Have Fun on the Cheap
Are you strapped for cash, saving up, or simply fed up of forking out a fortune on overpriced food and entertainment for yourself or for the family? Think you can't have a good time without flashing the cash?Think again! Here's my guide to a fun wallet-free weekend.
Be loyal
If you've been collecting points on a store loyalty card for ages without knowing what to do with them, now is the time to use up your Tesco Clubcard and Nectar loyalty points. For example 6GBP worth of Clubcard vouchers will pay for one child to visit Legoland. If you've 2,000 points on your Nectar card, you get one adult entrance to the Eden project in Cornwall. There are also some great money-off deals on meals, although specific terms and conditions will apply. For these deals and more check out the Tesco and Nectar websites.
Get cultured
Museums and galleries across the UK are often free while the ones that do charge are generally cheap. Increasingly they are making a big effort to encourage families to discover something new, unique and unexpected in their neighbourhood. Check out the '24 Hour Museum' website to find out about special events and offers near you.
Get out and about
If you live near a stately home or park, chances are there's an event on, especially in the summer months. The National Trust has plenty of ideas for you and your family on its website. If you're not keen on forking out the entrance fee just take a picnic and something to read and spend time in the gardens. Most large stately homes have stunning grounds that you could spend the whole day in quite happily.
Eat drink and be merry - on the cheap
Why not get your mates round for a dinner with a difference. One of you brings a starter, the other a main course and someone else a dessert. You could provide the drinks, nibbles and ambience. All of you get a gourmet meal without the a la carte prices - or nearly so much effort! Add in a DVD of something none of you has seen yet and it's a whole evening's entertainment for a teeny tiny price.
Music
See your favourite singers on stage for a night you'll never forget. Seatwave have tickets for lots of artists and performances - you can search by region and see how many tickets are left for each concert. Great if you know you've got a free evening coming up.
Theatre
Save money on theatre tickets at last minute where you can find all kinds of dinner-and-show deals to suit your budget. They also have plenty of tickets for stand-up comedy if that's you're thing so have a browse.
Save on cinema tickets
Check out lastminute where you can buy tickets at any one of 14 participating Vue cinemas for the bargain price of 4.99GBP (plus 50p booking fee). Buy tickets online and get into any film with available seats from noon on a weekday (Monday to Thursday). This only works if you're in London, but for everyone else there are still ways to save - you can get 2 for 1 tickets with Orange Wednesdays. Orange customers can text FILM to 241 from their phone and they will be sent a code which you show at the cinema, so you can take your friend for free. If you're not with Orange you can always just buy an Orange pay-as-you-go Sim card and put a small amount on it to take advantage of the offer.
Fun in the sun
If you live near a local park, get out those tennis racquets and baseball bats for a great way to get fit and have fun. You could even take a lesson in one of them if your local authority is running classes. They tend to be much cheaper than private ones and you meet local people too. Or why not club together with friends and hire a coach together? It's much cheaper and could be a good way to help each other learn.
Get fit
Why not go for a cycle ride, a long walk or even a roller-blading session. Take a picnic with you so you aren't tempted to hit the nearest pub for lunch. Take the whole family and make it a cheap but fun day out.
Entertain yourself
Plan a big night in and watch all those free DVDs you've been collecting from newspapers.
Catch up on friends and relatives you haven't spoken to for a while. Some telephone companies - such as BT - allow you to make calls for free at the weekend either on your landline or your mobile, depending on your tariff.
Get planting - now's the time to make your garden look beautiful. Get your youngsters to help you plant those tomato seeds that have been gathering dust in the shed. If you are friendly with your neighbours, see if you can swap cuttings to increase the variety of plants in your garden for free.
Sell your stuff on Amazon, eBay or even at a car boot sale. Use the money for a good weekend away later on.
Make friends with your local library - it's free and has a lot more than just books nowadays. Not only that, but if we don't use them more we could lose them. Pick out a new book to read - or a talking book to be read to you. See what CDs, DVDs and videos are available. You have to rent some of these items but they're usually cheaper than dedicated rental shops.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jasmine_Birtles
Be loyal
If you've been collecting points on a store loyalty card for ages without knowing what to do with them, now is the time to use up your Tesco Clubcard and Nectar loyalty points. For example 6GBP worth of Clubcard vouchers will pay for one child to visit Legoland. If you've 2,000 points on your Nectar card, you get one adult entrance to the Eden project in Cornwall. There are also some great money-off deals on meals, although specific terms and conditions will apply. For these deals and more check out the Tesco and Nectar websites.
Get cultured
Museums and galleries across the UK are often free while the ones that do charge are generally cheap. Increasingly they are making a big effort to encourage families to discover something new, unique and unexpected in their neighbourhood. Check out the '24 Hour Museum' website to find out about special events and offers near you.
Get out and about
If you live near a stately home or park, chances are there's an event on, especially in the summer months. The National Trust has plenty of ideas for you and your family on its website. If you're not keen on forking out the entrance fee just take a picnic and something to read and spend time in the gardens. Most large stately homes have stunning grounds that you could spend the whole day in quite happily.
Eat drink and be merry - on the cheap
Why not get your mates round for a dinner with a difference. One of you brings a starter, the other a main course and someone else a dessert. You could provide the drinks, nibbles and ambience. All of you get a gourmet meal without the a la carte prices - or nearly so much effort! Add in a DVD of something none of you has seen yet and it's a whole evening's entertainment for a teeny tiny price.
Music
See your favourite singers on stage for a night you'll never forget. Seatwave have tickets for lots of artists and performances - you can search by region and see how many tickets are left for each concert. Great if you know you've got a free evening coming up.
Theatre
Save money on theatre tickets at last minute where you can find all kinds of dinner-and-show deals to suit your budget. They also have plenty of tickets for stand-up comedy if that's you're thing so have a browse.
Save on cinema tickets
Check out lastminute where you can buy tickets at any one of 14 participating Vue cinemas for the bargain price of 4.99GBP (plus 50p booking fee). Buy tickets online and get into any film with available seats from noon on a weekday (Monday to Thursday). This only works if you're in London, but for everyone else there are still ways to save - you can get 2 for 1 tickets with Orange Wednesdays. Orange customers can text FILM to 241 from their phone and they will be sent a code which you show at the cinema, so you can take your friend for free. If you're not with Orange you can always just buy an Orange pay-as-you-go Sim card and put a small amount on it to take advantage of the offer.
Fun in the sun
If you live near a local park, get out those tennis racquets and baseball bats for a great way to get fit and have fun. You could even take a lesson in one of them if your local authority is running classes. They tend to be much cheaper than private ones and you meet local people too. Or why not club together with friends and hire a coach together? It's much cheaper and could be a good way to help each other learn.
Get fit
Why not go for a cycle ride, a long walk or even a roller-blading session. Take a picnic with you so you aren't tempted to hit the nearest pub for lunch. Take the whole family and make it a cheap but fun day out.
Entertain yourself
Plan a big night in and watch all those free DVDs you've been collecting from newspapers.
Catch up on friends and relatives you haven't spoken to for a while. Some telephone companies - such as BT - allow you to make calls for free at the weekend either on your landline or your mobile, depending on your tariff.
Get planting - now's the time to make your garden look beautiful. Get your youngsters to help you plant those tomato seeds that have been gathering dust in the shed. If you are friendly with your neighbours, see if you can swap cuttings to increase the variety of plants in your garden for free.
Sell your stuff on Amazon, eBay or even at a car boot sale. Use the money for a good weekend away later on.
Make friends with your local library - it's free and has a lot more than just books nowadays. Not only that, but if we don't use them more we could lose them. Pick out a new book to read - or a talking book to be read to you. See what CDs, DVDs and videos are available. You have to rent some of these items but they're usually cheaper than dedicated rental shops.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jasmine_Birtles
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