17th Aug 2007
on being broke in august
Well, the decision not to teach this month has come with a bit of a downside. I have no money. Yet, in this day and age and with all the things I have at home, let alone in this geographic area, it’s my own damn fault if I can’t come up with things to do. Cable, computer, PlayStation, books and more books, walking and hiking with Willa … the list goes on.
What are the things you choose to do when the money runs out?
If you’re still able to pay your rent and buy some decent food, then lack of disposable income is a great chance to slow down, reflect, and live in the moment without distractions. I have my bike (yeah, it’s an expensive one, so that took some money at one point), walks (sneakers aren’t cheap), and lots and lots of books and time to write (and there’s never enough time for that). There’s a lot to be said for sitting on a porch, stoop, deck or whatever and just watching the world and clouds go by too.
It’s times like these [end of August, low on cash], that I miss living “down the shore.” The best thing to do was simply drive over to the boardwalk, sit on a bench, and people-watch. The beach isn’t too shabby of an idea either…though I don’t understand how they can charge 5 bucks for you to sit on what is essentially dirt.
FREE, no-cash-needed activities in “north Jersey”—
I like going to malls and just walking around. If you’re unlike me and actually don’t mind trying clothes on, you can always have fun and try on goofy outfits and “fancy” dresses…
Just meeting up with friends at their houses…or yours…can be fun. It can be pot luck and everyone can bring something. There’s a lot to be said for an afternoon of good conversation with friends.
I also get tons of DVDs from the public library…
I also like to sit outside in a lawn chair and read…getting a tan at the same time too.
Those are great ideas, Michelle! I have been patronizing the library much more often, which is never a bad thing — I don’t need to buy any more books and they have an excellent DVD collection. Plus Netflix is not expensive either.
And I’ve been riding my bike — sometimes it’s the only way to get a breeze!