Top tips for having fun without breaking the bank

Still feeling the pain from your holiday spending? If you’re like many people, you may be paying off credit card debt from Christmas and New Years, and making no progress when it comes to your New Year’s resolutions.

Here are some ways you can have fun this year while still saving for a rainy day:

Online Betting

How often have you gone down to the local sports pub or casino for sports betting, only to find that you spend much more than you had anticipated? These places are designed to part you with your cash. Instead, consider trying out some of these betting sites, which you can access right from the comfort of your own home. This also means that you have the time to be a little more strategic with your bets, making it more likely that you’ll win.

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Game Night

Believe it or not, but game nights are making a comeback. These days, people are less interested in spending hundreds of dollars to yell over each other at a crowded bar, and more interested in hanging out together in front of a fire or in the backyard and enjoying quality time. If this sounds like you, why not grab a few board games (you can find these at garage sales and online) and invite some friends over. Put names into a hat and create teams, and put together some funny prizes for the winners.

New Hobbies

How often have you bemoaned the fact that you can’t cook, or announced that you’d really like to learn a new language? What are you waiting for? 2018 is the perfect year to start working on some of your goals and ensure you have a new hobby to keep you busy. These also don’t have to cost much. Got a friend who’s constantly creating new recipes? Get them to give you a few lessons in exchange for something they need doing. Jump on Duolingo to learn a new language or take lessons from a local via Skype for just a few dollars.

Travel

Travel doesn’t have to meet long, expensive, international flights. You can be a tourist in your own backyard or take a road trip with friends. Studies have shown that people value experiences more than “stuff”, and now’s the time to start ticking off all the places you’ve been meaning to explore in your own country. Sign up to deal sites for cheap tours, flights, and accommodation, and commit to taking one trip every few months.