If you’re like me, you know that weekends can add up quickly, especially with kids. But even if you are single or you have a significant other – no matter what the situation, weekends usually mean some kind of spending. Whether you are trying to save money or you don’t have any money to spare, sometimes taking a step back and not spending at all is a good way to go.
One strategy to try when you’re looking to reduce expenses is to try a no-spend weekend!
Enjoy the outdoors
Unless the weather is terrible, chances are that you can find a way to enjoy the outdoors for free. This could be a local hike, bike ride, visit a farm, walk through your neighborhood, and so on. You could also try a backyard campout!
Fridge / pantry / freezer cleanout
You can skip on the eating out for the weekend. Chances are you can skip a trip to the grocery store, too! Most of us have plenty to use in our pantry, fridge, or freezer. We tend to let things accumulate, or you can just go low-budget for a couple days and simply use up what you have on hand. I personally get frustrated at all the things that seem to never get eaten in the pantry, so now is the time to make the effort to eat those things.
Do some cooking / baking
Speaking of those neglected foods in the kitchen, see if you can find some ingredients to bake something! You can usually put together something with simple ingredients if you do not have a well-stocked fridge.
Game / movie night
A game night is an easy way to enjoy an evening without spending money. If you don’t have a suitable game, you can borrow one from a friend. Or you can have a movie night. If you don’t pay for a streaming service, you can still find free movies online.
Have a picnic
Get outdoors with some food. You can also incorporate a hike or walk into this as well – make a day of it!
Do some decluttering
If you are making the effort to go frugal for a weekend, it can be a good weekend to declutter. You could donate some items, or find items to sell.Â
This is a nice opportunity to list some items on Facebook Marketplace and make a little extra money.
Read / visit the library
Maybe you don’t always make the time to enjoy a good book. The library has lots of great free items, from books to magazines, audio books, and other items to enjoy. Our library has a “Library of Things”, from games to fishing poles.
Visit a museum or nature center
You can usually find a museum or nature center that is free or cheap. Our library offers free museum passes. Some museums offer free admission, such as the NYC Natural History Museum. Nature centers are often free, and can be a great place for kids to spend time exploring and learning new things.
Volunteer, donate, or do random acts of kindness
Your time can be spent by helping others. Clean out items to donate, or find an organization that can use your volunteer help. You can also come up with some ideas for random acts of kindness, such as helping someone with yard work or baking something for someone.
Work on a house project
While working on your home may not be the most fun, it is nice to complete something and be able to feel better about your indoor or outdoor spaces. For example, clean out your garden or trim your hedges to make your home have better curb appeal.
Thank you so much for sharing. I think its important to create these type of memories for families, especially larger one. You’ve shared so really great ideas.
Thanks for giving us this idea. Memories are the best to remember, no need to spend so much to make it!
Absolutely, a no-spend weekend is a fantastic idea! Weekends often tempt us to spend, and it’s true whether you’re single, in a relationship, or have a family. Taking a pause to cut back on expenses can be both a money-saving and refreshing experience. It’s surprising how many enjoyable activities and quality time with loved ones can be found without spending a dime. This blog post is a great reminder that financial well-being and fun don’t always have to go hand in hand.
Great ideas! Not every weekend has to be about spending big. I love these ideas for spending some downtime and enjoying the company. I think spending time outdoors is always a good idea!
I loooove the ideas…I love what you mentioned about the no spend weekends, I need to do that for sure. Great idea.
We have a lot of no-spend weekends. It is amazing how creative you can get and how much fun you can have without spending anything.
yep. thanks
I will definitely do one of these activities this weekend, haha – a college student trying to save some money! 🙂
Great ideas. We try and get out for walks most weekends with the kids. I am currently also trying to declutter and sell some of our un-needed things!
These are great things to do for a no spend weekend, I definittely plan to have a clear out of cupboardds and freezer. Perfect ideas now the weather is getting colder
Some great ideas to not overspend on family weekends. I love the idea of cleaning out our freezer and coming up with a creative meal!
The concept of a no-spend weekend is brilliant. It’s often challenging to balance family fun and budget, but your article provides a fantastic roadmap for enjoying quality time without spending money. I particularly liked the suggestion of enjoying the outdoors, from hikes to backyard campouts. Nature is a fantastic, cost-free playground for kids and adults alike.
All these are great ideas. Thank you for sharing all these with us. Very helpful to all parents.
A no spend weekend that keeps you busy is nice to do. I love to enjoy the outdoors and it can help relax the mind as well as give a workout.
These are all such fun ideas! I love spending this kind of time with family. It’s all about each other and not buying something or going somewhere.
These ideas are so good! My favorite is enjoy the outdoors and visit a museum. I will do it this weekend. Thanks!
This blog post is a great reminder of the importance of budgeting and being mindful of our spending habits, especially on weekends. It’s a common experience for many that weekends can lead to unnecessary expenses. The suggestion of a “no-spend weekend” is an excellent way to reset and reevaluate our financial priorities. It’s a simple but effective strategy to save money and practice financial discipline, no matter what your personal situation may be. A valuable tip for anyone looking to be more financially responsible!
It’s easy for me to have a no-spend weekend because there’s nothing to spend, lolol. I wish I was kidding. 🙂 These are great ideas though to help those who are saving.
Ohh we are looking to spend less money but I do get bored so easily! A freezer cleanout sounds like a productive and money-saving idea. Thank you for all of these.
These are great things to do for a weekend when you’re on a budget! Loved all your ideas! I definitely plan to work on cleaning and decluttering!
Absolutely love your idea of your a no-spend weekend here, I’m gonna replicate each of yours to make my upcoming weekends time planner . Thanks! Cheers SiennyLovesDrawing
I love a no spend weekend but they can be hard, especially when you have kids around!