25 Fun Things to Do at Home When You’re Bored, Broke and Alone

Going out costs money. The food, drinks, gas, it eats a significant amount of your week’s budget. But there are fun things to do at home to save some cash.

As much fun as it is to go out, there will be days where an empty wallet forces us into a self-imposed house arrest. But it doesn’t have to be boring because we created a list of these fun things to do at home when you don’t have a penny left to spend.

How to find fun things to do at home

Of course, the idea of being home alone with the inevitable task of fighting boredom can be challenging. However, your home can be an untapped resource of activities if you just look around. Who knows, you might discover an activity that is not only fun, but also saves money.

#1 Pick up a book and read. There’s a joke somewhere that says you’ll only get to reading a book you love, or if you’re in prison. Since being stuck at home broke is the next best thing to prison, why not pick up a book? [Read: 12 must-read books to read in your 20s]

#2 Clean up the house. Is that one thing you neglect because you’re too busy with work or other activities? Being stuck at home, why not take the time to tidy up a bit. It may not be one of the most fun things to do at home, but hey, it’ll make you feel so much better and accomplished.

#3 Do some DIY repairs. With extra time on your hands, you can now work on those squeaky hinges, rusty pipes, and any woodwork languishing for your attention.

#4 Play some board games. Don’t you miss the good old days when people still played board games and really interacted with other human beings?

#5 Check out some podcasts. If you’re a podcast virgin, then you might be in for a new addiction. Podcasts are like radio shows over the internet and saved into a portable media device.

And just like radio shows, there are numerous genres out there to choose from. There’s the typical comedy, talk show, political, and drama content along with specialty podcasts that feature true crime, horror, and science-themed content. [Read: How to motivate yourself to do pretty much anything]

#6 Explore the house. As silly as this may sound, exploring the house can still be one of those unexpectedly fun things to do at home. Some people do this to do some sort of “maintenance check” to look for things that need repair. Some do domestic archaeology and check out some of the old interesting stuff that may have been lying around forgotten.

#7 Start writing a blog. Alone with nothing but your thoughts? What a good time to write it down! Blogging is not only therapeutic, but it is also a good practice for your word-stringing skills.

#8 Exercise. If you’re the energetic type and can’t sit all day, do some push-ups, sit-ups, or just take yourself out for a jog or walk.

#9 Browse some old photo albums. Take a trip down memory lane and check out those old yellowing albums from the family archives. [Read: How to let go of your past and be excited by your future]

#10 Play with your pets or take them out for a walk. Your dog appreciates an unscheduled walk around the neighborhood, and maybe your cat is up for some laser pointer chasing. Or just pet them.

#11 Try cooking a new dish. Raid the fridge and the cupboards and try to come up with a dish with those ingredients just like Jamie Oliver. [Read: 10 ideas to make cooking with your partner fun]

#12 Organize your closet. With extra time on your hands, clean out those old unused clothes as well as the ill-fitting ones for donation. Or use them for a DIY clothing project.

#13 Bring out the sewing machine and style your clothes. Alter old shirts into something you’d want to wear every day or trim those pants into shorts.

#14 Go out for a photo walk. If you happen to have a camera at home, go out and try out photography. Explore the neighborhood and document life as you see it.

#15 Visit the local library. Not enough books at home? Then the library is the place to go. You get free air conditioning and Wi-Fi, and you may even meet a new friend. [Read: How to make new friends as an adult – 15 ways to do it right]

#16 Go urban exploring. If your neighborhood has a local historical landmark, an industrial ruin, or some rumored creepy place such as an abandoned house, try your guts by exploring these areas. Just take care not to get caught trespassing.

#17 Babysit the neighborhood kids. If you’re the type who is good around kids, try doing this. You might even get paid for your help.

#18 Help a neighbor out with errands. Just like the ideal suburban neighbor, help the next door neighbor with their chores if you’re bored and done doing your own chores. [Read: 10 simple ways to be a more socially conscious person]

#19 Learn to play an instrument. If you have an instrument lying around the house and an internet connection, there’s a wealth of instructional videos that help you learn any kind of instrument out there.

#20 Start an herb and vegetable garden. If you have a small plot in your backyard, try growing some herbs and vegetables for your culinary needs. [Read: The lazy twentysomething’s guide to saving money]

#21 Play old video games. You might have an old console from your childhood days gathering dust in the attic or garage. Relive the good old days by beating those classic games you used to love.

#22 Take up some arts and crafts. Knit, do origami, write calligraphy, and a whole bunch of crafts depending on your preference.

#23 Organize your plans. Sit down, take out your planner, and jot down all the activities you plan to do in the future. This is also a good time to write your “to do” and “to buy” checklists for future reference.

#24 Binge on Netflix TV shows. Netflix and chill is the default activity if you’re stuck at home anyway. [Read: Netflix and chill: How to do it the right way]

#25 Sleep. When you can’t think of anything or just so lazy you just want time to pass, take a nap.

[Read: OMG I’m so bored with life – 20 ways to bring the spark back]

People who go out often don’t realize how doing home-based activities can be surprisingly fun and practical at the same time. Just try any of these fun things to do at home, and you’ll realize that boredom is never real, and nothing more than a state of mind.

The post 25 Fun Things to Do at Home When You’re Bored, Broke and Alone is the original content of LovePanky - Your Guide to Better Love and Relationships.