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Ways to stick to your budget and enjoy your summer

We believe it is important to take time to do the things you enjoy. Even when you are trying to stick to a budget.

Over the summer, you might feel extra pressure from friends and family to go out and do things with them. But not all summer activities are affordable.

There are lots of creative ways for you to spend time with loved ones without spending a lot of money. Below we explore a few ways to do this, which might even help you think of more ideas of your own.

Saying no to plans without the guilt

It can be hard to say no to your friends when they try to make plans with you. But sometimes, it is better to say no and stick to your budget.

Remember, you are not the only person who is living on a budget. Good friends will understand if you say 'I can't afford to do this right now'. They might even suggest doing something else that is affordable for everyone.

You don't have to say no to everything either. Choose the things you would like to do carefully, and budget for those situations. You might be able to find vouchers or special offers that can save you money in some cases.

Finding ways to spend time with loved ones while on a budget

When you are trying to stick to a budget, it can be hard to say no to friends when they invite you to things.

You might feel peer pressure to go along with plans. You may even feel guilt and fear of missing out when you turn down plans.

You don't have to turn down invitations. Try offering alternative suggestions to plans you are invited to. Suggest something cheaper and just as (or even more) enjoyable.

Many people will be understanding if you are worried about spending. And while you might think you are the only one who is trying to avoid spending too much, that probably is not true.

The costs soon add up for all these days or nights out. As well as tickets (which can get very pricey), and parking or transport, you also have to factor in booking fees, snacks and more.

Save on cinema tickets, parking or transport and snacks at the cinema.

There are lots of ways you can make a movie night at home extra special, such as:

  • Getting creative and decorating your space to the theme of the movie
  • Asking your friends to make movie-themed snacks or drinks to bring along with them
  • Playing movie bingo. You could make a set of bingo sheets with popular tropes, phrases and scenes from the movie you are watching, or look online to see if someone has already made some

These types of activities are usually ticketed or need to be pre-booked. You may have to pay booking fees on top of paying for the actual tickets.

Instead, you can offer to host a games night at home. There are lots of different types of games you can choose from, like:

  • Board games
  • Multiplayer video games
  • Party games
  • Card games

Karaoke booths are not cheap, even when you split the cost with friends.

A simple way to enjoy karaoke for free is to bring karaoke to your living room. It is really easy and costs nothing extra. You don't even need a microphone. And on top of that:

  • There are thousands of karaoke tracks you can find for free on YouTube that might not have been available at the karaoke booth
  • There is no time limit for how long you can sing with your friends

Come Dine With Me is a popular TV show where a group of people take turns to host a dinner party at their home. The host is tasked with deciding on a three-course menu, cooking the dinner, and organising entertainment for their guests.

This can be a fun way to spend time with your friends, enjoy some good food and save money. You may even get to try some dishes that you have never had before.

And you take it in turns to host.

Focus on your health and wellbeing

Summer is a great time of year to focus on your physical and mental health. While the sun is out, make time to take care of yourself. You can do this alone or invite friends and family to join you.

When the weather is good, make the most of being outside. There are lots of free ways to spend time outdoors and soak up some sun:

  • Visit your local park: Take the dog for a walk, get some steps in, or sunbathe on a nice patch of grass. You could even pack a picnic
  • Get into hiking: Look online for local, beginner-friendly trails. Discover new places in your area that you can visit with no cost
  • Go for a bike ride: If you prefer biking to walking, you can search online for local bike tracks. Or use your bike as your preferred mode of transport over the summer

If you are interested in improving your fitness, summer is a great time to start. While the weather is good, there are lots of workout options you can try without having to pay for a gym membership.

  • Get involved in parkruns: These are free community running events where you can run, jog or walk at your own pace. It is suitable for all fitness levels
  • Find free workouts on YouTube: There are many fitness-focussed content creators on YouTube that post their workouts online for free. You can find videos on yoga, martial arts, pilates, high intensity interval training (HIIT) and more. Try looking for videos where you don't need to own any special equipment
  • Couch to 5k: This is a free NHS-approved app that helps you build up your cardio fitness from the very beginning. Perfect for people who have never tried running before
  • Find outdoor gyms near you: Some local parks offer outdoor gyms that you can use for free. Try searching for outdoor gyms in your area

If you find that you have more free time over the summer months, you could try learning a new skill. Below we have some suggestions that are free or cheap and can have a positive impact on your mental health.

  • Learn to draw: Drawing is a great way to manage your mental health, and it can be done anywhere. There are lots of free how-to videos online that can teach you how to draw all kinds of different things
  • Learn to cook: Whether you are a beginner at cooking or already experienced, there are lots of recipes that you can find online for all skill levels
  • Find volunteering opportunities: Volunteering is very rewarding and there are many ways to do it. You will develop a range of useful skills and meet new people along the way

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