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Free Self Care Ideas

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How to self care without spending a lot of money.

It’s no secret that self care is important!  If our physical, mental and emotional needs aren’t being met, then we won’t be able to feel or perform our best in all of the many responsibilities in our lives. Often times we might feel like the only way to self care is to spend a lot of money….you know, more of a treat-yo-self mentality.  But, I’m here to remind you that you do not have to spend any money at all to take care of your needs!  Below are some free self care ideas to help you feel more renewed and content.

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Cheap Ways To Self Care

You do not need to go out and buy all of the newest and greatest objects in order to self care.  You can self care for cheap using the ideas below.

1.  Take A Bath

One of my favorite ways to self care for free is to take a nice, long, hot bath (emphasis on hot).  There is just nothing better than soaking all of your worries and stresses away from the comfort of your own bathtub.

If you want to splurge a little, buy some inexpensive bubble bath or a bath salts.

2.  Go For A Walk

Fresh air and exercise are both so important for our mental health.  If you are feeling down, make sure to take some time out of your day to go outside and walk.  Even if it’s just a short walk down the road, it will do you good!

3.  Take A Break From Social Media

I love social media and think it’s a great way to connect with others….I mean my entire business started from instagram!  But!  I also know that social media can begin to affect our mental health in a negative way if used excessively.

If you are ever feeling low mentally or emotionally, I recommend taking a break from social media.  The break could be anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks.  I always feel awesome after taking these breaks!  It’s the best time to focus on being present with my surroundings.

4.  Have A Dance Party To Your Favorite Music

A good old fashioned dance party is one of the best ways to boost our mood.  So, crank up your favorite music and move your body!  You don’t even need to be in a group, some of the best dance parties can happen all by yourself in your home or car!

5.  Declutter Something

I know that cleaning and decluttering are not the first things that come to mind when thinking of free self-care ideas.  However, tidying a space in your home can truly help clear your mind.

6.  Read A Book

There just isn’t anything better than getting lost in a good book (where are my fellow book nerds at?!?!).  Take some time to relax with one of your favorite books, or try a new one.  Let your worries drift away as you focus on the story.  Don’t forget that you can check out books for free at your public library!

Some of my favorite books are:  The Orphan Keeper, Pride and Prejudice, The Secret Keeper, Before We Were Yours, Listening For Lions, and Little Women.

7.  Keep A Journal

Have you ever tried journaling?  It can be a very therapeutic way to release stress and worries.  Start a journal and write about all of your fun memories, your favorite activities, things you are looking forward to, your feelings about the day, goals for the future, etc.  

There are so many ways to keep a journal.  You can start one online, use your Notes App from your phone, or buy a pretty journal to write in.

8.  Take A Nap

Sometimes all our body needs is some extra rest to feel ready to tackle the day.  Give yourself an hour or two of peace and quiet and take a power nap.  It’s ok if you don’t even fall asleep, laying and resting in a quiet place is often enough to give us the self care we need.

9.  Watch The Sunset

Take a drive or walk to a place where you can watch the sunset.  Enjoy being in nature and set your worries aside for a few minutes.

10.  Try A New Workout

Get your endorphins up with an at home workout.  I’ll be the first to admit that it’s hard for me to make time for working out, but whenever I do, I feel so much better mentally!  There are so many free workouts you can find on YouTube.  I love Grow With Jo, Yoga With Adrienne, and Pop Sugar Fitness.

11.  Meditate

I’ll be the first to admit that I use to not like the idea of meditation.  But, that was before I actually understood it.  Now, I love resting my eyes and mind for 10-20 minutes of meditation.  It can make a huge difference in my mood for the day.  You can find free meditation exercises on youtube that will guide you through the process.

12.  Drink A Large Glass of Water

Self care also includes taking care of our bodies, and drinking enough water is one of the best things we can do for our bodies.  When we drink plenty of water we will have much more energy and feel better for the rest of the day. If you are feeling down, pour yourself a large glass of water and take care of your body!

13.  Watch Your Favorite Movie

One of my favorite free self care ideas is to watch your favorite movie or tv show.  There is nothing better than snuggling up on the couch, or in your bed, and let your mind turn off as you enjoy some on screen entertainment.

14.  Call A Friend

Don’t forget to make time for your relationships, it does wonder for our mood.  I love calling up my sister and discussing the things that are on my mind, letting her ease my worries and listening to her advice.  It’s a vital form of self care!

15.  Pick Wildflowers

Bring nature indoors with some beautiful wildflowers!  Maybe you have flowers in your yard, or can pick some from the side of the road.  Either way, try to pick a big bouquet of flowers to bring inside.  Put them in a vase or a jar and place them somewhere you can see them regularly.  There is just something about nature that renews my soul!

16.  Invite Friends Over

Give yourself some self care by inviting over a few close friends.  You could host a game night, clothing swap, movie night, BBQ, book club, or just get together to chat and munch on some snacks!  Taking the time out of our day to spend quality time with others is really good for our mental health.

17.  Give Yourself An At Home Mani or Pedi

Give your hands and feet a nice soak and then paint your nails with a fresh new color.  We love using this UV light nail dryer for fresh gel nails!

18.  Light A Candle

Candles are such a great way to change the mood of your living space.  I instantly feel happier when I smell the crisp pumpkin spice scent from my candle and can watch the beautiful light of the candle flicker in the dark.  This is such an easy, but wonderful way to self care!

19.  Get Dressed Up

There is just something about looking our best, that makes us feel our best!  So, take an hour or so to dress in the clothes that make you feel amazing, fix your hair, and give yourself some glam makeup.  Even if you are just running errands or sitting around at home, you will feel amazing!

Self Care On A Budget Is Possible

You can give yourself the self care and treatment you deserve, without spending a lot of money.  I hope you try a few of these ideas today.  And, don’t forget that you are loved, you are important and you matter!  Tell yourself that 3 times every day!

 

 

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Free Things To Do In Salt Lake City

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Check out this list of all the free things to do in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Planning a trip to Salt Lake City, Utah?  You will not be disappointed by all this beautiful city has to offer.  Nestled right below the mountains is the beautiful metropolis of Salt Lake City with tons of free fun.  From outdoor activities to nightlife to tons of family friendly activities you will find something for everyone.  Check out my list of 26 free things to do in Salt Lake City.

Historical Buildings

Utah is full of rich history.  It was settled by LDS pioneers in a search for religious freedom.  Many of their original buildings have been preserved for tours and are open to the public.

1.  Historic Temple Square

Salt Lake City’s most popular attraction is the Historic Temple Square.  This is the headquarters for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and sits on 10 acres of ground and includes two visitor centers, a history museum, historic buildings and beautiful gardens.

All of the attractions are free and most are open to the public.  There are free tours available throughout the day, but you are also welcome to walk through the grounds and tour them yourself.  The buildings and gardens are all beautiful.  During the winter months temple square is decked out in beautiful Christmas lights making for a fun evening out.

2.  Utah State Capitol

Another beautiful historical building to visit is the Utah State Capitol.  It sits up in the hills overlooking the city.  The Utah State Capitol was built in 1916 out of beautiful granite and marble.  If you enjoy historical buildings, this is a don’t miss!  Enjoy a free self guided tour seven days a week using one of these free brochures.

3.  Beehive House

One of my favorite historical building to tour in Salt Lake City is the Beehive House.  This was the home of Brigham Young, who was the first governor of the Utah Territory, and was built in 1854.  The home is well restored with artifacts, beautiful wood work and history.  Free tours of the Beehive House are available Monday through Friday.

4.  Governors Mansion

If you enjoy historical buildings you will love touring the Governors Mansion.  This home was built in 1903 and is absolutely stunning.  Free self guided tours are available through the Preservation Utah website.  

5.  Joseph Smith Memorial Building

The Joseph Smith Memorial Building was originally built in 1911 as a luxury hotel.  It has since been converted to office and event space.  Anyone is welcome to come walk through this beautiful historic building and enjoy the marble columns, grand staircase, and beautiful rooms.

6.  Cathedral Of The Madeleine

Another must stop while in Salt Lake City is the Cathedral of the Madeleine.  This incredible cathedral was built in 1909 and boasts a gothic interior, complete with gargoyles and murals.  It truly is a beautiful sight!

7.  Benson Grist Mill

The Benson Grist Mill is an impressive mill that was built in 1854 and later restored.  A visit to the mill will give insight into how the early pioneers made their flour.  In addition to the mill you will find other pioneer buildings and homes for a peek into pioneer life.  It is located about 30 minutes west of Salt Lake City and tours are free.

 

Museums

You can find a big selection of free museums available in the Salt Lake City area.  There is something for everyone, you will find museums about history, art, science and more.  They make for a great educational and fun afternoon for the whole family.

8.  Clark Planetarium

Clark Planetarium is a must stop in Salt Lake City if you have kids.  We spent hours here the last time we went and I couldn’t believe it was all FREE!  This museum hosts many interactive exhibits teaching about earth and space.  It is kid friendly and so much fun for all ages.

9.  Pioneer Memorial Museum

After enjoying the state capitol building head over to the Pioneer Memorial Museum just across the street.  Here you will be treated to hundreds of pioneer artifacts that were brought across the country when settling Utah.  Entry into the museum is completely free.

10.  Utah Museum of Contemporary Art

If you are an art lover you must stop by the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art.  Located in downtown Salt Lake, the Utah MOCA houses contemporary art with pieces and exhibit that rotate throughout the year.  It’s completely free to enter and a great visit!

11.  Hill Aerospace Museum

The Hill Aerospace Museum is located 30 minutes north of Salt Lake City, but is worth the drive if you enjoy military equipment.  This museum houses more than 90 exhibits featuring military aircraft and vehicles.

12.  Bean Museum

If you travel 45 minutes south of Salt Lake City you will find the campus of BYU in Provo, Utah.  BYU offers a few free museums to enjoy.  The Bean Museum is one of our favorites.

This national history museum displays life like exhibits of both plants and animals.  This is a great educational experience for kids and adults.

13.  BYU Museum of Paleontology

 After enjoying the bean museum, head over to the BYU Museum of Paleontology.  Here you will find numerous dinosaur fossils and exhibits, we especially enjoyed the triceratops head.  Our favorite part of this museum was the window where we could watch real paleontologists dusting off fossils.  It was really fun to see the actual work being done to bring these fossils to life.

14.  BYU Museum of Art

The third museum I recommend visiting while in Provo is the free BYU Museum of Art.  This isn’t a huge museum, but it is free and rotates exhibits throughout the year so there is always something new to see and enjoy.

15.  Fort Douglas Military Museum

Another great military museum to visit is the Fort Douglas Military Museum.  This fort was built in 1862 to house US soldiers that were sent to monitor what was happening in the Utah Territory.

This fort has been turned into a free museum and has displays of military memorabilia, tanks, helicopters and more.

 

Outdoor Activities

Utah is known for their great outdoors.  There are so many beautiful sights to see and experience in the Salt Lake City area.

16.  City Creek

City Creek is a unique outdoor mall located right in downtown Salt Lake.  You don’t even need to shop the high end retailers to enjoy this fun area.  It has fountains, streams stocked with live fish, and beautiful architecture.  City Creek is so fun to walk around, relax and people watch.

17.  Gilgal Sculpture Garden

Hidden in a residential neighborhood you will find the Gilgal Sculpture Garden.  This garden is open to the public and contains a 12 large sculptures and over 70 engraved stones all crafted by Thomas Battersby Child Jr. during the mid century.  Not many people know about this garden and it is a fun hidden surprise.

18.  International Peace Garden

Make sure your visit to Salt Lake City includes a stop at the International Peace Garden located on the Jordan River.  It features different exhibits highlighting 29 different nations.  When visiting this park you will be able to visit areas focused on Japan, Wales, Finland, and more.

19.  Wheeler Farm

One of our favorite free things to do in Salt Lake City with kids is to visit Wheeler Farm.  This is a working farm, but open to the public.  It has animals to pet, a farm house, a wooded area with trails and many fun things to see, all on 75 acres of land.  Wheeler Farm is a great way to spend an afternoon, pet the animals, and have a picnic.

It is completely free to visit the farm, but there are other activities available for a small fee, including a wagon ride and a tour of the farmhouse.

20.  Ensign Peak

If you enjoy hiking you might love hiking Ensign Peak for great views of the Salt Lake Valley.  This is a popular hike in Utah located near the state capitol building.  The Ensign Peak hike is less than a mile long, but very steep.  It’s doable for all hiking levels, but is definitely not easy.

21.  Snowbird Observation Point Trail

If you are looking for an easier paved trail be sure check out the Snowbird Observation Point Trail.  This family friendly trail is located from the third floor of the Snowbird Center.  The trail is only a half mile long and ends with an incredible view.

22.  Splash Pads

During the summer months you will find multiple free splash pads open around the city.  These are the perfect way to cool down with the kids on a hot day.

Be sure to check out these fun splash pads:  Ellison Park, Legacy Regional Park, Liberty Park, The Gateway, and Oquirrh Shadows Park.

23.  Swim In The Great Salt Lake

Swimming in the Great Salt Lake can be such a fun experience, because of the huge amount of salt this is not like swimming in your typical lake.

If this is something you want to try for yourself, make sure to read Fly By The Seat Of Her Pants article here all about their swimming experience in the Great Salt Lake.

24.  Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve

Another great outdoor excursion for families is to visit the Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve.  This preserve has over 4 million birds visit each year, including 250 different species.  It’s a great outing for bird lovers.  Enjoy a walk along the 1.3 mile boardwalk loop while observing the wetlands and wildlife.

 

Other Fun Sites

You might also enjoy one of these other fun activities in SLC.

25.  Salt Lake City Library

The Salt Lake City Library offers more than just books.  It truly is a stunning architectural masterpiece and even has rooftop garden and secret staircase (let me know if you find it!).

26.  Utah Olympic Park

Utah’s Olympic Park was built for the 2002 Olympic Games and is now used as an Olympic training facility.  It is such a neat place to visit and get a taste of what the athletes experience when training for the Olympic games.

There are many things to do here, some cost money, but some are available for free!  First, you can enjoy two free museums.  One of them has memorabilia from the Utah Winter Olympics and the other museum has a lot of hands on activities teaching about skiing in Utah. 

My favorite free activity at the Olympic Park is watching the athletes train.  On many days you will be able to see both skeleton athletes and freestyle aerialists training.  I especially oved watching the aerialists flip into the pool.

 

So Many Free Family Friendly Activities

There are so many free things to do and see while in Salt Lake City.  Is there anything I forgot to add to my list?  Let me know in the comments!

 

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50 Fun Summer Activities For Kids

By: Sweet Frugal Life2 Comments

The Ultimate List of Screen Free Summer Activities For Kids At Home.

Summer break is just around the corner.  I have been looking forward to summer for weeks!  I just love having my kids home with me and I always look forward to a more relaxed schedule full of fun family activities.  There are so many fun summer activities for kids, and we love to take advantage of all of them!

fun summer activities

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Outdoor Summer Kids Activities

One of our favorite parts of summer is getting to spend more time outside.  I love exploring the outdoors, especially with my sweet kids!

 Picnic at The Park

Enjoy some time outdoors with a picnic at the park.  We love going to a new park each week and getting to explore different areas of our city.  We bring these Rate The Park sheets with us and my kids love critiquing each park we attend.

Rate The Park printable

Play Frisbee

Another fun summer activity is to play frisbee in the backyard.   Make sure to also check your local parks to see if they have a frisbee golf course you could play at.

Run Through the Sprinkler

Set a sprinkler outside and let your kids run through it in their swim suits.  I’m pretty sure it’s impossible to run through the sprinkler without having fun.  There is just something about this simple activity that brightens up the day.

“Paint” with Water

Get out a bucket of water and an old paintbrush.  Let your kids use the water and brush to “paint” the sidewalk, house and anything else they want.  It’s so fun for them to watch the color change as they paint.

Go on a Walk

Get outside and get moving with a nice walk.  We love to walk around our neighborhood or try out a few of the walking paths in our city.  Make a family goal to walk 100 miles over the summer and celebrate with a treat once accomplished.

 

100 Miles Challenge Printable

Picnic in Backyard

Move the meal outside with a simple backyard picnic.  Lay a blanket down in the shade and eat dinner outdoors enjoying nature.

Draw With Sidewalk Chalk

Get out some sidewalk chalk and draw pictures on your driveway.  You could draw a hopscotch course or a road for your bikes to travel through.  My kids also really love when I trace their bodies on the sidewalk and then let them color in their clothes and faces.

Draw on Sidewalk With Ice Cubes

Don’t have any side walk chalk?  Draw with ice cubes instead!  They will melt on the hot pavement as you are drawing your picture.

Go On A Bike Ride

One of my favorite summer activities is to go on a bike ride together.  Get your family outside for a fun family bike ride.  Make sure to log your bike miles on your 100 Miles Challenge printable.

Nature Scavenger Hunt

Give your kids a paper bag and a list of items to find out in nature.  This might be a rock, pine cone, dandelion, etc.  Have them go outside and collect their findings in their bag.  When they get back let everyone show each other their new treasures.  Such a fun way to get kids outside exploring.

Go On A Hike

Take your kids on an easy hike.  Make sure everyone finds a hiking stick!  Hiking sticks are always a necessity for our kids!

 

 

Plant A Garden

Work together with your kids to plant a garden together.  They will be so proud when they harvest their veggies.

Jump On The Trampoline With Water Balloons

Another fun and cheap outdoor summer activity is to fill up a few water balloons with water and put them on the trampoline.  The kids love jumping with them and the surprise of when they pop and spray out water.

Play Catch

Get out a ball and play catch together as a family.  Try to see how many times you can catch the ball without letting it drop.

Blow Bubbles

How about having fun blowing bubbles together.  You could try to see who can make the biggest bubble!

girl blowing bubbles

Go Geocaching

Have you ever been geocaching?  Geocaching is a game similar to a treasure hunt.  Community members hide geocaches in parts of the city and then give clues to help you and your family find it.  You can learn more about it here.  Each geocache contains little toys and trinkets.  It’s such a fun way to explore new places, and the kids love finding the treasure!

Play Night Games With Flash Lights

Invite a group of friends over to play night games together.  Our favorites to play are Ghost In The Graveyard and Kick The Can. 

Catch Bugs

Kids love to catch bugs during the summertime!  We usually keep them in a jar for an hour to watch and observe and then set them free again.  One of the fun parts of catching bugs is to research them.  It’s fun to find out information about each but, like what they like to eat, and teach these facts to your kids.

Star Gaze

Stay up late one night so you can watch the stars.  Show your kids a few of the constellations and try to find a shooting star.  Download a free star finder app to help you learn the constellations together.

Make a Fairy Garden

Use your creativity and put together a Fairy Garden in your back yard.  Build a mini house out of twigs and decorate with twigs and flowers.  We did this a few years ago and it was such a fun summer activity!

Give The Bikes a Wash

Set up a car wash, but for the bikes!  All you need is a hose, some rags, a few buckets of soapy water and your bike wash is ready!  Kids love giving each of the bikes a good wash while playing in the water.

Play Jump Rope

Get out a few jump ropes to play with.  Try to see how many times you can jump over the rope before it stops or play a few games like Double Dutch.

Make An Obstacle Course

Use your backyard to make an obstacle course for your kids.  Your obstacle course might include having the kids walk across a “balance beam” (a piece of wood or jump rope work great), run around all the cones (or chairs), jump on the trampoline three times, and then throw a ball.  Use your imagination and get creative while setting it up.  Use a timer to see how fast they can get through the course.

After the kids run through the obstacle course, let them set one up for you to try!

Set up a Lemonade Stand

Mix up some lemonade and sell it in front of your home.  This is a fun way to socialize with the neighbors and help the kids learn about money.

Make a Nature Journal

Start a Nature Journal.  This will be a place to save some of the fun things you find outside, draw pictures of the places you visit and write all about what you love about nature.

 

 

Indoor Summer Activities

Looking for a few fun summer activities that can be done indoors?  Try one of these suggestions!

Make Play Dough

Whip up some homemade play dough for your kids to enjoy.  This play dough recipe is so quick and easy (seriously failproof!).  Or, if you want to try something different check out this Peanut Butter Play Dough recipe (it’s my kids favorite!).

Lined up plasticine balls isolated

Try A Science Experiment

Science experiments are always a fun summer activity for kids!  We love this Magic Toothpick Experiment.  It’s super quick and mess free (just the way this mamma likes it!)

Bake Cookies

Spend a few hours in the kitchen together baking your favorite cookies.  We personally love chocolate chip cookies!  This is also a great way to help kids learn how to read a recipe and measure ingredients.

Make Up A Play

Encourage your kids to make up a play that they can perform.  Set up a little stage area to help them feel official.  Invite over a few grandparents to watch the big performance!

Build A Fort

Get out some blankets and build a big fort.  You can drape them over the kitchen table or a few chairs.  Once your fort is built you can cuddle up and read books together or watch a movie!

Make A Dream Catcher

If your kids enjoy crafting, make a dream catcher together.  It’s a great craft for older kids who are able to sit still.  I love this tutorial for making a dream catcher out of a paper plate, a perfect craft activity for kids!

Make Slime

Slime is all the rage in the kid crowd.  It only requires a few ingredients and brings hours of fun play.  Here’s a super easy slime recipe.

Play Hide-and-Seek or Sardines

Play a few family friendly games in the house.  We love Hide And Seek or Sardines!  For a fun change turn off all of the lights and play in the dark using flashlights!

Color Hot Rocks

Try out our favorite twist on painting rocks.  All you need is a rock and some crayons!  Find the tutorial here.

Painting Baked Rocks

Write Letters To Friends or Family

Everyone loves to get an old fashioned letter in the mail, or at least I do!  Spend an afternoon writing letters for friends or family.

Play Board Games

My daughters and I love spending an afternoon playing board games together.  It’s such a fun way to pass the time and enjoy some friendly competition.

Make A Summer Scrapbook

Put together a summer scrapbook of your favorite summer memories.  Include pictures and any special events.

Sing Karaoke

Find free karaoke songs on YouTube and have an old fashioned karaoke party.   Here’s a highly rated karaoke machine your kids will love!

Make A Nature Bookmark

Preserve flowers you find on your nature walk by turn them into a Nature Bookmark.

Fold Origami

Learn how to fold origami.  There are many easy tutorials on YouTube.  I would start with a frog, they are my favorite!

Put On A Puppet Show

Make puppets out of brown paper bags and put on a puppet show for each other.

performance in the puppet theater

Make Homemade Butter

Teach your kids about life on the prairie by making homemade butter together.  All you need is some cream and a jar!  After you make the butter you can enjoy it on a piece of bread, so yummy!!!

Indoor Treasure Hunt

Put together a simple indoor treasure hunt for your kids to go on.  You can hide different items around the house with clues to find each one.  Don’t forget to leave a fun surprise treasure at the end!

Go To The Library

Visit your local library for a fun day out.  We always set a goal to read 50 books in a summer, the library is the perfect place to get to that goal!  Many libraries will offer summer reading program for the family, complete with prizes and activities.

Play Dress-Up

Get out a few dress up clothes for your kids to play with.  See who can dress up in the funniest outfit.  If you don’t have any dress up clothes, you could let them dress up in some of your clothing.

Have A Dance Party

Turn on some music and have a dance party in your living room!  I have a playlist on my phone with all of our favorite dance tunes, it’s so fun and a great way to cut loose.

Put Together A Puzzle

Spend the day doing a puzzle together.  It’s so relaxing and a great way to bring out some conversation.  We love Eric Dowdle Puzzles!

Make Ice Cream In A Bag

Make homemade ice cream in a bag.  It’s really easy to do and the perfect activity for a hot summers day!

ice cream in a bag

Have An Impromptu Photo Shoot

Get dressed up and have an impromptu photo shoot.  Let your kids choose the poses and locations.  It’s always so fun to see what they come up with!

Learn Magic Tricks

Look up a few magic tricks on YouTube.  Once you have a few tricks learned, put on a magic show for each other!

In Conclusion

There are so many fun kids summer activities out there, and many of them won’t cost you any money at all.  Kids grow to fast!  I hope you will use summer time as a way to reconnect and build lasting memories.

 

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20 FREE Valentine Date Ideas

By: Sweet Frugal Life4 Comments

Our favorite budget friendly valentine dates!

With Valentines Day just a couple weeks away my husband and I started brainstorming some free date night ideas.  Valentines Day does not always have to be celebrated with an expensive dinner and fancy night out.  There is no price tag on quality time spent with the one you love very most.  And now, here is our list of 20 FREE Valentine Date Ideas.

I’m sharing a few of our favorite ideas below!  Some are a little more romantic, and others are just plain old fun!  There is a great date idea for everyone!

These dates are perfect for any date night, it doesn’t have to be on Valentines Day!  I hope you find a new favorite!

20 Free Valentine Date Ideas

It’s possible to enjoy a fun date with your spouse…without having to spend any money!  Here’s a few ways you can do it!

1.  Candlelight Picnic

There is no need to go out to a fancy restaurant to have a candlelight dinner.  You can set one up at home!

To make an at home candlelight dinner, just put a blanket on the floor and few candles set around the room.  Make sure to cook your loves favorite dinner and enjoy eating and talking over candlelight.

2.  Night Drive and Star Gazing

You might enjoy going on a long drive, just the two of you.  This is a great time to talk without any interruptions.

Drive to somewhere secluded and wrap up in a blanket together and enjoy some star gazing from the back of your car.  Use a star finder app to locate a few constellations.

3.  Netflix and Chill  

Who doesn’t love to Netflix and Chill????  This is a classic date, and for good reason!

All you have to do is set up some blankets and pillows in front of the TV.  Enjoy snuggling together while watching your favorite Netflix shows.

4.  Game Night

Another great free date night idea is to have a game night together.  Pop some popcorn, get out your favorite snacks and crack open a few games.  Let your flirty and friendly banter come out and enjoy a fun game night together with just the two of you.

If you are needing some fun, family friendly games, check out this article!

5.  At Home Star Gazing

If you don’t want to go for a drive to look at the stars, you could do some star gazing at home!

Make it a little more special by stringing up some Christmas lights on your back porch and getting out a few blankets to snuggle in.

6.  Stroll through Memory Lane

Get out old pictures and letters you may have written to each other.  Reminisce about your first dates and talk about how special your love story is.  This is a great way to rekindle the flame and to grow closer together as a couple.

7.  Cook Dinner Together

Do you or your significant other enjoy cooking?  You might enjoy spending an evening cooking in the kitchen together!

Turn on some music and enjoy each others company while cooking dinner together.  Light some candles in the kitchen to help set the mood.

After the dinner is cooked you can enjoy eating the nice meal together!

8.  Couple Questions

Even after 17 years of marriage, I am still learning new things about my husband!  It’s always fun to find out a new quirk or story from his past.

Find a list of couple questions, like this one, to ask each other.  This is a fun free date night to see how well you already know each other and enjoy learning new details about your lover.

9.  Roast Smores at Home

You don’t need a campfire to make smores!  You can roast them right at home over the stove.

Make them into gourmet smores by adding peanut butter or nutella to the graham cracker!  Yum!

10.  Dessert Iron Chef

Play an at home version of Iron Chef.  This is such  a fun cooking competition game!

To play Iron Chef, pick a few “secret ingredients” that you both have to use in your dessert concoction.  Set a time limit for each person to whip up the best dessert they can, all while using the “secret ingredients.”  End the game by taking turns judging each others desserts.

11.  Snowy Walk

If you live in a cold climate (like I do), Valentines Day usually includes snow.  Use this to your advantage by taking a walk with your love out in the snow.

Try to explore a new trail or area you have never been before and enjoy the winter beauty together.

12.  Comedy Night

Have an at home comedy night.  Grab your favorite snacks and search you tube for funny videos or watch a comedian on Netflix, our favorite is always Jim Gaffigan.

13.  Window Shopping

If you are wanting a free Valentines Date out in the town you might enjoy window shopping.  This is a fun way to browse the stores, without having to spend money.

Make it a little more fun by picking out funny items for each other to try one.  See who can find the funniest outfit and promise each other you will try it on no matter what!

14.  Photo Scavenger Hunt

Another fun and free Valentines date idea is to have a date night photo scavenger hunt.  Try to complete the list together, but give yourself a certain amount of time to make it more exciting.  This date is always so fun!

Free Valentines Day Date Ideas

15.  Fondue Night

Have a fondue night at home by melting chocolate chips in the microwave.  Enjoy good conversation together while dipping fruit and marshmallows into the chocolate.

16.  Heads or Tails Drive

A heads or tails drive is a really fun date night idea!  First, pack a picnic dinner into the car.  Then, go for a drive using a coin to find your destination. 

At every intersection flip the coin.  If the coin lands on heads, turn right.  If it is tails, turn left. turn right if it’s heads and left if it’s tails.  Do this for 10-20 intersections and then enjoy eating the picnic together at whatever the destination ends up being.

17.  Paint Night

Let your artistic side show with this free Valentines Date idea!  Whip out the paints and a few canvases for you and your honey to paint on.  Enjoy talking to each other while painting your individual masterpieces.  I’m not very creative, but I do always enjoy this activity.  It’s so soothing!

18.  Video Games

Play a few video games together and let your competitive sides show with friendly banter and laughs.

19.  Sledding and Hot Chocolate

Enjoy a fun night outside sledding together.  End the night back home snuggling next to the fire while sipping hot chocolate.

20.  Health Night

If you are looking for a physical activity to do on a date, consider doing some couples yoga together.  You can find a lot of great, free videos on YouTube!  Afterwards prepare a healthy dinner together and enjoy each others company while focusing on your health.

In Conclusion

There are so many ways to date your significant other, without spending any money.  The most important part of a date is spending quality time together!  

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How To Get Free Stuff On Your Birthday

By: Sweet Frugal Life2 Comments

Places that give you free stuff on your birthday.

Today just so happens to be my birthday!  Yay!  Happy Birthday to me!  Birthdays are so fun!  But!  They are even MORE fun when you figure out how to get free stuff on your birthday!  This week, my email inbox has been flooded with birthday freebies and coupons and I am excited to share with you all of the places that give you free stuff on your birthday.

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How To Get Free Meals On Your Birthday

First up, let’s talk about free meals!  Here are a few of my favorite places to get free meals.  They all require signing up for their email list, which is so quick and easy to do!

IHOP

Sign up for MYHOP to receive free pancakes each year, and to be the first to hear about other deals happening.  This makes the best birthday breakfast!

Tucanos

When you join Club Tucanos you will begin receiving special offers in your inbox, but my favorite is the free meal for your birthday month!

Firehouse Sub

Another great birthday freebie meal is from Firehouse subs.  All you have to do is sign up for Firehouse Rewards and you will be sent a coupon for a Free Medium Sub every year on your birthday.  Yay!  You don’t even have to use it on your actual birthday!

Rainforest Cafe

Sign up for the Rainforest Cafe Club and receive a free $25 welcome gift AND a $25 gift on your birthday!  This is such a great deal!

Black Bear Diner

You can also get a free birthday meal AND welcome meal from the Black Bear Diner by signing up for their eclub.

Bd’s Mongolian Grill 

Join Bd’s Mongolian Grill and receive a free $5 off gift and a Free Meal on your birthdays!

Ruby Tuesday

Signing up SO Connected with Ruby Tuesday gives you access to free deals, and your choice of a Free burger or Garden Bar entrée on every birthday!

Benihana

You can get treated to a $30 gift certificate to Benihanas every birthday when you join their Chef’s Table list.  This is a great deal, and you are able to use the certificate anytime within 29 days of receiving it.

Dennys

Get a free Grand Slam meal on your birthday at Denny’s Restaurant.  You don’t even need to sign up for anything, just let your server know it’s your special day.

Buffalo Wild Wings

Join the Buffalo Wild Wings rewards program and get free buffalo wings during your birthday month!

 

How to Get Free Dessert On Your Birthday

And now, for my favorite part of a birthday, the dessert!  Here are a few fun birthday freebies for you to enjoy!

Marble Slab  

Earn points and a birthday freebie from Marble Slab when you download their app.

Dippin Dots

Who doesn’t love Dippin Dots?  Sign up for their email club to get coupons sent to your inbox, including a birthday freebie!

Sprinkles Cupcakes

One of my favorite birthday freebies is from Sprinkles Cupcakes!  All you have to do is join their Sprinkles Perks program to start earning rewards.  The more you spend at Sprinkles throughout the year, the more free cupcakes (up to a bakers dozen!) you will get on your birthday.  

A&W

You will be treated to a free A&W Root Beer Float when you sign up for the A&W Mug Club.

Krispy Kreme

Sign up for Krispy Kreme rewards and you will be able to get a free doughnut and drink during your birthday month!

Jamba Juice

Start earning rewards by joining My Jamba, once you have at least 15 points you can get a free birthday smoothie!

Red Mango

You can get a $5 reward every birthday when you sign up for Red Mangos Club Mango program.  It also includes other perks, which I love!

Del Taco

Get two free tacos for signing up with Del Taco AND you will also receive a free birthday milkshake each year.

Orange Leaf  

Join Orange Leaf to earn points and rewards and $3 off on your birthday!

Baskin Robbins

Enjoy a free scoop of ice cream for your birthday from Baskin Robbins by signing up for their Birthday Club email list.

La Madeleine

Download and sign up for the La Madeleine app and you will get a free pastry or piece of cake on your birthday!

Starbucks

Become a Starbucks rewards member and you will get a free drink or food item of your choice on your birthday.

Auntie Annes

Download the Pretzel Perks app to get a free birthday pretzel from Auntie Annes.

Edible Arrangements

Edible Arrangements offers a great birthday freebie!  Just sign up for their email list and you will get a box of chocolate dipped fruit on your birthday.  It’s a $29 value!

Perkins

Join the MyPerkins program to receive coupons and special deals throughout the year and on your birthday from Perkins.

 

Places That Will Give You A Free Coupon On Your Birthday

Do you love getting a surprise for your birthday each year?  Because I sure do!  Here are a few places willing to send you a free surprise birthday gift each year.  Sometimes it’s just fun to not know what you are getting!

Rodizio Grill 

Sign up for Club Rodizio and Rodizio Grill will send you a surprise coupon on your birthday.

Baja Fresh

You will get a free birthday surprise each year when you join Club Baja.

Marie Callenders

Receive free birthday coupons for signing up to the Marie Callender’s E-Club.

The Melting Pot

Join Club Fondue to get The Melting Pot coupons sent right to your inbox.

Texas De Brazil

Texas De Brazil will send you free surprise coupons on your birthday and on your anniversary when you sign up for their eclub.  Even more freebies!

Pretzelmaker

You can get a free birthday surprise from pretzelmaker when you join their eclub.

Red Lobster

Another place that will give you free coupons on your birthday is Red Lobster.  Just join their Rewards program.

Perkins:  When you join with Perkins you will automatically receive 20% off, and then a special surprise on your birthdays.

 

Non Food Birthday Freebies

If you are looking for some non food birthday freebies, check out these great offers below!

Redbox

Sign up with Redbox to get a free movie rental each year on your special day!

Sephora

You get to choose a free makeup item from Sephora during your birthday month if you sign up to become a Beauty Insider Member.

 

In Conclusion

If you are wondering how to get free stuff on your birthday, I hope this article gave you a few good hints.  You will love receiving all of these free coupons in your e-mail during your birthday month.

 

 

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Birthday Traditions for Small Budgets

Budget Friendly Pancake and Pajama Birthday Party!

LEGO Birthday Party for Under $20

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10 Free Things At The Library

By: Sweet Frugal Life7 Comments

Check out these awesome free resources at your library!

Taking full advantage of our public library has been such a money saver for our family.  I think it’s fairly common to associate books with the public library, (which as a book worm is already an awesome thing!), but the library can offer so so much more than beautiful books.  Everything the library offers is completely free, making it a great way to save money, while still enjoying life!  Today I am sharing 10 free things at the library.

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10 Free Things At The Library

1.  Books, Books, Books!

We will start the list off with the most obvious thing to borrow from the library; and that is books.  Reading is one of my very favorite forms of entertainment, and if you borrow books from the library, it is completely FREE!  (which also happens to be another one of my favorite things!)

There is no need to spend a lot of money on books.  The library has just about any book you could imagine.  I often check out books about finance, parenting, biographies, self-help, they have fiction or non-fiction, you name it the library has it.  My kids love going to the children’s selection and getting to choose their very own books to borrow for a couple of weeks.

2.  Movies and TV Shows

A few years ago our finances became unexpectedly tight.  We cut out every unnecessary expense, including cancelling all cable, Netflix, Hulu, etc.

This is when I really started taking advantage of the fantastic movie selection at our local library.  We began going once a week and the kids picked out a couple of TV shows or movies they wanted and I picked out a few for my husband and I.

I was pleasantly surprised at just how great of a selection they had.  If you’re wanting to cut out extras from your budget but are worried about the TV options, try checking a few movies out at your library, I bet you’ll find something you like.

3.  Classes and Clubs

Another awesome free things at the library are the classes and clubs.   I recently completed an excellent Parenting class through the library.  I have also seen classes available about Healthy Eating and Finances.

They also have many free clubs.  My library has a knitting club, chess club, and book club.  All for adults…all for FREE!

I love the fantastic choices of classes and clubs for my kids to participate in as well.  They host family activities about once a month, activities on holidays, science club, coding club, and more.

It feels like every few weeks the librarian is introducing my kids to a new fun activity that they are welcome to be a part of.  I take advantage of these during the summer months when the kids might be feeling a little bored while out of school and need to stretch their minds a bit.

4.  Story Time

Story Time is our most used of all the kids activities offered.  This is the perfect FREE activity to take your little ones to during the long cold winter months.

We love getting out of the house, while not having to spend any money.  Story time is a regular activity for us, and each of my kids have a favorite librarian they look forward to seeing.

My local library always puts out a list months in advance of what each weeks story times will be about.  We make sure to note the topics I know my kids would NOT want to miss and put it on the calendar.

My kids love being introduced to new books and songs and occasionally they will have a fun little craft to do together.  We LOVE story time!

5.  Audio Books

I know Audio Books are one of those either you love em or hate em type thing.  But, I happen to fall under the love em category!  I love to listen to audio books when I am doing housework or if we are on a road trip.

The public library has a giant selection of Audio Books for both adults and kids!  I love to borrow one or two and we listen to them in the car, while driving to school, running errands, or on a road trip.

I spend quite a bit of time in the car with my kids taking them to and from school and other activities.  If I put in an audio book they are MUCH less likely to complain and fight with each other.  (Which is pretty important in our car.  🙂 )

6.  Wi-Fi

This is another library service that we discovered during a time of need.  A year ago we were in transition between homes and found ourselves living at a place that had no internet access.

We knew we were only going to be there for a few months and didn’t want to spend the money to set up fees for such a short amount of time.  Which was hard.  So many things are done online now a days, I knew I needed to find somewhere to access Wi-Fi.

I was very happy when I learned of the library’s free Wi-Fi.   I tried to stop in once or twice a week with my laptop and a long list of things I needed to do on the internet.

This is a great option for others who may not have internet access in their budget or perhaps might be in a similar situation we were in.

7.  Music CD’s

When I had my first baby many years ago I learned that she liked to listen to fun toddler/kids music while we were driving in the car.  I bought a couple of kids CD’s for us to listen to and to keep her entertained while driving.

When my youngest was a toddler I couldn’t find those CD’s anymore.  After searching and searching I decided to check the library.  In the children’s section I found a giant selection of fun kids and Disney CD’s.  And I could check these out without spending any money!  Win!

I’ve started letting my preschooler pick one music CD to check out every time we go to the library.  He has found his few favorites and always looks forward to choosing one.

A few weeks ago my oldest daughter threw a karaoke party for some friends, and I thought, instead of buying a bunch of karaoke songs let’s check the library first.  Sure enough!  I was able to borrow a few karaoke CD’s and her friends had a blast singing and dancing all night…and I didn’t spend any money.  WIN!

8.  Games and Puzzles

I couldn’t believe it when I learned that our public library offers a few puzzles, games and learning activities for children to check out.  This is such a great service and money saver.  Kids get bored of these type of activities fairly quickly, so being able to borrow and return different games helps to keep the kids entertained and the games fresh and new.  Look into seeing if your local library offers this, and if they do, take advantage!

9.  Reading Programs and Incentives

We always take part of the reading programs and incentives.  We just finished the winter program and will sign up for the summer one in just a few months.  I love these incentive programs for a couple of different reasons.

It keeps my kids motivated and reading, even when they might not want to.  AND, I love the free coupons they hand out.

We just got a free family pass to a local swimming pool for finishing the winter reading program.  Over the summer we get weekly coupons for kids meals and fun activities and kid places around town.  Using the coupons is a fun way to keep busy over the summer, and to stay within our budget.  I otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford to take the kids to as many as these activities.

10.  Magazines and Newspapers

If you love getting magazines or newspapers, but just don’t want to spend money on the subscriptions anymore, check your library!  I have checked out some of my favorite magazines from the library.  I read them, return them, and then check out the next issue.  They have lots of topics to choose from; from automotive to wedding to home to parenting.  It’s all there.  Cancel your subscriptions and just start using the library!

In Conclusion

If you don’t have a library card, go get one!  The library offers so much more than just books.  I believe we save hundreds every year by checking with our library first instead of going out and buying.  What are your favorite free things at the library?  Comment below and let me know if I missed anything!

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