Freelance Fun On Fridays: 10 Things You Can Do for Free

You’ve worked hard all week to meet deadlines, market yourself to new potential clients, maintain your books, and get a jumpstart on next week’s tasks. As tempting as it is to keep working in hopes of staving off an economic downturn in your own life, it’s important to schedule a little fun time.

That’s one reason why we are featuring this weekly column. Maintaining your sense of humor and sanity are important too!

These days, the notion of having fun during your off time probably doesn’t include spending money. Even going to lunch with friends can turn into a $10 event, and those can add up! The more I think about it, the more I like the title of the old song, “The Best Things in Life Are Free.”

In honor of that concept, here are some really great things that you can do for free:

• Read a book. Trying to avoid the bookstore? Your local library has many of the same popular titles available, free for the borrowing. They also will have many titles you won’t find on retail shelves. While you are at the library, also check out the selection of CDs, DVDs, and audio books.

• Start a book club. This has been a popular trend for a while, but it really is a good way to do something as a group without spending money. And Oprah, the reigning queen of book clubs, has some great tips on starting one. One thing I’ve always heard (and said) about book clubs is that folks can’t find enough time to keep up with the reading list. Here’s a great idea for a book club centered around reading material that may be a little on the lighter side (in other words, less time consuming). Ask your friends to select books they loved as children, and then get together to discuss them. Bonus: a trip down memory lane for all. How about reminiscing with your favorite book by Judy Blume, or perhaps a Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew mystery? Remember Misty of Chincoteague? Did you cry too when you read Old Yeller? Will you again? My all-time favorite was The Easter Cat, by Meindert Dejong. When your group meets you’ll enjoy talking about what it’s like to reread the book as an adult, or how your kids relate to it. Hmm, sounds like potential good blog fodder.

• Attend a city council, county commission, or other similar meeting. Fun? Okay, maybe not all of it will be fun. But you’d be surprised how interesting your local goings-on can be. And you’re likely to make new acquaintances, which just might lead to new networking possibilities for building your business. Plus, remember that you are a local business owner. Staying abreast of what’s going on in your community might net you an opportunity you never would have thought of—and you just might open the door to a wealth of ideas on how to diversify your business model.

• Take a class. It might surprise you how many courses are available at no charge. If you’re craving camaraderie, you may try a nearby community college or your local cooperative extension service. Also look to home improvement stores such as Lowe’s and Home Depot—you just might be empowered to tackle that next project yourself and save a little money in the process. You can find a number of free online courses as well. Check out the offerings at Free-Ed.net or GCFLearnFree.org, or consider taking a  business class offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration. If you already own the software and haven’t taken the time to learn how to use it, some manufacturers’ Web sites offer free tutorials. You might try your hand at picking up a new skill, such as building a Web site.

• Play with your camera. I consider my digital camera one of my favorite toys, as well as an endless source of instant gratification. Today’s models—even inexpensive ones—are capable of producing images that you’ll be proud to show to your family and friends. And photo-sharing sites such as Flickr, Shutterfly, and Snapfish are free and fun to use. And don’t think you have to go to Paris or the Grand Canyon to get great photos. You’ll find a wealth of inspiration right in your own backyard. Try your hand at nature photography in your garden, shoot portraits in your home and around your neighborhood, or view your hometown as if through a tourist’s eyes. The great thing about digital is that you can point and click to your heart’s content. You’re sure to wind up with a few that you love!

• Take a hike. Or a walk, a run, or a jog. This is by far one of my personal favorites. Powered by nothing more than your own two feet—whether you start on your doorstep or travel to a local park—you’ll enjoy the outdoors and getting a little exercise. While you’re at it, you might just come up with a brilliant idea for a new start-up venture.

• Start a reunion. You’re reading this, so more than likely you’ve done some social networking. Tools such as Facebook and MySpace make it easy. Dig deeper, and reconnect with people you have lost touch with—from old classmates to former coworkers. Recently, someone in my family started a page on Facebook to help locate family members—the experiment is growing, and it’s exciting. Research your family tree on Genealogy.com; you also may be able to find helpful information in libraries, museums or state archives.

• Join or start a neighborhood cleanup. You’ll enjoy a bonding experience with your neighbors, do a good thing for your community, and beautify your surroundings in the process. Local businesses will appreciate it—your own included.

• Play games or do puzzles. When was the last time you sat down to a marathon game of Monopoly? Or worked your brain into a frenzy over a crossword puzzle? Board games, card games, puzzles, and the like can provide hours of entertainment, alone or in the company of friends and family.

• Volunteer. It may seem counterintuitive to work for free when what you really need is a paycheck. But not every paycheck ends with a dollar sign and zeros. You definitely will feel a sense of accomplishment, and by contributing a little of your free time to a worthy cause you will help benefit the community in which you are doing business—always smart for a small-business owner. And who knows? Once again, you may find yourself with an expanded network of business contacts, a new interest, or a different way to grow your business.

These are just a few possibilities—I’m sure I’ve only scratched the surface of things you can do for free.

What you are doing to entertain yourself these days? I’d love to hear about it. I’ll probably need more ideas in the days/months to come. Whatever it is, enjoy your downtime and invite a couple of friends along—you’ll multiply the fun!

-Shelley

Photo credit: TheTruthAbout (Flickr)