This is an anonymous post from an Elpha member.

Low-budget or free ways of winding down

Posted in:Health & Wellness Lifestyle Society & Culture Money

Hi all!

For those on a tight budget or looking to be more money-wise, what are some of your favorite activities to do in your spare time that help add variety to your day without spending a lot of money (or ideally, free)?

I'm trying to get creative and need some inspo!

rachellevysarfin·May 22

It depends on what you want to do. I get 10K steps a day. I also took up adult coloring (which has gotten more expensive than I imagined, when you include the cost of the coloring pages, the pencils I bought, the sharpener I bought... :-D). I also love reading--yay for libraries!

Iynna·May 22

YES to libraires :) what do you like reading the most?

rachellevysarfin·May 22

I have a soft spot for murder mysteries, actually, and in the past couple of years, I've been reading romantic comedies. How about you, @iynna

Iynna·May 22

oh fun! any favourites?I am a big non fiction gal, a lot of those personal development/self help books haha

rachellevysarfin·May 22

I'm a big fan of Faye Kellerman. Michael Connelly has a great series with a female detective (Renee Ballard) that has a new book coming out in November.

Anh153·May 23

aw i love this! ahah i feel you on the costs just creeping up on you.. i recently took up embroidery and it's still quite low budget but there's an initial stocking up on color threads that can quickly get out of hand I've noticed!

kaitlingraham·May 22

I have a lot of free/cheap hobbies! I like to go on walks, do youtube workouts (dance/pilates from EmkFit, GrowithJo, and Moves with Nicole are my fav), knit, do DIY projects, and read :)

Iynna·May 22

I did SO much Move with Nicole during lockdown haha to the point that her voice really annoys me 😵‍💫 hahaWhat are your favourite DIY projects? totally separate but seeing you're into knitting, have you seen this: https://elpha.com/posts/c9uivms7/crafters-i-need-your-help-please-take-my-behavioral-survey :)

kaitlingraham·May 23

😅 I can see how it could get annoying lolI like to do crafty projects, like scrapbooking, jewelry making, and painting old furniture :)

Iynna·May 23

hahaha! thank you for validating me here 😅Wow that sounds so fun, you're so creative! what kind of jewels? do you then gift them or wear them for yourself?

kaitlingraham·May 24

I've made some simple bracelets with beads and string that I've hand since I was a little kid! It's fun to make things :) I keep them for myself lol

Iynna·May 25

super cute! now you have kandies to wear at raves hehe

Iynna·May 22

I love free/cheap hobbies! Walking (or running) is one of them :) I have had the chance to live in big cities which I love because there's always something to do! When I was in NYC, I'd just step outside and have the opportunity to do something free or cheap especially during the summer months. Are you more of an artsy, sportsy girlie? or what type of things do you like doing?

livya·May 22

I love doing Hip Hop Step classes. Or Grow with Jo workouts. I get both from YouTube and they’re all free.There’s something about throwing my body around to music before the day that really boosts my mood :)

aatikaseedat·May 22

I love borrowing books from my local library! I also like listening to/ watching meditation videos/ audios. And one of my most favourite cheap hobbies is journaling, don't need anything fancy just a notebook and pen!

Susana8aSobie·May 23

I listen to podcasts; talk show type (smartless is my fav) or leadership but mostly true crime. Walking helps me quite a bit. I recently got a FitBit so that’s helping make sure I get moving. I read and I find a funny tv show to help me laugh. A friend took up crocheting to help her calm down.

Iynna·May 23

Sounds like you and @rachellevysarfin will have a lot to talk about given your common interest in true crime etc. :)

melissaghwhite·May 23

I like walking my dog every day. We have some great trails here in Colorado so we typically walk a 5K a day. Walking around also got me into bird watching. I got a bird identification book and have been checking off the birds I see (Great Horned Owl, Red Tailed Hawk, Northern Flicker, Pelican, Great Blue Heron, etc.). I also write poetry (more for mental health), write recipe cards of meals I have tried and enjoyed (can share with friends and family), and do yoga on my back porch (more sunshine, less bugs than yoga in the yard).

Iynna·May 23

Aw so cute! what's your dog's breed :D

melissaghwhite·May 24

Pitbull! She's my walking buddy. Her name is Helles.

allisonk·May 23

I like learning languages and there are great Youtube videos out there to learn just about any language (check out TPRS method). I made some good friends by exchanging languages, too. Building a skill is a great way to use ones spare time :)

KQ·May 28

Do you have a channel you’d recommend?

allisonk·May 28

Sure, What language do you want to learn? :)

KQ·May 28

All of them.

allisonk·May 29

haha! I know that feeling.I enjoy video games and I'm learning Korean, so I watch a lot of this guy's videos: https://www.youtube.com/@ComprehensibleInputKorean

bridgetcogley·May 31

Talk to Me in Korean is also a great resource. How to Learn Korean is a website that's free to use and they have an app that is a reasonable price.

lisaschulze·May 23

I also love to read! I mostly do e-books and audiobooks through my library, Libby and Hoopla are both great apps for this. Also, Instagram and TikTok both have great book communities (booktok and bookstagram) to find book and author recommendations, and friends!

Iynna·May 23

Libby FTW!!!

ImaniBK·May 23

I like doing yoga, but not with classes. There's a lot of free yoga videos on youtube, and some don't even require the mat. Some night time yoga routines could be done right on your bed before you sleep. It's a nice way to relax.

Iynna·May 23

Oh like @kaitlingraham with Move with Nicole! :D

ImaniBK·May 24

Yeah! Exactly :)

cllisaleung·May 24

In order of least to most $: I sketch, make focaccia, and play board games!Sketch: objects that interest me, dynamic movies and scenes; it helps me develop my observational skillsFocaccia: you'll need to buy flour, yeast, and olive oil, but it's super simple and delicious Board games: on the more expensive side, but you can play by yourself or with friends!

lisamendez·May 25

Major book worm here. Reading books from the library is my go to. The possibilities are endless. I also have searched when my city has free museum days for a change of pace.

marieofvenus·May 25

I love starting my morning on the deck, book in one hand, coffee in the other. It helps me set the mental tone for the day. I enjoy listening to the birds. I love to walk, and I love to walk-n-talk with friends. Anything that requires being outside lights me up, whether in the forest, in a park, on the beach, or in the sun. I love to learn - so all things books, podcast and articles fill my cup. There's a lot of art in my general area, so riding around or walking downtown and taking in all the beautification projects brings me joy too. Creating connection with others makes me happy, whether with myself or between others. I love to paddleboard.. Cardio drumming is the most fun I've had in decades. There are a lot of free fitness classes, locally. I love attending them with a friend, and finding a way to move while not taking ourselves so seriously.

KQ·May 28

I’ve been doing this face yoga: https://youtu.be/4SBoTzwSQB8?si=bvatLqZ0TkXQPrV1Kundalini is also amazing. I’m in life force academy which I highly recommend. It’s a membership $29/month, I believe. But also there’s kundalini lounge on YT.Amber lightbulbs at dusk to help the eyes naturally wind down.

Ruthie89·May 28

Cooking! If you can make several parts of your meal, it provides mental dexterity and a delicious outcome, plus it’s far cheaper than dining out or getting delivery. For instance, last night I had salmon cakes. First, I made the cakes. Then I prepped the broccoli and asparagus for the side dish, followed by the rice. With cooking time, it took about 90 minutes. (I made enough for two meals, which stretched the cost even more.)

marieofvenus·May 28

Cooking, yes!!! Food is medicine, and so is cooking! How did I forget this one?!? Infusing the whole process with love, then indulging and marinating in the beauty of the process AND the joy and nourishment it brings.....

sagha·May 28

Others have great ideas. Some that haven't been mentioned: meetup.com us a great place to find people doing activities you're interested in. Most are free or cheap. Your local library may have book clubs or other activities. If you live in a city/town, check out their parks & rec programming--they often offer classes at subsidized prices or have free activities--e.g. our town puts on a free concert series in local parks. For entertainment options, our local high school puts on high quality productions with very reasonable ticket prices. Check your local high school or college performing arts programs. Hope that helps!

katiebailey·May 28

I love walking and playing with my dogs and foster dogs. Fostering a dog is normally free to the foster parent because rescue groups pay for all the expenses. I also love to garden and start most plants from seeds, which is very cost effective. See photo of my baby purple basil plants, catnip, and spinach. Brings me a lot of happiness to tend to them and watch them grow.

marjorieaageeb·Aug 26

Wow that's a great idea :-) pets and plants! I didn't know it is free to foster pets :-) That is a very cool idea!

nuphar·May 28

Gallery hopping :) Unlike museums, which might have 'pay as you wish' days or even offer free entrance occasionally, galleries are always free and usually open to the public without needing an appointment.

Tamiko164·May 30

I love outdoor exercising, whether a walk, a hike, or a bike ride, or reading and playing boardgames, or simply spending time with people, a good conversation over a cup of tea at home.

kateshastakova·May 31

If you want to try board games I recommend boardgamesarena.Recent new fun thing I found was “sticker by numbers”, it’s like paint by numbers but stickers are used instead of paint. There are different types of colouring books: colouring by number, colouring by “pixel”, colouring with markers, colouring with paint.Embroidery seems to be relatively cheap hobby, I am going to try embroidery needle pen next, looks very meditating.Bird watching, finding a new type of bird is always “Pokémon-like” moment to me.Indie video games on sales.App Libby helps with free audiobooks (connects to your library).

bridgetcogley·May 31

Our primary family hobby is martial arts and the studio we go to is pretty reasonable. Locally, we have a networking group that does free / low cost physical activities. The library sometimes has events for free - we even found someone briefly teaching tai chi completely free of charge! I do a lot of art art at home and can sometimes trade entertaining - I'll host a paint night and someone else will organize their hobby as an event. I won't call it cheap, but I will sometimes drive and explore that way. Biking and parks are another great option. We've done 26 mile rides as a family, which can definitely fill a day. It's a bit retro, but I'll also help friends and trade off tasks that are obnoxious to do solo but fun to do with friends: cleaning closets, painting rooms, etc.

BrieAbramowicz·Jun 03

There are so many options! Somatics, mindfulness 🧘 apps, reading a physical book, going for a short walk in my neighborhood, yoga, breath work, and my favorite … lighting a candle and saying a personal mantra for a few minutes.

jenr·Jun 07

There are SO many good recommendations in this thread! I do a lot of them myself so it looks like we're in good company. :) I'd add going to a park or coffee shop (a small americano can be cheap) and bring your journal/sketchbook/book. I find that being outside of my home and doing these activities can make them feel like more of an adventure.Also, if you haven't yet, join your local Buy Nothing group! There are always people getting rid of craft supplies and all sorts of things like puzzles and games. It's an easy and completely free way to try out new things without having to invest in them!

Mirna·Jun 10

Nothing beats the walk in nature <3 or a good book (including visiting a beautiful library ;)) also, yoga (many good guided videos out there e.g. yoga with adriene or strala by tara styles). writing can be a nice idea too, if you find a style and topic that you like :)

marjorieaageeb·Aug 25

Pamper yourself at home! I love doing at-home spas. They are cheap for sure. All you need is a clean bathroom, bathtub, bath oils/bath bombs, nice music, champagne, & a nice face mask while you soak. Give yourself a nice foot rub and face massage! It takes a few minutes to an hour:-)

julialvarezdeeulate·Nov 13

There so many good ideas in this thread!Here's my list:• Walks. I tend to walk every day one hour plus. On top of being free, it is an amazing way to disconnect and to have some me time. If the walk is in nature, even better! It has many health benefits like regulating stress hormones.• Meditation. I use the app Headspace which is paid. Medito is for free and has awesome meditations as well. There are many options here. If you are new to meditation it can get some time to get used to it but you will see the benefits. It is nice to give it a try.• Journaling. Writing down thoughts, emotions and live events helps declutter the mind. Plus it is interesting to go back to old entries and see patterns. Also, it helps identify areas where you feel stuck or other ones where you have improved more than you realize.• Yoga. There are many YouTube channels out there and it is a bridge between a spiritual activity and canalizing it through movement.• Running. I used to do it more in the past but it is a free activity. There is an app called Adidas running where you can join running events to get to know other runners and get advice from a coach.• Meetups/events. Nice way to explore what is around in your area, explore new hobbies or pursue existing ones while meeting new people.• Creative writing. There are many writing prompts out there that you can use. It is a fun way to create other realities where the sky is the limit!• Calisthenic parks. I love to use them while travelling around. Depending on the country/location there may be quite a few. I have gone to many in Spain, Germany and and a few in Portugal. It is also a great way to spend some time outdoors.• Listening to music. I love to wind down by listening to different kinds of music. Feel free to dance and sing along, I often feel like a crazy person when doing that but it is fun and energizing.• Salsa/dancing events. As a big fan of dancing, I love to go to bars/latin parties to dance. If you don't know how to dance salsa/bachata or the like, there are often parties with an intro workshop at the beginning. The events might have a cost but you can often find cheap options.• Volunteering. Giving back to the community in some area helps others and it probably gives you a nice feeling of being useful to others. It can be a nice way fo wind down while improving other's lives.• Drawing/painting. I haven't tried this one much but I am aware that many people find it as an amazing way for winding down. You can buy a mandala book for example and use some color pencils, which you can find both for not a high price.• Cooking. Since as human beings we have to eat, you might as well spend some time experimenting and making some delicious food for yourself. It is a skill which is very useful.Hope I could bring in new ideas for winding down.

Anh153·Nov 14

ah love this list! thanks so much for sharing these <3

julialvarezdeeulate·Nov 14

happy that you like it!

share this article