6 Ways to Enjoy Life – For Free

We all like to get free stuff. Free helps you save money, leaving more in the banking – working on your behalf. It’s easy to forget some of the options we have available to us when it comes to getting free stuff. Here are 6 ways to enjoy what life has to offer without paying anything:

1. Home Entertainment: TV Shows

So far, I haven’t had luck convincing my husband to give up the satellite TV (he likes the sports too much). However, I know that if I could convince him, we’d be able to enjoy our favorite TV shows for free. First of all, you can get your local channels for free. Many TV stations also have high definition over the air. So, as long as your TV has an HD tuner on it, you can get local HD TV for free.

You can get access to free TV shows on Hulu.com, and many cable networks provide their TV shows for free online. Watch on your computer, or use your TV or gaming console to help you watch without paying for TV.

If you want free movies, you can try checking them out at your library. Many public libraries offer access to movies, and even TV show series. If you don’t mind paying a little bit, you can rent movies from Redbox for only $1 a night, or pay for an online streaming service that charges a relatively low rate.

2. Eating Out: Free Food

You can enjoy free food at restaurants in a number of ways. Many restaurant chains have “eat free” days at least once a year. You might limited in terms of what you can choose from, but it’s free. You can also sign up to receive free food on your birthday. And, of course, you can also look for “kids eat free” deals. You can avoid paying for your child’s meal if you pay for your own.

In addition to eating free food at restaurants, you can also attend events that provide free food. There are usually plenty of community events that offer free food, or operate on a potluck principle. You can bring something to share with everyone, and then receive free food in return. This can be a fun way to get out of the house, meet new friends, and sample tasty food – for free.

3. Culture and Arts: Museums and Exhibitions

Keep an ear to the ground about free exhibitions in your town. Many communities offer free summer concerts in the evenings, or offer free community plays. There are art galleries and museums that offer free admission. Even they don’t offer free admission year round, there are some that have special days once a week, each month, or every year that anyone can get in free. Check to see what’s available in your area.

You can also take advantage local historical sites. Learn about your area’s history and enjoy a fun family outing. Many of us forget about the historical sites in our hometowns. You can visit these sites, learn something, and enjoy a little local culture. Some historical sites feature demonstrations and activities.

If you live in a college town, take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy student exhibitions and recitals. These are often free, and can provide you with a nice evening out. Even if they aren’t free, most of these student exhibitions are very low cost, costing only a few dollars for attendance.

4. Outings: Enjoy the Great Outdoors

Perhaps the best way to enjoy life for free is to spend time outdoors. My son and I love to picnic. We make a lunch at home, then head to the park. After we’re done eating, he can enjoy the playground equipment, and I can enjoy a book on the park bench. And, of course, there are a number of great outdoor activities to enjoy, from bike riding, to hiking, to water activities. Find out what’s available near your home, and enjoy an afternoon in the great outdoors.

You can even go camping for free if you have the right equipment. There are some campgrounds that don’t charge, and others that charge very little. Consider what you can do outside, from nature walks to window shopping in your town’s downtown, and you might find an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.

5. Staying In: Family Fun at Home

Staying in doesn’t have to automatically mean movie night with the family. There are plenty of fun and free things to do at home. If you like being outside, go out for a fun family game of baseball, basketball, badminton, hide and seek or croquet. Do outdoor chores as a family. It’s more fun to tend the garden or rake leaves when you do it together.

If you are staying in, you can play games together. Get some snacks out and play board games, or have a game of charades. Put together a puzzle. You can go on a scavenger hunt around the house, or cook dinner together. Even young kids can help with food prep. There is no reason why you can’t do some things together as a family to enjoy your time at home. In many cases, it is these great memories that you can make together that will stick with you and help you enjoy life more.

6. Lifelong Learning: Classes and Books

Learning new things can provide your life with purpose and enjoyment. If you want to learn a new skill, see if you can find a class for it. Many retailers, including Home Depot and Michael’s offer free classes on different subjects. Sporting goods stores sometimes offer clinics and maintenance classes. A local kitchen supply store, and a local grocery store, both offer free cooking classes. If you want to learn something new, check to see what classes are available at no cost to you.

Even if you can’t attend a free class, you can get access to free books. The Gutenberg Project offers free books for download (most are classics whose copyrights have expired). You can also find many free audiobooks online, and free ebooks. And, of course, you can find almost anything at the public library. Many libraries even offer ebook rentals.

What’s your favorite free way to enjoy life?