Having fun on the cheap

You don´t have to splash the cash to have a good time, so if you are struggling with your finances after overspending at Christmas, prepare to tighten your belts and be on the lookout for ways to save money and have fun at the same time. Here are some great tips to get you back on the straight and narrow and save plenty of cash:

1. Loyalty points and clubcards


If you carry a clubcard, use it and once you have a certain amount of loyalty points you can get vouchers for plenty of kid´s treats, such as trips to Legoland or free entrance to a host of amusement parks, and cut price admissions to major attractions. If you normally shop at one supermarket anyway, it can make sense to sign up for a loyalty card and enjoy the advantages and discounts it brings.

2. Calling all culture vultures


Many museums and galleries across the UK offer free admission to visitors and they increasingly try to encourage families through the doors. You can find a list of local museums and galleries online, and see all details about opening times and admission charges (if any) before you visit. The 24 hour museum website will tell you all you want to know about your local exhibitions and attractions that are free of charge. Museums are a great place to take the kids. Not only are they interesting but they are also offer free or cheap entry.


3. Local attractions in your area


Local attractions in your area may include a stately home or park where free events are held. The National Trust has plenty of ideas about places where you can spend an enjoyable day or two out in the country without forking out for an entrance fee. If you visit a stately home but don´t pay admission to see the main house, you can normally take advantage of the gardens and picnic areas for free. Why not take along a picnic to save even more money and keep the kids happy.


4.  Share the cost of a night in

Instead of forking out a fortune to eat and drink in expensive restaurants and bars, invite your friends round for a meal with a difference, which will be just as much fun and a lot cheaper. Ask each friend to bring round a different course which you can either warm up or eat cold at your house, plus a bottle of plonk or two to make sure the dinner party goes with a bang. This way, you will get a gourmet meal without a 5-star bill at the end of it, and if you throw in a good film after dinner, you will probably have a better time than if you had gone out on the town.


5. Get fit and have fun


If you live near a local park or have access to free or cheap gym and sports facilities, make the most of January and the rest of 2010 by getting fit and having fun into the bargain. Many local authorities now run health and fitness classes which tend to be cheaper than private ones, and it will also give you the chance to meet other local people, who may be interested in splitting the cost of hiring a private coach or fitness instructor.

6. Leisure centres and reduced rates


Many local authority leisure centres offer reduced rates to the unemployed, and in some cases to single mothers. Many more offer free swimming to all ages, so check out what they have on offer to help you get fit in 2010. If you prefer outdoor pursuits that don´t cost much, consider cycling, walking or jogging to get back in shape, and take a picnic along so you´re not tempted to hit the nearest café for cakes and sweets. If you are interested in joining a more expensive gym, check out the free introductory offers first. Some gyms offer first time visitors a free 3 months trial period so they can decide if they want to take out a membership.


7. Free home entertainment


If you are looking for free entertainment in the home, watch all those DVDs you have been storing up and never bothered to watch, or catch up with the friends and relatives you haven´t spoken to for months. If they live abroad, consider getting a Skype phone to plug into your laptop, and you can talk to each other for free if they have Skype set up, or very cheaply if not.


8. Green fingers in the New Year


If you have always wanted a beautiful blooming garden in springtime, now is the time to get planting. Not only will ´growing your own´ give you a lot of pleasure, but you can also enjoy delicious and healthy produce as a result. Whether you choose to grow colourful flowerbeds or grow your own fruit and vegetables, you will be amazed how much pleasure you can get from your garden. You can even swap cuttings with friends and neighbours to increase the range of plants and flowers you grow.


9. Sell your unwanted items


If your garage or shed is full of clutter and you want to clear it out, make some money at the same time. Use E-bay to sell unwanted items or take your stuff to sell at a car boot sale or Sunday market. Amazon is also a good way to get rid of unwanted items, and you can use the money to either clear some debts or save for a rainy day.


10. Use your local library


Use your local library instead of buying new books or paying to use the internet. Most libraries offer free internet, and you can save hundreds of pounds a year by loaning books, CD´s, DVDs and videos, that you would normally have to for out a fortune for. Libraries are a great source of information, and there is usually much more to see and do at the library than simply loan books.