Whether with new friends or old, we girls all need to spend time together doing something other than being mommies to keep us feeling normal and sane. In this economic climate, it’s sometimes harder to find the money for girl’s outings than it is to find the time. So I reached out to Debra Muccio who blogs at A Frugal Friend. Shouldn’t we all have a frugal friend to help us make some smart choices?--Diana
Let’s face it – mom’s need to recharge their batteries. It benefits not only mom, but dad and the kids, too. Moms need time to step away from their roles as wife and mother and have some down time with friends. It makes us happier and more engaged when we step back into our families.
Most of the time when moms get together it’s because someone has suggested “lunch” or “dinner”. With families tightening their budgets these days, this kind of outing can be tough to do. Even if friends know money is tight, they inevitably suggest eating out. It’s the thing to do. The philosophy is that we have to eat anyway, so let’s make it a social event. When money is tight, it can really be hard to justify going out with the girls when you haven’t had a nice dinner with your husband in a while.
I have come up with a few creative and fun suggestions on how we, as moms, can have fun with our friends for less.
Find Free Local Entertainment and Programs - Check your local websites. Many towns have free activities like concerts in the park, festivals, movie nights under the stars. In addition, many corporations sponsor free activities throughout the year. Check out these programs:
• Museums on Us - Bank of America has sponsored this program since last year. If you have any Bank of America card, you get free admission into various museums across the country on certain weekends. There are art museums, aquariums, and more. Upcoming weekends are March 7-8 and April 4-5.
• Free Night of Theater 2009 – Each fall you can sign up to receive free tickets for a musical or play at certain theatres all across the country. This event would make a great afternoon or evening out with friends. You can get dressed up and enjoy the event ……and it won’t cost a dime.
• Target Community Sponsored Happenings - Target routinely sponsors free days/weekends at many art museums and theatres across the country.
Or, don't wait for someone else to set up an event. Plan one yourself!
Girl’s Potluck –
This isn’t the old church casserole potluck. Start with a theme (ex: Chinese or comfort foods) and go from there. You could send out free email invites if it’s more than just a couple of friends. Another version of this idea would be to do a Rotation Meal – have appetizers at one home, the main course at another, and dessert/coffee at yet another. While you could go crazy…..remember to keep it simple and frugal. Making an inexpensive side-dish or entrée from scratch can be much cheaper than going out and buying a complete meal. This is also an opportunity to really relax and spend time with friends without the delivery of a check signaling the end of the get-together.
Craft/Service Project –
So many of us have wonderful hobbies, yet don’t have the time to spend enjoying them. Why don’t we make the time, while enjoying our friends and giving back to the community as well?
• Knitting hats for cancer patients – they need these for warmth, especially while getting their chemotherapy treatments
• Crafting homemade cards for encouragement and delivering them to a children’s hospital, nursing home, or cancer center
Exercise -
Invite one of your friends (or many) to join you. Whether it’s going to the gym or walking in your neighborhood, this is an opportunity for great communication, great physical activity and accountability too. I know I’ll exercise more often if I have someone counting on me to show up.
Chick Flick Night (with ice cream bar) –
As the host, you get to pick the movie. Lucky for you, you just might be able to get a movie for FREE. Many of you are familiar with Redbox – there’s one just outside my Walgreens store. It’s a big red box – really. It looks like a vending machine but with DVD’s inside. Find out how to reserve the movies at www.redbox.com/ Each week you can find free codes that will allow you a free night’s rental. Just google “free redbox code.” Many blogs publish these free codes regularly. Have your friends each bring an item for the ice cream bar (half gallon flavor, topping, etc.) and movie night gets a whole lot sweeter! Fun and inexpensive.
Coffee & Dessert –
If going out to a restaurant is still your best option for getting together with friends, try going for coffee and dessert. This will save you $$$$ and you can linger as long as you like enjoying your sweet treats
I recently formed a book club with two friends. We meet once a month to discuss the book--but that only lasts about five minutes! We spend the rest of the time chatting about what's going on in our lives. For the price of a book, or better yet, a free library card, we have a great excuse to meet up after the kids are in bed for some girl talk. I love it!
What are you and your girlfriends doing together to have fun and save a few dollars?