Cheap Things to Do in 2013
7 Jan
I’ve been thinking about things I want to do this year. Places I want to visit, things I want to see and people I want to catch up with. But I have to keep in mind that I am saving towards a house deposit so here are my Cheap Things to Do in 2013, mine are mainly London based since I live there but most are adaptable to wherever you are.
See more films – I have purchased a Picturehouse membership and now get money off every trip to the cinema, plus three free tickets, 10% off their bar and various restaurants in the area. Great for doing something with friends that doesn’t mean drinking all evening, for dates and for going on your own. Go on, be brave! Cineworld do a good membership deal too.
Visit the Chelsea Flower Show – I love plants and gardening and I’ve been meaning to go to Chelsea for years. Luckily today my mum booked me a ticket as a very early birthday present so we’re going on a family outing with my aunt in May.
Watch the Six Nations – Last year I was lucky enough to get a ticket to England v New Zealand at Twickenham which I went to with Katie’s husband (she’s not a fan!). It was expensive but worth it to see England beat them for the first time in nearly ten years. This this year I will be contenting myself with watching the Six Nations in the pub. Now I just have to convince some friends to join me.
Go for walks – My friend Suzy has set up a Sunday walking club. If that gives you visions of hiking boots and cagoules think again. This is walks on one of the London commons, or along the Thames followed by Sunday lunch in a nice pub. Fresh air, good friends and a reason to drag yourself out of bed on a Sunday.
Free shopping – OK, bit misleading but what I mean is window shopping as an excuse to meet up with friends and watch them spend money. I’m rubbish at focusing and buying unless I’m on my own anyway so this way I get to hang out with friends, avoid the two bottles of wine ‘catch-up’ trap and also see what’s out there that I might be able to make or adapt from something I already have.
Read – The problem is working with what you love is that what you love starts to feel like work. Since I read a lot for work I find my escape is watching television or making something. This year I’m going to remember I love reading and set myself the challenge to read 100 books this year by setting a target on Good Reads. I’ve already read two so that’s a good start!
That’s a few ideas to keep me going but there’s room for more. What are your ideas for cheap things to do in 2013?
Visit the William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow. It’s newly – and beautifully – refurbished. And free: http://www.wmgallery.org.uk. It overlooks Lloyd Park too, which is perfect for a picnic (come summer).
I second the William Morris gallery – it’s brilliant. As is the Geffrye Museum x
London is the best place for cheap things (while simultaneously being the worst). There are some reasonably priced exhibitions (or free if you just wander around permanent exhibitions). The National Portrait Gallery currently has the Taylor Wessing Portrait Prize which is a few pounds and a Marilyn exhibition which is free. They also have music on a Friday evening which is free. The Southbank Centre/Royal Festival Hall often puts on free music performances and then spending a few pounds on a glass of wine isn’t too bad. I’ve never spent more than £20 at a carboot (and that was a bonus of a day). And when summer comes around and there are some hot days nothing better than a picnic in the park!
Thanks guys, putting the William Morris Gallery on my list and visiting the National Portrait tomorrow. x