What do you do in the evenings to keep from getting bored?

**GFNancy** · 11-07-2008, 10:47 PM

We are taking our frugalness (frugality? frugalosity?) to a new level. We are going down to bare bones basic cable. It's like going back to 1983. Except we can't get the stations from two cities over by putting tinfoil on the antenna. So really it's like going back to 1978.

Not that I'm whining. (ahem..)

As a child raised in front of a TV, married to a man who was also raised in front of a TV, I'm wondering...

What the heck are we supposed to do with ourselves?

So what does everyone do in the evening other than watch TV?

**justpeachy92** · 11-07-2008, 10:49 PM

We read, play board games as a family, and dh and I like to play cribbage.

**madhen** · 11-07-2008, 10:54 PM

You will find that after about two weeks, you won't even miss it. You will just do more of the things you normally enjoy anyway, but don't do because your butt is parked on a couch. For me, it was reading (butt still on couch, I know), working out/running, and craft-type activities.

I've been force weaned off t.v. several times, and it was always just a matter of days before I didn't even miss it. Once it was reintroduced to my life, I found myself watching less of it than before. Now my t.v. is literally about a 14" teeny little thing in the livingroom that rarely gets switched on. People come over and look at my library shelves (full of books) and my dusty little t.v. and say, "T.V. doesn't play a big part in your life, does it?"

I do have another, larger, t.v. in my bedroom, but again, it goes for weeks without being switched on.

You will love it. It's like being taken off of narcotics.

**Ilovesewing** · 11-07-2008, 11:49 PM

I sew, quilt, embroider, bake, read cookbooks for different meals, clean house, laundry - there are always chores to be done. Then dh went back to day shift so he's home at night. He watches waaayyy too much tv

But we play board games a lot or cards.

**IntlMom** · 11-07-2008, 11:51 PM

Don;t forget the village!!!!!

**Laura2** · 11-08-2008, 01:08 AM

We don't have cable either. We just have a handful of free channels that we get with rabbit ears. When we first moved into this house we didn't even have free channels for about 5 months.

We spent our time watching movies, looking on the internet, talking evening walks, cleaning the house, reading books, and doing crafts. It is actually really nice not having TV. Personally I get alot more done when I don't have TV. I find that it is easy to "waste" the evening away in front of the TV.

**enginero** · 11-08-2008, 02:01 AM

My wife and I have been toying with the idea of getting rid of cable for over a year now and for some reason, we just can't bring ourselves to do it. The last time we were talking about, I actually called Charter to tell them we would like to cancel our service and their retention offer was so good, we kept it. Posts like these make me think it's time to revisit the discussion. :-)

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 11-08-2008, 04:17 AM

We don't have cable...we get about 5 channels with an antenna (we have the digital "box" for when the switchover time comes, but for some reason we only get 2 channels when it's hooked up?).

We watch DVDs...or check out movies at the library... And there's the occasional movie rental (with coupon, of course!).

Other than that...there's the internet, reading, etc.

Honestly, with Dh and I both in college full time...and still trying to keep up with housework/cooking, etc...and having older parents nearby that often need a hand... There really isn't much in the way of free time...but, that's what we do when there is some free time.

Hope you enjoy having less TV in your life!

**larabelle** · 11-08-2008, 08:12 AM

I have never had cable however I get about #12 different local channels with the digital converter box so I don't miss out. I however just got the converter box a couple of months ago and prior to that I only turned on the television about twice a year. I read, sew, play with the dog, and take walks. The library is only six blocks away and I bought a new sewing machine last Christmas so I stay busy.

**Miss Jessica** · 11-08-2008, 08:36 AM

We only recently got cable (more for football games than anything), and I've been toying with the idea of turning it off again. $63 per month for 70 stations we don't watch, maybe 10 we flip through, and 90% of the time it's just for background noise.

I think it'll be cheaper if we keep it on throughout football season. Otherwise we'll be in the bar once a week, which will most definitely add up to more than $63 per month.

Our internet is free, compliments of our landlord's commercial wireless line, so most entertainment is easy to come by online. I also crochet and we have a rather large library. There's always cleaning and cooking to be done, and we really enjoy trying new frugal meals throughout the week.

**TheRootedNomad** · 11-08-2008, 08:48 AM

Even with cable I don't watch much TV, although I do like a good movie. DH on the other hand is a TV channel flippin king. If we turned cable off my life wouldn't change much except I'd have a harder time visiting the village in the evening. DH on the other hand would probably resort to video games and the net for his entertainment.

**FrugalMomof3** · 11-08-2008, 09:16 AM

Let's see.... I watch a move with the family or play games....

We love Wii rock band and play that often however it's packed up now since we're moving soon, but there are many things we do as a family to keep from being bored.

**forHISglory** · 11-08-2008, 10:10 AM

Honestly, I don't get bored. So I really never think about how to keep from being bored. I always have so much going on that there's just no time for the boredom monster!

We have cable, but mostly for hubby, and even he only watches occasionally. He likes the news and some science and history shows. I like a couple shows on HGTV and watching "Semihomemade" on the Food Channel. That's it. We only have one small TV and it's in the basement.

So what do we do? We read a lot, play games, talk, write, sing, dance, take walks, do volunteer work, crafts and woodworking, cook, entertain friends with pot lucks, get busy with church activities and community activities, teach night school, grade papers...... Life is full and wonderful.

**lisetterenee** · 11-08-2008, 10:12 AM

When it's nice out we really like going for walks. When it's cold out, we stay in and cook and bake more. A hot bubble bath is always extra fun too.

I get up really early (5:30,) so our evenings are short. We're usually asleep BY 9:00, so that helps too.

**pip** · 11-08-2008, 10:32 AM

We haven't had cable for years. After a bit, we really didn't miss it. Of course, having 3 teens in the house kept things from getting boring, not always in a good way!!! If I have extra time in the evenings, I like to read or knit. Or, if it's nice out, take a long walk with hubby.