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How to have fun on the cheap
Having fun on the cheap
Search: Entertaining yourself for free
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By Jasmine Birtles, financial expert from moneymagpie.com
If you're strapped for cash, saving up, or simply fed up of forking out a fortune on overpriced food and entertainment for yourself or for the family, here's our guide to a wallet-free weekend:
Be loyal
Now is the time to use up your Tesco Clubcard and Nectar loyalty points. For example £6 worth of Clubcard vouchers will pay for one child to visit Legoland. If you've 2,000 points on your Nectar card, you get one adult entrance to the Eden project in Cornwall.
There are also money-off deals on meals - although specific terms and conditions will apply. For these deals and more go to www.nectar.com or www.tesco.com.
Get cultured
Museums and galleries across the UK are often free or at least cheap, and they are increasingly trying to encourage families to discover something new, unique and unexpected in their neighbourhood. Check out the 24 hour museum website to find out about special events and offers.
Get out and about
If you live near a stately home or park, chances are there's an event on. The National Trust has plenty of ideas for you and your family on its website. If you're not keen on forking out the entrance fee just take a picnic and something to read and spend time in the gardens.
Most large stately homes have amazing grounds that you could spend the whole day in quite happily.
Eat drink and be merry - on the cheap
Why not get your mates round for a meal, with a difference. One of you brings a starter, the other a main course and someone else a dessert. You could provide the drinks, nibbles and ambience.
A gourmet meal without the a la carte prices, or nearly so much effort! Add in a DVD of something none of you has seen yet and it's a whole evening's entertainment for very little cash.
Fun in the sun
If you live near a local park, get out those tennis/badminton and baseball bats. It's a great way to get fit and have fun. You could even take a lesson in one of them if your local authority is running classes. They tend to be much cheaper than private ones and you meet local people too. Or, club together with friends and hire a coach together. It's much cheaper and could be a good way to help each other learn.
Get fit
Why not go for a cycle ride, a long walk or even a roller-blading session. Take a picnic with you so you aren't tempted to hit the nearest pub for lunch. If you've been planning on starting that summer beach regime head to your local leisure centre.
For as little as £3 you could kick start your get fit regime, or of alternatively you could try out a posh gym for free - Cannons Gyms are offering free trial days and you could have one now.
Entertain yourself
Watch all those free DVDs you've been collecting from newspapers.
Catch up on friends and relatives you haven't spoken to for a while - some telephone companies - such as BT - allow you to make calls for free at the weekend either on your landline or your mobile, depending on your tariff.
Get planting
Now's the time to make your garden look beautiful. Get your youngsters to help you plant those tomato seeds that have been gathering dust in the shed. If you are friendly with your neighbours, see if you can swap cuttings to increase the variety of plants in your garden for free.
Sell your stuff
Use Amazon, eBay or even car boot sales. Use the money for a good weekend away later on.
Make friends with your local library
It's free and has a lot more than just books nowadays. Not only that, but if we don't use them more we could lose them. Pick out a new book to read, or a talking book to be read to you.
See what CDs, DVDs and videos are available. Some of these things you have to rent but they're usually cheaper than rental shops.
Jasmine Birtles is from moneymagpie.com - the website that gives you a richer life.
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