A no spend weekend is hard. It takes a lot of self-control but it helps you get things done and save a ton of money! You don’t need to overthink a no spend weekend. You also don’t need to travel far to find things to do. There are plenty of local events or activities you can do on your no spend weekend. First, I want to give you some tips for deciding when to do a no-spend weekend.

Pick a Realistic Weekend

Don’t pick a weekend when you know you might meet up with friends or you’re celebrating someone’s birthday. This is setting you up to fail.

Leave Your Money at Home

You’ll be tempted to spend it if you bring cash or a credit card. You can carry $10-$20 for emergencies only (real emergencies not because you found a cute top you MUST have or drinks are half off).

Tell Your Spouse/Friends

If you tell the people close to you they can hold you accountable and will not invite you to do something that involves spending money. Don’t be embarrassed. Your close friends/family will want to cheer you on (any may even want to join in).

Plan, Plan, Plan

Look up some fun and free things to do in your city before the weekend. This way you have your weekend planned and you will be more likely to reach your goal.

Now there are plenty of fun and free things to do in your own city. Sometimes it takes a little bit of research but it can be done.

Here are my top free things to do on a no spend weekend:

#1 Check out a local museum or exhibit

There are plenty of free art exhibits or museums you can find on your city website or even through Facebook groups. This is a great time to learn the history of your city/state or check out some local artists. Most cities also have a free visitors guide. Although you are not visiting, there might be things in there you haven’t done. Pick up a guide and check it out! Grab your camera and play tourist in your own city (it is one of my favorite things to do).

#2 Spend an afternoon at your local library

If you don’t have a library card get one now! They are free  and will help you save money. You can use the computers there or read books/magazines. If you need a great book recommendation check out my post on the book Make it Happen by Lara Casey. It is one of my absolute favorites. Click here to read my review or click here to view it on Amazon. You can also rent movies at your local library so make tonight a movie night!

TIP: Check out a book on sewing, creative lettering, or cooking and learn a new skill! This is the time to look at your goals list and start something you haven’t started yet. For me, I am really trying to learn how to sew (I probably should know this already) so that is on my to do list.

#3 Volunteer

This is the perfect weekend to give back and help others. This might even take the whole day or the afternoon. There are so many wonderful organizations that you can help out. You can help at a food bank or spend the day with habitat for humanity. Find an organization that means something to you and get involved. This is also a great time to show your kids the importance of volunteering [if you have kids]

“When we help ourselves, we find moments of happiness. When we help others we find lasting fulfillment” – Simon Sinek

#4 Organize and Clean Your Home

The work week is always so hectic so this is a great time to check things off your to do list that you’ve been ignoring for weeks. Get some things done around the house. You will feel so much better after you do that. Some things you can do are:

• Deep Clean Your Kitchen: refrigerator, stove, cabinets, floors, counter tops
• Clean Your Baseboards: I need to do this more often but I am always so glad after I take the time to clean them
• Hang Up Pictures: all those pictures you’ve been meaning to hang up, now is the time!
• Go Through Your Closet: make piles of things you want to donate and things you think you will be able to sell. This is the perfect chance to make some extra money
• DIY Home Improvement: Those cabinets you have the paint for but never painted or the side table you still have in a box. Get it done this weekend!

#5 Spend Time with Family/Friends

Invite a friend over you haven’t seen in a while and just hang out. You can host a pot luck dinner and have your friend bring over appetizers/drinks and you can cook dinner from food you already have in your house. If you have kids, use this weekend to play outside with them or play a board game. You can build a fort inside or play fashion show. Get creative! Life gets hectic so use this no spend weekend to spend time with the people who matter.

#6 Go to a Local Festival

Plan your no spend weekend around a local festival. Take some friends or your kids, explore the booths and listen to some music. There might even be some freebies you can take home or free activities for the kids.

#7 Get Active

Run, walk, hike, bike. You can find free workouts on YouTube or free phone apps (one I love is called Sworkit). You can also go to your local park and play Frisbee or kickball with friends. Get some fresh air and spend time outside. Take a road trip to your local national park and surround yourself in rain forests and waterfalls. Seriously, you deserve it.

One Final Note

The keys to success for a no spend weekend are to pick a realistic weekend and to explore your city. You might have just moved there or you might have lived there for years, but there are so many free things to do in every city. No spend weekends do not need to be all the time. You can do them once a month or even a few times a year. It is a great opportunity to save some money, check things off your to do list, and spend some time with the people who matter.

What are some free things you do in your city? Do you have any other tips for a no spend weekend? Let me know!

This article was originally posted on AJ Money Matters. Check them out for more money talk, lifestyle posts, and fashion advice.