Things to Do Today Instead of Spending Money (2024)

By A Cultivated Nest Team

Do you find yourself spending money on things, just as a way to pass the time? At the moment of making a purchase, it may seem like a good idea. You may have really wanted to see that new movie, or read a new book, eat a new dish, try a different genre of video game, decorate your home in a different style, etc. But if you do those kinds of things often enough, it can start to become a drain on your finances. Luckily there are many ways to keep yourself busy without spending a dime. Here are 51 Things to Do Today Instead of Spending Money to get you started!

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Some of the things below are really productive. And others are mostly just entertainment. If you’re trying to think of things to do today instead of spending money, consider your current mood, then make a pick from the list below. You’ll have a higher chance of success doing chores if you’re feeling responsible than if you’re tired and really just want to relax!

1. Clean up your social media posts – delete old posts or photos that you now think are embarrassing
2. Unfollow accounts on social media that you no longer care about
3. Re-arrange your furniture or home decor. You’ll be amazed at how moving a few things around makes a room feel new without shopping!
4. Update your social media accounts and any portfolio sites
5. Make/update your personal website (you can make a free sitethrough services like Wix and Weebly)
6. Make/update your blog (you can make a free blog through services like Blogger and WordPress.com)
7. Make an account on a freelancing site likeFiverr, Freelancer, or Upwork. Those are great side hustles!
8. Make a shop on a selling website (Etsy, Ebay, etc.)
9. Clean your house
10. Clean up your yard and garden beds
11. Declutter your home- put the excess stuff aside to throw out, donate, or sell
12. Wash your kids’ or pets’ toys
13. Organize the icons on your computer’s desktop
14. Organize your computer’s folders
15. Organize your email- add folders, tags, set up automatic sorting, etc.
16. Watch a documentary on YouTube
17. Learn a new skill from a YouTube tutorial
18. Learn a new language (you can learn for free through apps and sites like Duolingo)
19. Call a relative or friend
20. Journal about your day, your hopes, your dreams, etc.
21. Draw – there are lots of free tutorials on Pinterest and YouTube
22. Knit or crochet – check YouTube if you don’t know how
23. Make music (you can play the piano online through apps and sites like Virtual Piano)
24. Write a short story
25. Start writing a non-fiction or fiction eBook to sell
26. Go for a walk in your neighborhood
27. Do an easy craft (like making your own coasters)
28. Do a big DIY project (like a furniture upcycle)
29. Dance
30. Exercise
31. Play with the kids or your pets
32. Wash your dog
33. Train your dog
34. Wash your car
35. Learn how to meditate
36. Research healthy eating (what to buy organic, vegetarian recipe ideas, what zoodles are, etc.)
37. Make a meal plan
38. Create freezer meals so you’ll be ready for busy days. Here are 15 Time Saving Freezer Meals to get you started.
39. Make a budget, or adjust your budget. Here’s how to make A Simple Budget
40. Assess how well you’re doing financially to prepare for retirement
41. Update your resume (don’t forget about online copies of your resume!)
42. Create a savings goal for something you’d like to buy or do
43. Make a vision board (a real one, or a Pinterest one)
44. See if any better rates have come up for insurance and bank accounts
45. Download money saving apps like Ibotta to your smartphone
46. See what new movies will be coming out in the next few months and watch the trailers on YouTube
47. Make (or update) a list of books you want to read
48. Comment on blogs, websites, news articles, YouTube videos, etc.
49. Find a free eBook to read
50. Find free smartphone apps to play
51. Organize your junk drawer.

If you pick one of thesethings to do today instead of spending money, you’ll probably save a little money. So you may think, is it worth it? The answer is yes! Because if you do one of these things every time you’re tempted to spend money to keep from being bored, you’ll actually save a lot in the long run! On top of that, you may learn an interesting skill, make money, have fun, or maybe get your house organized. Either way, you win!

What do you do to stay entertained but not spend money?

You may also be interested in this post: 100 Things to Throw Away