Are you familiar with a “no-spend weekend?” It’s a term that I’ve been seeing more of as we continue to see the cost-of-living rise. A no-spend weekend encourages you to plan activities that don’t require you to spend any money. It’s a great challenge that helps you focus on utilizing what you already have.
This weekend, Canadians are celebrating Family Day long weekend. It can be stressful planning long weekend activities because many of them involve travel, which costs money. This year, I encourage you to plan a no-spend weekend. You don’t have to compromise the fun and it’s much easier than you think. There are a variety of activities to choose from that encourage rest, productivity, exercise, and more.
10 Free Activities for a No-Spend Weekend
1) Go for a Walk If the weather permits, spend the weekend outdoors. Whether it’s going for a walk in your neighbourhood or exploring a new part of the city, it’s a great way to get some fresh air, exercise, and sunshine.
2) Local Activities There are always fun and free local activities to look forward to during the long weekends. Use Eventbrite to find out what’s happening in your city. These activities can range from live music to free expos.
3) Board Games We all have board games lying around, so why not dedicate the afternoon or evening to playing games? It’s a great activity that doesn’t involve our devices, and it helps everyone bond and stay present.
4) Read If you’ve set a reading goal for the year, this is the perfect opportunity to stay on top of it. Choose a relaxing playlist and find a cozy area to get some reading done this weekend. You can even find a quiet space outdoors and bring a warm cup of coffee or tea with you.
5) Clean and Declutter Spring is just a few weeks away, and it’s a great idea to get a head start on spring cleaning and decluttering your space. The long weekend gives you enough time to properly sort through your belongings and see what you can donate to charity. Don’t forget about digital decluttering too!
6) Revamp Your Space In addition to decluttering, you can also freshen up your space. Perhaps you want to redecorate, organize, or even make a specific area more functional like your home office. It’s a fun and productive activity that you can thank yourself for once you get back into your weekly routine.
7) Try a New Hobby We all have certain hobbies that we’d like to try, but never seem to have the time to do so. This long weekend, take advantage of the many free resources online to get started. Whether it’s learning how to sew, draw, or play an instrument, it’s a fun and productive way to spend your time.
8) Catch Up on TV/Movies Spending the weekend curled up on the couch and catching up on the latest shows and movies is a great way to unwind. I’m currently loving The Last of Us on Crave/HBO Max and You on Netflix.
9) Call a Loved One Life can be hectic, and sometimes we’re so laser focused on our own personal tasks, deadlines, and to-do lists that we forget to check in with our loved ones. A simple phone call can be very meaningful and it’s important we take the time to check up on the ones we care about.
10) Rest Did you know that there are 7 types of rest? Many of us have trouble with taking care of the first category, which is physical rest, let alone the others. Take advantage of the long weekend to familiarize yourself with the 7 types of rest and you’ll be sure to feel more energized for the upcoming week.
More No-Spend Weekend Tips
• Bring a water bottle with you to stay hydrated. If you’re like me and love coffee or tea, consider bringing another reusable tumbler with your favorite beverage. That way, you won’t be tempted to spend money if you come across a coffee shop.
• Visit your local library or look for a Little Free Library in your neighbourhood for new books to enjoy. You can even bring some books to add to your Little Free Library after decluttering.
• Pack a snack or light lunch if you plan on spending your time outdoors.
• If you have a monthly bus/transit pass, be sure to utilize it when attending local events.
• If you’re driving, plan to arrive early at destinations that offer free parking. This ensures you won’t have to spend money on a parking lot if there are no available spots.
As you can see, no-spend weekends are very easy to plan and can be a lot of fun. Happy Family Day long weekend to my fellow Canadians! Do you have any special plans? To the non-Canadians, how will you be spending your weekend? If you have any additional tips on how you save money, please share them in the comments. For more posts relating to holiday activities, visit my tag here.
RELATED POST: 6 Exciting Things to Do on Family Day
These are great suggestions on how to have a no-spend weekend! It is always fun going to local events (this past weekend was Fastelavn and there were a lot of activities for kids), and it is also nice staying in and playing games or watching a movie or series.
Local events are so much fun! I’m glad to hear that you had a great time. Thank you for reading Karalee.
These are all such great ideas! There really are so many fun ways to have fun without spending a dime! I’ve been trying to go for more walks, play more games, and read more… and it’s been SO much fun!
I’m so happy to hear that Heidi! There are so many great activities to enjoy that don’t cost a thing. Thank you for reading!
I love this! A no spend weekend is exactly what I need right now 😀 I love going on walks and playing board games! 🙂
Love,
Krissi of the marquise diamond
https://www.themarquisediamond.de/
Going for nature walks and playing board games are such a great way to spend the weekend. Thank you for reading Krissi!
Indeed the best things are free. 🙂 I love a walk with beautiful scenery or just curling up on the couch reading a book.
That sounds lovely Lux! I find that the best activities are usually free, especially nature walks. Thank you for reading!
With a no spend weekend, I can spend twice as much on the next weekend! I love all these ideas especially going for a walk and reading.
Our spendings on the weekend can add up, so it’s a great way to use towards other plans or even travel. Thank you for reading Wendy!
I definitely need to start doing more no spend weekends. So many amazing ideas. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for reading Charlotte!
We love the idea of having a no=spend weekend. These are all awesome ideas.
Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoy your weekend!
Lovely ideas for both spending time with loved ones and on your own.
Thank you Donna!
These are all amazing ideas. We plan on spending a lot of this weekend reading and maybe going for a walk if the weather is nice.
That sounds like a wonderful way to spend the weekend. Thank you for reading!
It’s been a long time that I haven’t visited my local library. Great ideas.
Libraries are so resourceful. I hope you have a chance to visit yours again soon. Thank you for reading Ranjana!
These are all wonderful ideas many of which I take part in regularly. Thanks for giving me some more ideas! Happy Family Day weekend!
That’s wonderful to hear Jodie! Thank you for reading and Happy Family Day weekend!
Some great suggestions for a no-spend weekend! I think utilizing what you already have at home like board games, computer games, books etc is a great way to stay occupied if you don’t want to spend anything.
Exactly! Playing games is such a wonderful activity that keeps everyone present. Thank you for reading Jenny!
Yay!!! These are cool activities to do without spending any money. Not all the time money can buy us happiness.
I agree, we can still have fun without spending a dime! Thank you for reading Fadima!
These are brilliant ways of spending weekends. I do love a catch up on TV shows and a nice walk.
It’s such a relaxing way to spend the weekend. Thank you for reading Jamie!