1. Start a blog. It’s free on sites like WordPress and BlogSpot, and you can probably while away hours customizing your page. If you’re feeling industrious, you can also write a book or compose letters to the editor from the perspectives of a wide array of disgruntled characters who believe the American flag should come in a standard size or that in the right context a lawn gnome can be viewed as a lethal weapon. The main idea here is to stay at home where you won’t be spending money.
2. Sleep. When you’re tempted to run errands that are just going to eat up your cash, take a nap. This is a great way to fend off hunger, as well. Remember–you’re poor and you need to be saving your energy so that you can stretch your food (baked beans and rice are cheap, filling, and provide useful proteins and carbs; just remember to take a multivitamin, since you probably can’t afford fruit or vegetables that you don’t grow yourself).
3. Bone up on creative ways to make Halloween fun. Are your kids hassling you about buying them that expensive Hannah Montana or Optimus Prime costume? Explain that they can be anything they want with a glue-gun, cardboard, some paint, and a little ingenuity. Or suggest they dress as characters from Where the Wild Things Are, and glue some hair and sticks to them or something. Crafts in general–especially things involving googly eyes–should be embraced wholeheartedly at all times of the year.
4. Visit a pet store. Petting animals at a shop not only lowers your blood-pressure without the cost of owning a pet (studies have demonstrated this), but allows you to view strange creatures without purchasing a ticket. In Billings, Exotic Pets on Grand Avenue has the best variety of animals, but the salt-water fish tanks at the Heights Pet Store are a close runner-up.
5. Exercise. Go on a walk or lift dumbbells in your living room. Squats are free.
6. Read a book. I request books on the city library’s website. They notify me when the book is ready, and since it’s held by the front desk until I pick it up, I don’t need to spend any more time there than necessary (this doesn’t save money, but it’s convenient and I don’t like the library).
7. You probably have an instrument lying around–a guitar or a tuba. Maybe you bought a banjo on a whim while you were in college. Play it.
8. Daydream. Staring out your window is free, and it’s good for you.
9. Avoid people. Socializing usually involves meeting for coffee or lunch–things you can’t afford. The internet is a wonderful substitute for face-to-face human interaction. If you don’t have access to the internet, maybe you have a pet you can talk to. Some people believe that plants respond to the human voice–why don’t you try it? If you do decide you want to be around people,organize a potluck or inite them over to your house to enjoy a $4 bottle of wine and some home-made cupcakes–little touches, like cheerful sprinkles or high alcohol content, can make your offerings more appealing.
10. Develop hobbies. Boredom and lack of funds will help you perfect whatever hobby it is that will someday make you an interesting and well-rounded person. You probably know someone who has profited from making things out of dung or broken candy canes. This is your time to shine.
This blog makes me giggle..specially the part about gluing the hair and sticks on the kiddos. Funny and refreshing. Not sure about the spices at the bottom however. Nothing I would use or recommend. Keep blogging. I will be back.