A friend invites you for an evening out or a weekend away that you just can’t afford. Which of the following responses sounds the most like yours?<\/p>\n
All three strategies are problematical:<\/p>\n
That’s why I’d like to suggest a fourth strategy: Compromise.<\/strong> Specifically, to propose less-spendy (but still fun) ways to socialize.<\/p>\n You shouldn’t have to decline time with friends just because their usual ideas for diversion involve serious spending. It works the other way, too: By suggesting fun outside of restaurants and bars, you don’t put financial stress on a BFF who hasn’t got the do-re-mi.<\/p>\n Some people seem to think that folks on a budget can never have fun. I disagree. In fact, I believe that sometimes you ought to spend money even if you think you shouldn’t<\/a>.<\/p>\n But not all the time, and certainly not if you’re already barely making book. (Hi there, all you startled new grads! Wasn’t it fun to get that college loan repayment schedule? And isn’t ramen yummy?)<\/p>\n Obviously there are far more possibilities than I could list in one article. Here are 22 options to get you started.<\/p>\n Restaurant lite.<\/strong> Your foodie friends love trying new places. You can afford to do this maybe once a month. Alternate strategy: Arrange to meet them for coffee and dessert two or three (or more) times a month.<\/p>\n Wine tasting.<\/strong> Provide one bottle and some snacks and ask a few friends to bring sips to share. It doesn’t have to be pricey plonk; there are some pretty affordable wines<\/a> out there.<\/p>\n Picnic.<\/strong> Come on, it’s summer. Hit a city park or hike to the back of beyond, carrying vittles. Variation: Cookout in someone’s back yard.<\/p>\n Dessert buffet.<\/strong> Invite everyone to bring over his favorite sweet. You’ll all be half-sick before the evening is over, but who cares?<\/p>\n A happier happy hour.<\/strong> Search for bars that serve half-price (or free!) snacks in the early evening. Look for deals with help from apps\/sites like BiteHunter or Cheapism<\/a>.<\/p>\n The potluck<\/a>.<\/strong> A win-win: Everybody gets fed, but no one person has to do all the cooking.<\/p>\n Social buying.<\/strong> Groupon<\/a>, Living Social, City Deals and other daily deal companies offer 50%-off vouchers for sporting events, outdoor activities, live entertainment and other fun stuff. Groupon and City Deals can be accessed through cash-back shopping sites like Extrabux, Fat Wallet or Mr. Rebates for additional savings of up to 6%.<\/p>\n Coupon books.<\/strong> National ones like The Entertainment Book or local publications such as Seattle’s Chinook Book are full of buy-one-get-one offers to all sorts of things. Note: The Entertainment Book is also available through those cash-back sites, for savings of up to 35%.<\/p>\n Discounted gift cards<\/a>.<\/strong> Mostly I get movie gift cards at 15% to 20% off. Chain restaurants, from Big Boy to Ruth’s Chris, are well represented.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Game night.<\/strong> You can get cutthroat and serious about this, i.e., actually keep score. Or just be a bunch of friends enjoying favorite games. (Don’t own any? Look in thrift stores<\/a> and yard sales<\/a>.)<\/p>\n Open mic.<\/strong> Coffeehouses, bookstores and bars host them. The results could be stellar or ghastly, but either one gives you something to talk about afterward.<\/p>\n Group activities.<\/strong> Sites like MeetUp<\/a>, BigTent and GroupSpaces<\/a> will put you in touch with casual clutches of folks who enjoy a huge variety of fun stuff. Join with a friend and learn everything from geocaching to cake decorating.<\/p>\n Go swimming.<\/strong> City pools. Public beaches. Bring sunscreen.<\/p>\n Learn a new language.<\/strong> Sites like Word2Word<\/a> and LearnALanguage.com<\/a> will get you started. Choose a language with a friend or friends, then watch a movie in that language (get it free from the library). Or do it with an eye toward traveling to that country some day.<\/p>\n Book signings.<\/strong> Can’t afford to buy? Listen to the author talk, then.<\/p>\n The big game.<\/strong> Suggest a sports-watching party at the apartment\/home of whoever has the best television. Your contribution could be popcorn, the world’s cheapest snack, with intriguing flavors like Bombay Masala, dilly lemon, black sesame mustard and chipotle lime.<\/p>\n Start a club.<\/strong> Personal finance club. Book club. Dryer lint sculpting society. Whatever floats your boat.<\/p>\n<\/span>Eat, drink and be merry<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>Diversion at a discount<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>Low- or no-cost fun<\/span><\/h2>\n