why not save money in the new year with a couponing habit? All it has to cost you is the price of a Sunday paper. Or maybe less! There are also several apps that show price-matching and price comparisons at multiple stores at once. (See also: The 10 Best Couponing Apps)

21. Practice Yoga or Meditation

One of my goals for the new year is to center myself. I run on a very nervous energy level. Yoga and meditation can help with that. Both involve deep breathing. And both are easy and free to begin at home. Yoga with Adriene is my favorite spot to find a variety of calming moves for zero dollars. The UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center has a good number of free guided meditations and visualization exercises.

22. Become a History Buff

I've become obsessed with Broadway's Hamilton. Not just the musical, either. I've spent hours researching George Washington and the other founding fathers. The best part? I can do all this sleuthing around for free. Think of a historical figure, a period of time, or issue that interests you. Then search the Internet or your local library to find out more.

For a more passive immersion, consider browsing documentaries on Netflix or Hulu and making a gigantic queue of the ones that interest you. Or check out Drunk History, also on Hulu.

23. Read More Books

Reading is free activity — at least if you have a library card — but it takes motivation. Consider writing out a list of a book to read each month to keep yourself in motion. You may even try starting a theme-based book club with your friends. Set a time to meet, write up the reading list, and read. Then rotate who hosts the book discussion each month (and be sure to involve lots of tasty treats and good beverages).

24. Try Some Upcycling DIY Projects

Click over to Pinterest and find an unlimited number of do-it-yourself projects you can finish by upcycling your old stuff. We have a great list of 18 awesome, practically free upcycled craft projects to get you inspired.

25. Learn a New Language

A friend of mine spent last winter visiting her grandmother each week for Italian language lessons. She learned how to say hello, thank you, and a host of other practical phrases — and got some quality time with her beloved Nonna to boot.

If you don't know anyone who speaks another language, you can also check out sites like Duolingo to learn online for free.

Like this article? Pin it!

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

Flashback Friday: 72 Brilliant Ways to Stretch $20

Chrissa Hardy — Fri, 22 Jul 2016 10:00:13 +0000

Few great things in this life are free. Even the most frugal folks have trouble staying under $20 doing any particular activity. The world is quite the pricey place now. But if $20 is all you have left to spend on weekend fun, here are 72 ways to drop that Harriet Tubman.

10 Cool DIY Home Improvements for $20 or Less — Is that $20 burning a hole in your pocket? Put it to good use with some simple and frugal home improvement projects. Because you really don't need to throw away big bucks on every repair or piece of decor.

$20 in Baltimore: The 20 Best Ways to Spend It — If you find yourself in Baltimore, check out one of the last remaining drive-in theaters, visit the grave of John Wilkes Booth, or take in the city from the water in the Baltimore water taxi.

10 Great Brand Name Beauty Buys Under $20 — You don't need to settle for store brand beauty products to score good deals. These brand name beauty products are top notch, and will fit right into your limited budget.

$20 in New York City: The 15 Best Ways to Spend It — Strolling around the Big Apple wondering if a gourmet coffee and a slice will deplete your funds? Never fear! You can check out the Brooklyn Bridge, see an off-Broadway play, or grab a bite from a food truck. The options are endless in this beautiful city.

$20 in Los Angeles: The 16 Best Ways to Spend It — And on the other coast is sunny LA, where the people are gorgeous and the pressed juice is in abundance. But don't waste your $20 on just one pricey juice, when you can be an audience member at a live show and still eat all the tacos.

A Dinner Party for 6: Feed 'Em for Under $20 — Hosting a dinner party is stressful, especially if you only have $20 to feed everyone! But here are some brilliant tricks to fill the bellies of your guests without going over your $20 limit.

What other brilliant ways can you stretch $20? 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:

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:

How to Save Money on Kids' Activities

Ashley Eneriz — Thu, 02 Jun 2016 09:30:24 +0000

One thing many parents have in common is that they are rushing around from one activity to another for their children. It takes a full-sized calendar to keep track of who has soccer on which day, and which kid has an upcoming dance recital. If your family juggles a lot of activities during the school year and then in the summer, you know how expensive it can get. Here are few ways to save money.

Buy Secondhand

Gently used sports equipment is surprisingly easy to find secondhand. Before you spring for new sports gear or a musical instrument, check Craigslist, eBay, thrift stores, and even your parent friends. Children often outgrow gear quickly, or they lose interest in an activity. This means you might find equipment such as cleats, shin guards, dance shoes, or a French horn in mint condition for a fraction of the cost.

My daughter is in ballet/tap class, and I am surprised at how many pairs of tap shoes I come across at the thrift store for about $1.99 each. Avoid getting any headgear used, especially bicycle helmets, for safety reasons. Also, if your child or teen is involved in a sport that requires a lot of running, new shoes will be better for their alignment and performance. (See also: 8 Things You Should Always Buy Used)

Skip the Pricey, Special Events

Certain activities will come with seasonal recitals, concerts, fundraisers, and fancy dinners. When you sign up for an activity, know upfront which events are required of you. You are not always required to participate in everything. For example, my daughter's dance studio puts on five or so performances a year, each of which might cost $30–$40 for the costume and tickets to attend. Since she is only three, it is easy to opt out of these performances. The other dance moms are a little perplexed that I would do such a thing, but my main goal is to make sure my daughter has fun and to keep my life simple with two kids under four.

As a child, my sister and I were in Taekwondo. There were always tournaments happening, and I remember wanting to go to as many as possible. Thankfully, my parents limited tournaments because, truthfully, as much as I loved doing them, they drained a lot of my time and energy (and my parents', too). When you sign up for a new activity, find out what is really required of you. If your child is still young, like mine, then feel free to forego the optional extras to save money and sanity.

Enroll in One Activity at a Time

I'm always amazed by the parents that juggle two or three or even five different activities with their children. Amazingly, I've never met a parent who actually enjoys being a human taxi to taekwondo lessons, piano lessons, and baseball games. These parents are usually the ones who are stressed out the most or are barking at their kids to hurry up and get ready for the next activity. Guess what? Your kids don't have to do it all. Pick one activity per season. If you have multiple kids have them all enrolled in one activity. If your youngest doesn't want to take soccer with the rest of your kids, then let them know that they will get to choose the activity next season.

I think as parents, we are so worried about enriching our children's lives, that we forget they need some downtime and relaxation time with us. It's okay to take a season off of youth soccer. This doesn't mean your child is automatically disqualified from future scholarships or from becoming a pro-athlete (unless of course they are close to graduation).

Get the Sibling Discount

Not only will enrolling your children in the same activity save you some time and stress, but it will also save you money. Many places offer sibling discounts, and siblings can often share equipment. If you don't see a sibling discount offered, don't hesitate to ask.

Start a Hand-Me-Down Bucket

When I first signed up my daughter for dance classes, the teacher asked all the moms if someone had outgrown ballet shoes for us. The next week, another mom brought some for me. I offered her money, but she said, "This is just what the moms do at this studio." What a resourceful way to help the whole studio.

If possible, make an announcement to the parents that you are going to start a "hand-me down bucket" or "share bucket." Pitch it as a way for them to help with the costs and to clean out their closets of outgrown gear. This works best in settings that kids use the same items each year, such as dance shoes, leotards, karate shirts, and sparring gear, etc.

Pay Ahead

Always ask about discounts for paying ahead or paying in cash. Some places might give you a discount for paying for the whole year upfront, which can save you $30–$50 that year. The dance studio my daughter is enrolled in offers a $15 discount once a year for those who pay for three months in advance.

How do you save on your kid's extracurricular activities? Share with us in the comments!

Like this article? Pin it!

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

Ask the Readers: What Is Your Favorite Weekend Activity?

Ashley Jacobs — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 15:00:06 +0000

Editor's Note: Congratulations to Guest, Allison, and Elena for winning this week's contest!

For most of us, the weekend is when we relax and recharge after a week of work. It's when we finally (and hopefully) have time to do the things we love: go on day-long outings with our favorite people, finish craft projects, or prep next week's dinners — that can be fun, too!

What is your favorite weekend activity? Are you actually able to do it every week — or would you want to? Do you prefer to have productive weekends, or do you reserve this time for rest and relaxation?

Tell us about your favorite weekend activity and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

Win 1 of 3 $20 Amazon Gift Cards

We're doing three giveaways — here's how you can win!

Mandatory Entry:

Post your answer in the comments below. One commenter will be randomly selected to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

For Extra Entries:

You can tweet about our giveaway for an extra entry. Also, our Facebook fans can get an extra entry too! Use our Rafflecopter widget for your chance to win one of the other two Amazon Gift Cards:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you're inspired to write a whole blog post OR you have a photo on flickr to share, please link to it in the comments or tweet it.

Giveaway Rules:

Contest ends Monday, March 23rd at 11:59 p.m. Pacific. Winners will be announced after March 23rd on the original post. Winners will also be contacted via email.
You can enter all three drawings — once by leaving a comment, once by liking our Facebook update, and once by tweeting.
This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered, or associated with Facebook.
You must be 18 and US resident to enter. Void where prohibited.

Good Luck!

Tell us about your favorite weekend activity and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

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

10 Ways to Beat the Sunday Night Blues

Kelly Medeiros — Fri, 16 Aug 2013 10:24:29 +0000

Sunday night can often be the pits. It’s when the reality of the week ahead sets in and the fun of the weekend disappears. If you are looking to keep your Sunday night angst at bay, here are a few ways to enjoy every last second of your weekend and leave the worry to Monday morning. (See also: 15 Ways to Have a Frugal Friday)

1. Treat Yourself to Something Delicious

Save one indulgent item for yourself on Sunday nights, so you’ll feel less bummed that the weekend is over. Whether it be a delicious dessert, a decadent hot chocolate, or perhaps a really good nightcap, knowing you’ll have a little something special to look forward to can make this night a lot better.

2. Plan a Sunday Night Event

Before I had kids and when I lived in the city, I often sprang for an economical dinner out with my friends on Sunday nights. Now that I am older with kids, an early Sunday evening, informal dinner at a friend’s house or a quick barbecue with the neighbors can extend the fun of the weekend if you feel like being social. (See also: One Pot Roast, A Week of Cheap and Delicious Lunches)

3. Designate Time For You

On the flip side to socializing, quiet time alone can also be a fantastic end to the weekend. Consider making Sunday night your time to watch your favorite show or movie, read another chapter of a book, or indulge in a magazine obsession (US Weekly anyone?).

4. Make Sunday Night Your Bath Time Ritual

Transform an ordinary Sunday night into a luxurious experience with a fabulous bubble bath. Looking forward to a weekly soak in the tub can get you relaxed for your week ahead and make Sunday night a serious chance to unwind.

5. Tackle Chores Earlier

Sunday night can often be the catchall for the things you’ve been putting off doing all weekend. Whether it be finishing up something for work or doing loads of laundry for the kids’ week at school, try checking at least a few items off your list earlier in the weekend, so as not to feel overwhelmed come Sunday evening.

6. Meditate

Give meditation a chance, especially if you’re not that familiar with it. It can certainly help you from obsessing about all the things coming up this week if you find your stress level rising on Sunday nights. To learn more about meditation, check out Zen Habits. Once you get the hang of it, the benefits can be tremendous.

7. Have Fun With Hobbies

Make your Sunday nights the time to partake in your favorite hobbies. Crafts, writing, music, or dare I say, video games, can allow you to get lost in the flow, and take your mind off of things. Or, if it’s not too late, head outside for a little bit with a friend or the kids to shoot hoops or play catch. (See also: 7 Free Ways to Get Out of the House)

8. Aim to Go to Sleep Early

Don’t allow yourself to fall into the trap of turning in too late on Sunday nights. This is not the night to jam in another task or waste precious sleep time watching one last show — that is, unless it’s football season and the Sunday night game is good or celebrity award season is in full swing. (See also: 5 Effective Sleep Tips You Haven't Tried Yet)

9. Organize Your Week

Contrary to escaping the reality of Sunday night, for those Type A’s like me, sitting down to organize the week ahead may actually make you feel more in control. Just make sure not to dwell on all the details, but rather stick to general things, like planning schedules, to help make you feel more prepared.

10. Don’t End Vacations on Sundays

While this may not be a choice for everyone, if you can swing it, coming home on Monday vs. Sunday will certainly kick your usual Sunday night blues. Flights and travel are often cheaper and easier on Mondays, and it will leave you with the chance to celebrate for at least one Sunday night.

While Sunday night is an inevitable part of the week, it doesn’t have to be a total bummer. Taking steps to head off the Sunday blues can make life easier and more fun. And if all else fails, Friday is only five more days away.

How do you deal with the Sunday night blues?

Like this article? Pin it!

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