No-spend Weekend

Need to save money but don’t want to sit at home, bored? Simple! Have a no-spend weekend.

The concept of a no-spend weekend is simple; spend no money on take away food or activities during a weekend and instead do free activities to fill up your time. It’s a great way to save money, and also check out free things in your local area that you may overlook.

Here are some ideas for a no-spend weekend:

Look up any free museums, art galleries, or performances that are happening in your area! It can be a great way to expand your horizons and check out something new. I personally love visiting the Ulster Museum in Belfast, and the Botanic Gardens which surround it are beautiful – both of which are completely free to visit.
If the weather is good, go for a walk. Take photos of scenic sites, and enjoy the beauty of nature. Walking can be a really good way to unwind and de-stress! You may spot some animals or pretty flowers, which you can spend a little bit of time photographing.
Have a movie night! It’s a great way to relax for free. If you don’t have on-demand services or Netflix, record a movie that’s on over the weekend to watch in your spare time, or schedule your afternoon or evening around whatever time it’s on at. You could even work on a blanket fort of epic proportions to watch your movie from!
A no-spend weekend can be a great opportunity to read a good book. Check out your local library, and if you’re not already registered it’s usually quick and easy to do so.
Make a bucket list! Research places you want to travel and things you want to do. This can give you a longer-term goal to look forward to during no-spend weekends!
Why not spend a couple of hours volunteering in your local area? Whether you organise a litter pick-up session, or spend some time working in a charity shop, you can make a real difference just by giving a little bit of your time!
If you have a pet, spend some quality time with them! If you don’t, why not check out borrowmydoggy.com? You sign up and look through owners in your local area, and request to spend time with their dog. It allows individuals who may be too poorly at the moment to walk their dog or to give them all of the attention they deserve to know that their furry friend is being well taken care of. While he can be an absolute terror to walk (I promise we took him to puppy classes, he just doesn’t care), I love taking Charlie to new places. It’s so much fun to try a new park or walking area and it makes me smile when I see him so happy!
You could check out Pinterest and try some craft or baking activities with things you already have. If you have clothes that are in too poor of a condition to be donated to charity, why not cut them up and use them in DIY project to give them a new lease of life? If you’re not Pinterest savvy (like me), it can be hilarious to document your attempts at some of the craft ideas people have posted!