- Cancel magazine subscriptions.
- Use the library for books, magazines, and movies. Reserve them online and then just pick them up.
- Read newspapers online.
- Celebrate “no spend” weekends, where you don’t spend anything.
- Prepare special dinners at home, rather than going out to celebrate.
- Eat out only once a month.
- Use hotel points and airline miles for vacation.
- Split an entree with someone else when you go out for dinner.
- Do free things for entertainment: Hiking, free city concerts, board games.
- Only order from the dollar menu when eating out.
- Go to the park and have a picnic.
- Take advantage of “get in free” days at the museum, etc.
- To find special festivals, get a free state tourism guide.
- If you find that you go somewhere a lot (a zoo, amusement park), buy a season pass.
- Entertain at home. Have friends over for dinner, or have a game night and just serve snacks.
- Make your own “take out” style meals. Pizza is a good way to start. And if you do a recipe search for your favorite restaurant foods, there are some good knock offs out there!
- Trade babysitting with friends who also need a sitter.
~Recession Tips From BeingFrugal.net