Alright, frugal people! I got an email from a reader that I will do my best to answer, and then I’d love your input as well because I think you all will have a lot to add.
The email:
Hello!
A blog reader for many years wondering your thoughts on a frugal topic: What types of things (other than going for a walk/hike or having dinner at home together) do you do with your girlfriends that’s frugal?
I’m an extrovert – so quite social but everything everyone wants to do involves spending. Most friends love to shop (I don’t, unless it’s browsing a book store) or they want to go get a mani/pedi (not my money priority) or the movies …
The thing is, I make decent money so I really don’t have a reason (friends would think) to say no – but so many of their choices involve spending on things I don’t value spending money on.
Other than visiting at home and going for walks – what do you do with friends?
I do go out for dinners……
Thoughts? 
I am perhaps not the best person to answer this question because when I hang out with people, I really do not care what we do, as long as it’s not something where I am in abject misery.
Basically, as long as it’s not something I hate doing, I’m happy just to be around the people that I love.
This is good in a sense because I’m pretty flexible about what we do. But it also means I am not a veritable font of Super Fun and Exciting Things To Do With Friends.
In fact, when Mr. FG and I were dating, we’d often spend time running errands together, like grocery shopping or going to the bank, and my older brother sarcastically dubbed us, “The Fun Couple”. Ha.
So, I’m just saying, take my list with a grain of salt, and then check the comments for ideas from other people who are more Fun and Exciting.
1. Try some new activities at home together
Maybe at-home hangouts would be more interesting if you tried some things other than just having dinner.
For example, we’ve had lots of fun carving pumpkins with friends or decorating Christmas cookies together.
Or what about an easy sewing project? Sonia and Zoe had fun making holiday pajama pants with their cousin.
2. Make dinner at home a little different
Could you do a themed night? (the theme could be food or dress)
Could you pick a vintage menu and recreate it? Sonia has a 1950s menu she wants to make and invite friends over for, but it also might be hilarious to pick 1960s or 1970s recipes to make. And if they are all disgusting, you could order pizza after sampling them.
Could you do a tea party? Or a potluck brunch meal where everyone wears their pajamas?
3. Volunteer together
Not every friend group will be up for this, but I’ve found that volunteering with other people is a great way to find friends and strengthen relationships. Plus, you’re making the world a better place while also hanging out with people that you love…a win-win!
You could volunteer at a food pantry, take a shift together at a dog/cat adoption center, help out at a community event, or bake together for a fundraiser.
I don’t know where you live, of course, but I bet there are volunteer opportunities if you look.
4. Look for a discount on a class or an adventure
If you are in America, you could check deal voucher sites, such as Groupon, for a discounted voucher for fun things to do.
Mr. FG and I got one for a glass-blowing class, and I know I’ve seen a zillion other entertainment vouchers on there as well.
You might look into a pottery-painting class, a soap/candle-making class, or maybe a cooking class.
5. Look for free activities in your area
Is there a book club you could join? A concert-in-the-park series? Free parks where you could picnic? Free museums to visit?
6. Consider a membership to a favorite spot
If there is a park, pool, aquarium, museum, concert hall, zoo, or something else that you all would love to go regularly, you could agree to buy a membership. As long as you know you’d be there all the time, it could be worth the money.
And this last one is not a tip, exactly:
Think about what you do value spending money on, and communicate that to your friends
You know that movies and mani-pedis aren’t your thing, but I bet you know what you do like spending money on. Is there a way that you could incorporate that into your social time? And could you communicate that to your friends and initiate some hang-outs that reflect your money priorities?
Mara
Friday 29th of October 2021
I don’t enjoy shopping, but I can go and browse. I can go to a bar or restaurant and have one drink or an appetizer and enjoy the company but not spend much money. There are, at certain times of the year, free concerts and free movies so that’s another way to do those activities your friends may enjoy and not spend. Here’s the thing about being frugal though, sometimes you have to decide what your top priority is. If spending time with friends is a top priority it might mean spending money you otherwise wouldn’t spend. As long as it doesn’t put you in a financial burden I don’t see the issue of doing it occasionally. And there are always rewards points or similar programs that can be redeemed for gift cards. If your friends want to go to the movies but you don’t want to spend actual money, you can earn gift cards to use for example.
Geneva
Friday 29th of October 2021
It seems almost impossible to get together with friends since we all have kids that aren't quite teens yet and sitters aren't always available. When we can/do get together we don't care what we are doing as long as it's together!
Instead of strolling around our neighborhoods we have purposefully driven to a new spot (state, city park) and explored the area a little bit. Packing a lunch to go along makes it more fun and the car ride is extra time together. Sometimes the kids come, sometimes they don't. I found a book at the library that has walking tours of the area I live in (Minneapolis) so we've used that to do local urban exploring.
We've done movie and crafting night where we will watch a new movie or an old favorite from college while knitting away. Everyone brings a snack to share.
Another fun idea is meal prepping together. I found recipes online where you can prep meals to stash in your freezer. Someone with a Costco membership will do the shopping for everyone (which is reimbursed) and then we all meal prep together. Great bonding and it saves time down the road!
Michelle H
Friday 29th of October 2021
When I was trying to get out of debt I had to start turning down invites from friends for expensive nights out, so I started looking for free and cheap things to do, and inviting them to join me. $10 carload night at the drive-in movie, cheap happy hours, bands at small venues with no cover, bogo restaurant deals, etc. At one point I even found a country bar that was so desperate to get women in the door on ladies night that they would hand you $5 at the door just for showing up - with the cheap drink specials that $5 covered 2 drinks and a tip!
That was 25 years ago, and I'm out of debt, but I still approach my entertaining from a position of frugality. Poker night at home, concerts in the park, team trivia night at a local bar and grill that has half price appetizers and drinks on Thursdays, and we're good enough we usually win a $30 voucher we can use the next time.
I have discovered that most people are happy to be invited to something, and not be the one always trying to plan an outing.
Stephanie
Thursday 28th of October 2021
My bestie of 27 years are both frugal. We would do sonic car dates ( for fountain drinks) during half price happy hour. Go grocery shopping T the same time. Go to rummage sales together. Scour locals for free events. We also would have frugal themed dinners. We tent camped in county camp sites. Went to beach days at little known free lakes. We raised kids at the same time and had lots of fun. Frugally rocks!
Heidi Louise
Thursday 28th of October 2021
Recently, my sisters and I met two women on different occasions who spoke about how our Mom had helped them meet people when they moved to town. She took/invited/dragged them to League of Women Voters meetings. This was the 1960-70s. We knew Mom was involved and even a local officer, but didn't know how she used that group for socializing as well as activism. So as well as the volunteering that has been mentioned, perhaps becoming involved in a cause important to you will provide some new contacts.