Money Free Weekend

Make This Weekend a Money-Free Weekend

Posted by on July 28, 2011 in Empower Yourself

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On an average weekday, I spend roughly five dollars on breakfast, ten dollars on lunch, and a couple bucks on a snack or mid-afternoon Red Bull. That comes to about $85 a week in controlled, regulated, monitored spending. But when the weekend strikes, my self-control hits an inevitable wall.

Last Saturday morning, I was appalled to check my account and see $80 had vanished as a result of reckless spending Friday night. Hey, I’m young. But that sense of immaturity gave way to an experiment: The Money-Free Weekend.

I stumbled upon this post from The Simple Dollar, another personal finance blog, titled, “100 Things to Do During a Money-Free Weekend.” I was hooked on the idea immediately.

The theme of the suggestions follows the idiom, “Time is money.” Instead of spending money, spend time in personal fulfillment. You could get your finances in order (#4), play “Calvinball” with your kids (#54), or, if all else fails, take a relaxing bath (#88).

A Money-Free Weekend is really about finding creative ways to spend your time without needing to spend any money. For some, the habitual fixer-uppers and do-it-yourselfers, many of these tips will be no-brainers. But for others, like me, suggestions are always welcome.

So this weekend, when I’m thinking about going to Harry Potter, maybe I’ll just swap DVDs with a friend (#82); instead of watching hours of TV, maybe I’ll take advantage of MIT’s OpenCourseWare (#23).

And when my debit card starts to itch, I know where I can look to get tips to keep my Money-Free Weekend on track.

Have you challenged yourself to a Money-Free Weekend? How would you spend your time? Share your story in the comments section below and help a fellow saver.

Photo: Debs

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  • Christydaum

    run at the park, cut the grass, swim

  • Laurie

    We always look for free stuff to do.  We have as much fun doing free as we do paying for it – sometimes more!  LOL!  Most communities have websites that tell you what’s going on in town and we look for free stuff to do.  Our library puts on plays and shows free movies each month.  And don’t forget to look at what’s going on at church.  This summer our church has Family Fridays with $1 hot dogs and popcorn, movies, game night, ice cream night.
    It’s fun to look for free stuff to do and you’ll always find something.  We’ve done things that we might not have otherwise done and have found it can be an adventure.

  • http://twitter.com/applecsmith Carrie Smith

    This is an awesome idea! I’m going to join you for a money-free weekend, sounds like a great challenge!

    I love to spend money during the week on food and snacks too…minus the Red Bull ;)

  • http://Twitter.com/KylePs80 Kyle Psaty

    Great point, Laurie, 
    You don’t need to wait for a special weekend to go money-free. All you need are some solid resources and regular staples to keep your weekend budget low. 

    Thanks for the inspiration to do this regularly and not just as a special occasion. 

    -Kyle

    Kyle Psaty
    PerkStreet Financial