Living on a budget can be rough, especially during that period of initial adjustment. For AmeriCorps members, it's always good to have a few ideas to make the stipend work. Here are a few ideas for cheap entertainment. And since I'm also relatively new to Minnesota myself, I'm always looking for new things, so share your tips or favorite cheap activities.
1. Make sure to use the library. Aside from books, it's a good place to get DVDs for free - save the money on Netflix or a trip to Hollywood Video.
2. Take advantage of museums with free admission. In the Twin Cities, the Minnesota Art Institute is always free and so is the Como Zoo. Also, The Walker has free days on Thursday nights and the first Saturday of the month. There are other great museums all over the state, like the Lake Superior Zoo or the Tweed Museum of Art in Duluth.
3. Use CraigsList and Twin Cities Free Market (if you're near the Twin Cities) for deals on things you need to buy. I furnished most of my apartment and got cross-country skis on a tiny budget this way.
4. Take part in any festivals, fairs or carnivals going on, like one of the various winter festivals later this month.
5. Avoid iTunes and don't pay for cable. Well, don't NOT pay for cable either, but the internet is a great thing. There are a few places you can find free legal music downloads - surprisingly, there are a lot on Amazon - and if you're not already using them, internet radio stations like Pandora and Lastfm are a must. Use Hulu for must-watch TV shows.
Some of these are pretty obvious, I know, but it's a work in progress. Let me know your tricks for living on the stipend or your favorite places to go in your area. I want to know, and I'm sure your fellow members do too.
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