Yahoo Finance I’m a Frugal Self-Made Millionaire: 5 Ways To Treat Yourself Without Blowing Your Budget
According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Americans spent an average of $3,458 on entertainment in 2022. While this might seem like an insignificant amount to some, it could be enough to blow up some budgets. GOBankingRates reached out to frugal self-made millionaires to see how you can enjoy yourself without breaking the bank.
How can you treat yourself without blowing up your budget?
For You: 5 Unnecessary Bills You Should Stop Paying in 2024
Read More: 4 Genius Things All Wealthy People Do With Their Money
Get Out in Nature
“One of the best and most rewarding ways you can treat yourself and stick to your budget is to take a long walk in a new area, ride your bike to your favorite park or ask a friend along for a hike,” shared Erika Kullberg, an attorney, personal finance expert and founder of Erika.com.
Depending on where you live and the time of year, here are a few free or relatively cheap outdoor activities that you can consider:
Explore a new part of town.
Look up walking trails near you to visit.
Have a picnic in the park or by the water instead of spending money on a fancy restaurant.
Find a local community event that you can ride your bike to.
Kullberg elaborated, “Getting out into the fresh air and connecting with yourself or a friend is also a great way to reset if you’re feeling stressed about money.” The good news is that you don’t have to spend money on expensive entrance fees by choosing to embrace nature.
Find Out: 10 Things Frugal People Always Buy at Yard Sales To Save Money
Use Your Library
“Get yourself to your local library and pick out a book or movie to bring home,” remarked Kullberg. “You can enjoy a relaxing afternoon or evening on the couch, alone or with family, with the knowledge that your budget hasn’t been touched.”
Depending on your location, you can also use your library card for other unique perks. You may get free entry into a museum with your card or find other activities that are offered at a discounted rate.
Look For a Trial Class
“If you’re into staying fit or curious about trying something new, you can look around your community (or online too) for a yoga, dance or fitness class offering a free trial,” commented Kullberg. “Give it a try and enjoy a non-committal workout for free.”
A trial class or some sort of promotional offer on a new activity is the ideal way to treat yourself without spending a ton of money. A few other ideas include:
Find out if there are any new spas opening near you with discounted pricing.
See if there are any Groupon offers for a group activity like escape rooms or salsa lessons.
Challenge yourself with archery tag or something that you’ve never done before.
The goal is to find ways to entertain yourself without spending a ton of money because you want to ensure that you stay focused as you strive towards your various financial objectives.
Free Time With No Plans
“As a busy entrepreneur juggling digital ventures and traditional businesses, free time is the ultimate luxury,” shared Scott Gabdullin, founder of Authority Factors. “So having downtime or lazy weekend days are precious to me because I hardly get any.”
Sometimes the best plans are no plans since you can go with the flow and enjoy the company of your family.
Gabdullin elaborated, “Having a quiet weekend to disconnect and recharge with my family is the best way to treat myself. We might put the phones away and focus on each other, enjoying simple pleasures like reading a good mystery novel, watching a favorite comedy together or taking a long walk in the park.”
They say that some of the best things in life are free and this can certainly be the case if you’re looking to treat yourself without spending too much money.
Look Up Home-Based Activities
In the last few years, many home-based activities popped up and became more popular to ensure that people could stay entertained without leaving the house.
“We might cook a special meal together, play board games or just relax and chat,” noted Gabdullin. “It’s those simple moments of connection that recharge me the most.”
You want to find activities and hobbies that you can participate in around the house so that you don’t have to worry about transportation or lodging expenses that could come up with travel.
Gabdullin concluded, “It’s about savoring these rare moments of relaxation without spending a lot.”
If you’re looking for ways to have fun this summer without breaking the bank, consider one of these budget-friendly activities shared by frugal self-made millionaires.
More From GOBankingRates
I'm a Bank Teller: 4 Reasons You Should Withdraw Your Savings Right Now
This is The Single Most Overlooked Tool for Becoming Debt-Free
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: I’m a Frugal Self-Made Millionaire: 5 Ways To Treat Yourself Without Blowing Your Budget
