Fun in retirement doesn’t have to come at a high cost. You just need to know where to look, read, and listen for ideas. Getting out and about can be an important part of any retirement plan. After all, the outside world is full of activities that will keep you active and engaged as much as possible throughout your later years. Fortunately, there are lots of ways to have fun in retirement that don’t require breaking the bank either.
Let’s take a look at some affordable ways you can enjoy your free time during retirement:
1) Go to the Movies
The best movies usually come out at the beginning of the year, at the end of the year, and/or during a major holiday such as Thanksgiving or Christmas. These are great times to go to the movies since the crowds are lower than the rest of the year, but still large enough to be worth the trip.
If you’re fortunate enough to live close to a major city, you may even be able to take advantage of cheaper tickets on a weeknight. If you’re interested in documentaries, there is often a time of year when a lot of documentaries are released. For instance, in the first few weeks of January, you can usually find a lot of documentaries to choose from.
Similarly, some people like to go to the movies during the summer when there are fewer people around and the ticket prices are lower. However, you need to be careful because it can get very hot and humid during the summer months.
2) Visit a Play
There is something truly special about seeing a play. It allows you to experience a story and narrative in a way you simply can’t do with a movie. You get a sense of the characters as if you were watching a movie, but with other people in the theatre.
Plus, there is also the added benefit of building relationships with the audience members since you are all there to experience the play together. There is nothing quite like a live play that you can’t experience with a digital recording. There are tons of plays that are performed all over the country during the year, but there are a few that are performed more frequently than others.
For instance, there are several Shakespeare plays that are performed all the time, and the same goes for classic Greek plays such as “Oedipus Rex.” These plays are performed so often that they are often offered at reduced prices or are free altogether. You can also look into various Shakespeare festivals that may have free or reduced-price tickets available.
3) Take a Picnic or Barbecue
There is nothing quite like taking a break from your busy day to relax with a good meal and some friends. Particularly if you are new to cooking or eating healthy, it’s always a good idea to take a break from cooking and spend the day relaxing with friends instead.
There are plenty of ways to take a break from cooking while still enjoying a good meal. The most common ways are by bringing a dish from a restaurant, bringing a dish from a party, or using a store-bought meal. Alternatively, you can also just make a small salad or a sandwich.
This can also be a great way to get your family and friends together to connect as a family unit. If you’re lucky enough to be near a park or forest, you can also make a quick barbecue pit stop. A barbecue is a great way to enjoy a good meal with family and friends with little effort.
4) Dance Class
A dance class is a great way to stay fit and healthy while having some fun. There are numerous dance classes that you can take that are designed for all ages, levels, and levels of experience. You can even look into various dance studios in your area that offer classes at a discount rate due to being unoccupied.
You can also make a fitness class on the go by taking a yoga or Zumba class with a friend. You can also look into various fitness classes in your area that are either free or offered at a discounted rate due to being unoccupied. If you have a bike or scooter, you can even take a cycling class and connect through social media with your friend so you can both stay motivated and make sure to catch up on your sleep.
5) Theatre Visit
A theatre visit is a great way to connect with others, build relationships, and experience something new. It’s also an incredibly affordable way to get out and about since you don’t need to pay for transportation or tickets.
You can also look into various theatres in your area that offer discounted rates to the public due to being unoccupied. There are several ways you can use a visit to the theatre to make the most of your time. For example, you can invite a friend and make it a date night.
You can also invite a group of friends and build relationships by having them meet at the theatre and then going out to a nearby restaurant or bar after the show.
6) Volleyball Game or Qualification Match
If you’re a sports fan, whether you like to watch, play, or coach sports, there are several different ways you can use free or discounted sports tickets to meet and build new connections with others. First, you can use free or discounted sports tickets to meet your friends who have extra tickets and have a backyard party with a grill and outdoor games.
You can also use sports tickets as a form of social currency when you want to meet friends for a special occasion. For example, you can use social currency to go to a concert or a sporting event with your friends.
7) Volunteer Your Time and Talents
If you love helping people or enjoy doing community service, a volunteer opportunity can be a great way to meet new people and experience something new while also helping others.
You can also use volunteer opportunities as social currency when you want to meet up with your friends for an experience that costs money. For example, you can use volunteer tickets to go on a trip or to participate in activities that cost money such as a museum or music concert.