Living Large on a Budget: 4 Ways to Indulge Without Going Broke
We’ve all felt a budget crunch. When life throws you a curveball, it’s sometimes necessary to look at options to cut costs. There’s no need to worry, though. With some smart budgeting and a good knowledge of what is happening in your community, you can cut costs on your hobbies. Here are some suggestions to keep you started.
Using the Public Library
Libraries may not seem cool in the public’s imagination, but for fans of media, a library card is a passport to huge savings on entertainment. In addition to a lot of books by the latest authors, most modern libraries carry a range of DVD and CD products for your watching and listening enjoyment. Some libraries even have video games, for the hardcore gamer on a budget. And the best part is that as long as you don’t miss your due dates, checking out items from the library is free. Visit yours today and make the most of your tax dollars.
Grow Plants for Food
Image via Flickr by Jevgenijs Slihto
Perhaps you’re more the outdoor type. If your idea of a great afternoon is crawling in the dirt, planting seeds, and pulling weeds, you should look into what you plant, with an eye to find a growable crop that can feed your belly as well as your soul. Herbs are a great place to start; instead of spending money buying prepackaged, and likely not fresh, herbs at the supermarket, you can always have a stock of your favorites close at hand. More advanced projects like growing fruits and vegetables need more space and more knowledge, but is doable with the right preparation.
Switching from Smoking to Vaping
For those who don’t yet know, vaping is the new alternative to tobacco smoking. Vaping gear, like the Vaporcade Jupiter, is cheaper than a tobacco habit, and moreover, is healthier, making it one of the best bargains in the world. The ability to gradually adjust down the nicotine in your vaporizer helps you get rid of your old cigarettes with a minimum of pain. Moreover, once you’ve learned what kinds of vaping you enjoy, you can save further money by doing things like mixing your own vaporizer chemicals, or e-liquid, and setting up your own coils for optimal power use.
Look into Community Sports Facilities
If you like lifting and making three-pointers, you should look at whether your community has any sporting facilities that are open to the public. Fitness is a basic part of human life, and needing to cut expenses shouldn’t get in the way. While a gym is certainly fun and convenient, you can save money by playing your pickup games on public courts instead of at a pricey facility. You can replace time spent running on indoor tracks and treadmills by hiking, as long as the weather agrees with you.
Free or cheap doesn’t mean bad. Adhering to a budget need not mean that you never have any fun. Just take an honest look at your pastimes, make decisions about where to put the money you do have, and plan for your better life today.
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