How amazing is it that we live in a world where there are so many ‘free’ things all around us? And how unfortunate it is that we often don’t even see or take advantage of this free stuff because we’re so used to purchasing and consumption.
There’s an old saying that goes, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch,” but is that true? 🤔 Today we’re telling you it’s not, because here’s a list of free services and stuff to take advantage of that most people have access to.
Free Stuff to Take Advantage of:
Here are some free things to start taking advantage of, so you don’t miss out on all of the stuff our magnificent world has to offer. Putting these resources to use will make you smarter, save you money, and will overall lead to a healthier and more balanced life.
1. Libraries
Everyone knows about libraries, but sometimes we forget about just how much they have to offer. And, they continue to evolve and add new types of free stuff all the time. Like for example, did you know libraries are starting to offer free seeds for your home garden?
Spending a few hours at a library can be such a fun, free activity. If you have kids, let them loose in the library to pick out some books, and actually sit and read them together there. Bring some friends and read together, enjoying the nice, quiet space. Personally, one of my favorite things to do is to ask the librarians for book recommendations. It’s a great way to pick something up that you never would have chosen yourself, and discover something new.
Libraries also offer tons of other fun resources. If you’re not much of a reader, they usually offer audiobooks (check out the Libby app), which are great to listen to on the go. Many libraries also offer tons of video games and DVDs as well. You’d be surprised at how current some of the films they offer can be. Snag one of these for a free in-home movie night!
Some local libraries also host free events like readings and story times for kids, holiday parties, and certification courses. They can also be absolutely stacked with coupons for things like Broadway plays, amusement parks, the local zoo, or museums, saving you even more money.
All this to say, don’t sleep on your local library. Take advantage of their free stuff!
2. Hoopla
Hoopla combines the power of your local library with your smartphone, computer or tablet. It’s a free website and app that you can log into using your public library to access endless e-books, audiobooks, and even movies!
In fact, you might find that there’s enough free digital content to ditch one of your paid TV subscriptions. This is a no-brainer way to save money. Using the Rule of 173, saving a measly $15 a month on a useless subscription services adds up to $2,595 over a 10 year period. That’s no chump change!
3. State & National Parks
Did you know that one of the key indicators of the physical health of any town can be predicted by proximity to parks? The healthiest cities tend to have the most people within walking distance of a park.
Not only do parks make us healthier- they make for a wonderful free date idea or activity. You can picnic, go jogging or hiking, or take your kids to play on the playground while you mingle.
National Parks are also a great idea for free or cheap vacations. The United States has some of the most diverse geography out there, and there are so many beautiful, natural wonders that we sometimes forget about!
While National Park passes are cheap ($80 for an annual pass), this article is about free stuff. Luckily for us, the National Park Service offers free days each year. Here are the remaining free national park service dates for 2023:
- April 12th- First day of National Park Week
- August 4th- The anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
- September 23rd- National Public Lands Day
- November 11th- Veterans Day
And don’t forget- 4th graders always get in for free, so make sure to take advantage of it when your little ones reach that age!
4. Local Nature Preserves
Local nature preserves are a great way to go outside and get active without spending any money. There are tons of trails you can discover, and playgrounds for kids. This is a place where you can really use your imagination to go on a one of a kind adventure. Just be sure to bring the bug spray!
5. Free Days At Museums
Free days at museums are my personal favorite free activity to take advantage of. They’re super fun, and you come away from them feeling just a little bit more cultured.
If you want to get even more enjoyment out of your time at a museum, I recommend doing some research on some of the more famous pieces, doing some research on the time period that these high-profile pieces are from. You’ll get more out of seeing each work if you know the context of the world it was created in.
Another great benefit of visiting your local art museum is getting to enjoy the museum grounds and architecture, which can be a sight within itself.
Ultra frugal travel idea- Washington D.C. has TONS of free museums, including the Smithsonian museums, the U.S. Botanic Garden, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and the National Gallery of Art. Check them out for an ultra frugal trip!
Here are some more ways to save on travel!
6. Street Art
No museums close by? Why not make your own?
So many of our cities are covered in local street art, which is beautiful and free to look at. Street Art Cities allows you to make your own museum experience by locating street art in your city, so you can map out a route to take in some enriching art.
Pro tip: For all you romantics out there, checking out street art makes for an amazing cheap date night walk.
7. Free Education
The internet has its pros and cons, but one of its most amazing features is all of the free knowledge available to you at the click of a button. There are tons of ways to improve your skills for absolutely free online.
Professionals from all types of industries share online to help educate people about their craft for free through podcasts, youtube videos, blogs, and even free online courses. There are even free courses online that can earn you real certifications or college credit.
The website Coursera offers some free courses through colleges like Yale, the University of Michigan, and Stanford University. Be sure to check out their list of free courses here. Udemy also offers some free courses. You can learn skills like programming, JavaScript, Guitar, or Astronomy. There are so many courses to choose from, which can provide hours of enjoyment or even help for you to advance more quickly in your career!
8. Free Educational Apps
Speaking of free education, you can learn a ton from free apps on your phone.
Duolingo can help you to learn a new language for absolutely free with entertaining lessons! Khan Academy is also a great app for kids to learn tons of topics like math and science. And CliffsNotes can help you to better understand whatever you’re reading. Take advantage of these free apps to supercharge you or your kids’ learning experience.
Another great app to take advantage of is Mint. It tracks your monthly income and spending, and lets you create a budget! Tracking expenses is one of the cornerstones of personal finance!
Okay Duo… I promoted your app… Can you let my family go now? 😬 ( ← Didn’t get this joke? it’s just a Gen Z Tiktok thing lol!)
9. Community Resources
When you’re trying to pursue your money goals while still enjoying the journey, it’s so important to look to your community for support. From free concert series in the park, movie nights and drive-ins, seasonal activities, and clothing exchanges, your community can prove to be an invaluable resource. Be sure to check your town’s website to see what’s coming up in your neck of the woods.
Another super fun community activity to take full advantage of this summer is festival season. Local street fairs are such a fun way to get outside, meet new people, and connect with your friends and family… though you might be tempted to spend a few dollars on a treat!
Maybe a fun DIY project is in order? If you don’t want it to cost a dime you’ll need to be resourceful. Be sure to look to your community to borrow any tools you only plan on using. Why buy something new when you can borrow it from a tool bank or from a neighbor? Or you can find a local tool lending library near you on a site like Local Tools.
10. Buy Nothing Facebook Groups
If you have a Facebook and haven’t joined your local “Buy Nothing Group”, you’re missing out big time on potentially awesome free stuff. Thousands of locals get rid of perfectly good things every day, and you can grab them if you are in need.
Household appliances, clothes, tools, car parts, etc. Anything goes in the buy nothing group (except illegal stuff 😉). Always check your local group for available items before dipping into your savings account to buy stuff!
11. Free Debt Management Services
If you’re drowning in debt you might feel alone, afraid, and helpless. What many people don’t know however is there are non-profit organizations out there offering free debt management resources.
The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) is a great start. The offer excellent counseling services if you’re having money troubles and other free educational resources too. Money Management International (MMI) is another one offering debt relief plans and heaps of support for those who need it!
The Bottom Line:
Saving money is only boring if you let it be! There are tons of ways to save money while having an abundance of fun, connecting with your community, and enjoying your life. In fact, deciding to be frugal could inspire you to get even more creative when coming up with ideas for activities.
We hope we’ve inspired you to start taking advantage of some of these awesome freebies! Be sure to check out the following pages for advice on ways to keep more of your hard-earned dollars in your pocket.
- 14 Tips For Mindful Spending
- How To Level Up and Gamify Your Finances
- Ways To Fight Back Against Inflation
Beer Tasting Notes:
During this episode we enjoyed a Sticky Hands IPA by Block 15 Brewing Company. A big thanks to Dale for donating this beer to the show! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money!
Best friends out!
