Boredom!

[daughter of pearl]

I'm doing pretty well on the "saving money and reducing debt" front but a new enemy in the War Against Debt has recently been discovered:

BOREDOM!!!!

I have been trying really hard to stay home (I live alone) more often so that I don't spend money unneccesarily, and as a result, life has gotten pretty boring. I live alone and there is only so much non-cable television a person can take.

I have decluttered my whole house.
I have reread the Tightwad Gazette.
I have cooked and menu planned and read blogs and walked by the lake til I am blue.

Any advice?

[Libby]

Have you checked out your local library for free movie loans? Joined any community groups that are free? Perhaps start a walking routine with a local friend? And my fave...go for a walk with a travel mug of coffee/tea and take in the sights

My gf used to go to the park with her cooler and sketch for the afternoon or rollerblade along the lake by herself.

If you're strong enough - be sure to leave credit cards/money at home - go window shop?

Perhaps research yourself new hobby - sewing, knitting etc?

[MrsOptimistic]

Definitely get a library card if you don't have one already!

Look at your state's/city's tourist info for free activities/sights to see.

Start exercising regularly. Many great benefits there.

Schedule get togethers with friends that don't involve spending money. Picnics in the park, hanging around watching movies, etc.

Sorry you're bored! I know how that gets.

[Mom2-3]

Start playing the games in the arcade! lol That's what I do

[savininfl]

I was gonna suggest a hobby. I know sometimes they can get expensive but if it takes you awhile and you do it cheap it may be worth it.
Definetly get a library card.
Find a meet up group you may like to join.
Get a puppy! I know this may be money to get but it brings you happiness (proven) and only costs the food bill in the monthyl budget.
Not sure where you live but I can always people watch (great places would be beach, park, airport, mall)
Excersie, excersie, excersie!!
If you like kids try babysitting. They'll keep you busy and you'll make money!

[pollypurebred39]

I think getting a pet is a GREAT idea! If you live somewhere where pets like dogs or cats are not allowed there still are many options.

~Rabbits are fabulous pets that can be litter trained just like cats. Just like cats and dogs they love their owner, love cuddles, being brushed,sitting quietly in your lap. They can be taught tricks and will even walk on a leash. Check out some books at your local library and check out a shelter or rescue. Many rabbits end up in shelters. Here's a link.

ASPCA | General Rabbit Care

~Parakeets make fine company. I had a fabulous parakeet named Blizzard as a young girl. I swear his was a shining star! He was the best company. He love playing in water and taking baths. He would sing the most beautiful wild bird songs. It was an extremely sad time after he passed. Just thinking of him hurts my heart even though it's been 3 decades since his passing. Rescues and shelters often have parkeets. Here's a link.

ASPCA | General Bird Care

~I've been told guinea pigs make great pets. They are very loving and enjoy human company A LOT! Here's a link about them.

ASPCA | Guinea Pig Care

~Fish can be very entertaining, but far less interactive. My Father bred fish as a hobby. Here's a link. Free fish tanks and supplies are everywhere. You can check out craigs list or free cycle.

ASPCA | Fish Care

But if pets aren't your thing how about plants. Taking care of other living things is very satisfying and enjoyable. Here's a great link about just that.

Growing Indoor Plants with Success

Spending time with others can enrich our lives in such a tangible way. Here's a few ideas you may like.

~Donate one day a week to serving others. It could be a food pantry, visiting vets in the veteran center, visiting a nursing home, reading stories to little ones at the library.

~Join a women's Bible study

~Join a Red Hatters group

~Join a gardening club

~Churches often have plays, concerts, movie nights, even coffee house nights. Check out the churches in your area.

Get creative. Is there something that interest you?, something you've always wanted to do? Paint? Sew? Scrapbook? Crochet? Knit? If so check some books at the library and search the internet for some low cost ideas and do a bit of dabbling. You just may find something you love.

Get in touch with long lost friends or family members and become pen pals. Nothings more exciting on a lonely day to open up you mail box and find a letter from someone you love.

[frugalfranny]

There are some great ideas here but I agree with you on the TV thing. I can get bored with that really fast.

I say the best suggestion is a library card.........and see what sort of classes they give.

How about Volunteering?.............there should be lots of opportunities for that.......from a food pantry (handing out food) to visiting someone in a nursing home that doesn't get visitors.

I do the nursing home thing and it is truly FUN.......I love the little gal I visit and we have a ball......she is a kick. Only cost is gas........I take her flowers from my garden---food from my garden........we laugh and go for walks (her in her wheelchair)........a truly rewarding thing that I do.

I agree - partially- with the dog (or animal) but you still need to be able to take them to the vet if they need it. They aren't always so 'cheap'.........they should have shots too. I love my dogs and they are GREAT company but they aren't always so cheap as everyone seems to think. Any animal needs UPKEEP.........of some sort.......plus plans for them when you do go somewhere. Think about this one before jumping into something you will regret later.........or have to give away or take to the pound.

[CampCrazyMom]

Letterboxing is an inexpensive hobby. I know in my area I can walk to at least 20 "boxes". You can google it to learn more & find "boxes". Or message me to chat about it.

[Nada.Leona]

Cheap to free hobbies to look into:

~ handcrafts like knitting, quilting, cross-stitching (check secondhand shops for all the supplies you need)
~ couponing
~ writing letters and reviews for products you love/hate/want to try
~ volunteering
~ get a part-time weekend job at a specialty store you love to shop -- work eight hours a week on the weekend and whatever money you pocket can go toward your purchases at the store (Michaels? A chocolate shop?)

And on the pet note, if you do get a pet, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE get pet insurance! It sounds expensive, but seriously, it's not, and you will get amazing peace of mind if you adopt a new friend and can run to the vet without a thought because he is sick or injured. Pet insurance isn't as costly as you might think, and it's super beneficial. I had it when my poor kitty had kidney issues and it saved me a bundle. When I gave out my second kitty to my parents, I told them they weren't allowed to have her unless they got pet insurance for her.

[NewLeaf]

I tried letterboxing a couple of years ago. It is a blast. The only downside was that there were no boxes in my area. I planted a box and when I checked on it I had to remove it for repair.

Thanks for the reminder. I think I will plant another box.

[valerian]

I can feel for you! Being bored sucks! I can only watch so much tv also...most of what's on is rubbish anyway. I think some good suggestions have been made here. Pets are expensive at times, but also very entertaining. When I'm bored or very down, I like to play with my dog. Not only is it fun for me, but he gets a lot out of it too. I raise zebra finches and enjoy looking at and hearing them daily. They are very cheerful! We also have chickens which are fun. We have fish and lizards which are not so entertaining, but the kids wanted them.

Ya gotta get out to the library! Check out some hobbies-on-a-budget books or travel books or videos...lots to choose from. I read a lot and do a lot with my laptop...plenty of things to research on the web or games to play, etc.

[Josephhgoins]

When I first took my pay-cut (over 30%), semi-retirement and moved into a 1 bedroom apartment from my 3 bedroom house. I was in agony!! All of my hobbies revloved around shopping before. I would go to flea markets, thrift stores, ebay, and malls to find rare pieces of glass, books, cook books, or kitchen equipment. To make matters worse, even if I could afford to buy the stuff now, I had no where to put it.

TV was no fun, I just couldn't sit unless I was working and keeping my mind busy.

Finally after 2 months, I was able to get my cat here with me. He has made a great difference. No, I don't spend time bathing him and stuff, but we do play. He distracts me so that what work I do have last longer.

I won't say my cat is cheap though. I have spent well over $500 in vet bills alone. My pet fee for my apartment was $350.00 plus $20 a month. I run through about $10 a month in litter and probably $10 a month in cat food. He loves helping me drink the lactose free milk and because of him I probably have to buy 2 more gallons a month and a little of $5 each. Of course there are also toys that he gets, that is minimal at best. He gets excited over a bread tie to play with.

He is always doing things to keep me on my toes and has made my life much better here.

Something I used to do, was do a card night with my friends. You can invite them and either cook light snacks or you could do a covered dish dinner. Its a lot of fun and if you plan properly its not that expensive. You could rotate as to who hosts weekly or bi-weekly or even monthly.

I feel your pain and how today.

I am fighting the urge to go shopping soo bad. I keep thinking of things that I want and I should go get.

[monkeywrangler71]

Do you have a car? How far east of the city are you? We spend a lot of time walking the trails at the conservation areas. Conservation Areas Search It's a little early in the year, but there was virtually no snow all winter so the woods are probably clear. I don't know about the ones close to the city but the ones in Durham and Clarington are really nice. Sometimes there is pay&display parking (usually $2) or a donation box, otherwise they are basically free.

Can you volunteer somewhere in the community? It sounds like the solitary pursuits are what bore you the most, maybe you just don't enjoy being alone.

[daughter of pearl]

Thanks, MW, I'm in the very East part of Scarborough right near the lake. It is the solitary stuff, cos' I think my life is organized in such a way that I get enough alone time without even trying.

I'll check out the Durham areas...a short GO Train ride and a cooler,and I'm good.

[Linus]

Oh you're near Scarberia, eh? In addition to library cards, may want to check if they have classes (for free or next to nothing!). When I living in Burlington, ON, I went to the local art gallery and took a sketching class for $50 (it was an 8 week class). Granted it was evening but they may have something similar.

If you have a digital camera, perhaps you could start photographing parts of the area and experiment with that.