Entertainment spending tends to grow quietly. Free options are often just as good, and some are better.
The habits
Use your library card Easy
Books, e-books, audiobooks, films, magazines, and in many places museum passes, games and tools.
Rotate streaming services Easy
Keep one or two at a time. Cancel, watch something else for a month, and switch back later.
Host instead of going out Easy
Potlucks, game nights and film nights cost a fraction of a night out.
Find free days at museums and parks Easy
Many museums have free days or evenings, and many parks and trails are free all year.
Take up a cheap hobby Some effort
Walking, running, drawing, chess, cooking, gardening from seed: low cost, lots of hours.
Plan holidays off-peak Some effort
Traveling outside school holidays often costs much less for the same trip.
Example figures are simple arithmetic to show how amounts add up. Your numbers will differ.
Tips from travellers
Tried Fun and free time? Share what helped. The first good one goes right here.