Almost everyone just out of college are living paycheck to paycheck, without much room for error. Especially in the days before the next paycheck, many early 20somethings are hoping to have enough for food, not really thinking about entertainment. You need to spend as much time as you can through the month on free activities, in order to have more at the end of the month. Here are some ideas that may allow for some fun to be had throughout the month.
- Free concerts. Many cities have concerts by lesser known bands throughout the summer months, that cost no money. They are often sponsored by beer companies, and so overpriced beer will be sold.
- Drink beer! Beer is much less expensive than mixed drinks. My bartab is usually around 20 with tip (but I am about 110 lb and I only go out 1 every week or every 2 weeks). I would suggest pregaming at home, and then going out and drinking beer to maintain your buzz. Maybe a shot. Also, think about if you want to use cash or a tab. With cash you can keep an eye on your money easier. With a tab, you usually only tip once. Also, go to bars without a cover charge.
- Book club! Do any of you or any of your friends like to read? A book club doesn't have to be about insightful books. You can read the latest Nicholas Sparks and similar books. Then get together once a month to talk about the books and anything else on your mind. These events will keep you busy reading, and will give you something to do one night a month. Mine is potluck. The person holding it makes the main dish, and everyone else brings the sides.
- Pamper yourself, yourself! Target, and many other similar stores, have items that allow you to give yourself an at home spa day. You can give yourself a facial, or a foot scrub and pedicure. If you are addicted to having great looking nails, think about how much you spend. If you get an $8 manicure every week, think about what you can do to do it yourself. If you get acrylics or silk wraps, think about how many times a week you get a fill, and how much it costs. I can tell you that I used to get acrylics. I had to get a fill at $25 each every other week. Now I have gels, that are $35 a fill, and I get them about once a month. Also, keep them short, this will reduce the chances of them breaking. Also, if you get your eyebrows down at every sign of a new hair, don't do this! Only get them done professionally once a month. Touch up the main areas (don't get too close to what you want to keep to avoid over plucking) and then after about a month, your eyebrows will start looking nasty, so get them done professionally
- Rent a tv series! Use netflix or the blockbuster mailing service. With these you can pay a small amount and have a number of movies out at a time, but rent as many as you can through the month. With this you can watch an entire series of a show, which could take up several evenings a week. You may feel like a hobbit doing this, so try doing this with a group of friends.
- Potluck dinners! If you meet up with a group of girlfriends for a meal every week or month, consider doing it potluck. This can be any meal, breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner. Choose someone's house to host and this person can make the main dish, and everyone else can bring a side. Choose a theme each week, Mexican, Italian... And don't forget the drinks!
