Being bored and broke can easily lead to self-destruction thoughts and adopting bad habits which can easily deteriorate your mental health and physical wellbeing. The lack of money and being lost in life due to not knowing what to do or understanding your goals leads to stress and anxiety and very often, depression. Finding fun things to do when you’re bored and broke is an effective way to maintain good health and a positive mindset about yourself and your future.
If you are struggling with boredom and lack of money, here are 24 things fun things you can do to pass the time and strengthen your finances.
1. Start a blog
Being broke and bored means you could easily run out of things to do if you are not creative enough. If you find yourself with a lot of time bored and broke, look for creative ways to utilize your time to keep yourself busy and productive.
One of the best things to do when you have too much time at your disposal and want to fight boredom is to start a blog. Use your free time to write about a subject you’re passionate about and share it with the world. What makes blogging one of the best things to do when bored and broke is that it can be enjoyable if you are writing about something you are passionate about. For example, if you love cooking, blogging about different cooking styles and recipes will be a great niche to blog about.
2. Start a DIY project
Are you worried about finding something to do when bored and broke? Try a DIY project. DIY projects are great for passing time especially when you are broke. Some of the best DIY projects you can do include knitting, creating art, painting, fixing furniture, or pottery.
If you like construction, you can paint a room, build a fire pit, change tiles, redesign your shelves, perform a small home renovation, or build a small boat. Learning how to tix your electronics such as cars, motorcycles, and phones is another way to pass the time when you are bored and broke.
3. Learn a new skill online
Learning is a great way to pass time, boost your intelligence, and improve your finances. If you ever find yourself bored and broke, think about learning a new skill. The best way to learn a new skill is to find something that aligns with your passion.
Think about the things you are currently doing or those you have on your bucket list. For example, if you want to become a programmer, start learning programming languages. Another good example is if you want to travel, learn a language that is spoken in the country you want to travel to. Learning these skills keeps you occupied when bored and broke because most of these skills are interesting to acquire but also cost less money.
If you are worried about the cost of learning your skills, numerous websites offer free or affordable courses on various subjects. Here is a list of 7 websites to learn anything for free.
4. Write a short story or poem
Writting short poems is another great thing to do when bored and broke. This activity will be good for you if you like writing or when you like sharing your inner thoughts with friends and family. You can also publish your poems online on your blog or YouTube and earn some cash.
5. Organize a local meetup
Do you like hanging out with friends and family or professionals in your industry? If so, organizing a local meetup is a great thing to do when bored and broke. By creating local meetups, it allows you to create an environment where you and others can share experiences and knowledge which can serve as an opportunity to learn new skills or gain information without the need for formal education or training.
If you are broke and bored, you can use local meet-ups to connect with different people. Interaction with a diverse group can provide new perspectives, ideas, and opportunities for collaboration or employment. You can also use local meet-ups as a way to improve your social activities through book clubs, cooking groups, or hiking.
6. Plan a future trip
Another great way to spend time when you are bored and broke is to plan a future trip. Traveling usually costs a lot of money especially when the trip is not planned ahead of time. Buying your ticket and planning your trip ahead of time will save you money.
The best time to plan your trip is usually when you are bored and broke. When you are broke, you tend to be frugal and bargain a lot which gets you deals and saves you money. Start by researching destinations, plan your itinerary, and compare prices for a trip you want to take in the future.
7. Learn to cook a new recipe
Learning to cook can be a great way to deal with boredom and lack of money. Cooking provides a creative outlet that engages both the mind and the senses, helping to alleviate boredom. You can spend hours learning new recipes, mastering various cooking techniques, and experimenting with flavors, all of which can make your time more enjoyable and fulfilling.
On the financial side, knowing how to cook can help you save money. Eating out or ordering takeaway can quickly drain your wallet, especially if done frequently. Home-cooked meals, on the other hand, cost significantly less which makes them a more economical choice. Additionally, cooking can help reduce food waste, as you control the portion sizes and save leftovers for later use.
8. Start a fitness routine
When you’re bored and broke, a fitness routine will be a great way to pass the time without losing too much money. A fitness routine can help you structure your day, and improve your mood and your health. You can easily turn aimless hours into productive ones by just doing some workout. To achieve a great fitness routine, start by planning daily or weekly fitness targets and try to meet these targets every day.
I should also mention that a fitness routine does not need to involve expensive gym memberships or equipment. Simple exercises like jogging, push-ups, sit-ups, or yoga can be done at home without any cost. You can also use online platforms to follow free workout routines. This means even when you’re broke, you can still maintain your fitness routine, fight boredom, and save money at the same time.
9. Learn a new language
Learning a new language is a great way to pass the time when you are bored and broke. This strategy works well when you find it exciting to learn languages or if you are planning to travel.
For example, if you want to travel to South America, learning Spanish will be one of many things you can do to prepare for your trip. You also don’t have to pay money to learn the language as there are many learning websites and apps such as Duolingo and Babbel which are easily accessible for free.
10. Start a personal finance budget
Creating a personal finance budget can be an effective strategy to both alleviate boredom and enhance your financial health. When you’re bored, you’re more likely to engage in impulsive shopping or unnecessary spending, which can negatively impact your finances. When you have a well-structured budget, you’re less likely to overspend which saves you money.
Instead of engaging in a shopping spree when bored, take some time to create a personal finance budget. You can then use your budget to lower your expenses, save for your financial goals, and invest in your future.
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11. Volunteer
Volunteering helps when you are bored and broke by fulfilling a need for growth and exploration at a low cost. Spending time with others helps you build relationships and networks which is a great way to pass time without spending money.
Moreover, volunteering can improve your personal development. You can socialize, work in different settings, and engage with people from diverse backgrounds, which can boost your confidence, self-esteem, and communication skills. Spending time this way prevents you from being bored or having negative thoughts about being broke.
12. Meditate
If you are feeling bored, it means you lack engagement or interest in your present situation. If you’re feeling broke, it indicates financial stress. In these situations, being in harmony with your reality is a great way to improve your situation. Meditation can help you recognize and accept this reality without judgment.
Meditation can also help you manage your stress, anxiety, and negative feelings about being broke. By meditating, you improve your mood, fight boredom, get into a relaxed state, and lower your worries. The next time you feel bored and broke, take a few minutes to meditate and reset your mind. That is how you find peace with yourself.
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13. Learn to play a musical instrument
The next time you find yourself bored and broke, start learning a musical instrument. Learning an instrument helps you cope with anxiety and stress. Additionally, mastering a new instrument can improve your memory which helps in sharpening your skills and improving your ability to deal with complex situations.
Start by researching the instrument you enjoy listening to or the one you want to learn. What makes learning an instrument a great thing to do when bored and broke is that there are many resources all over the internet you can tap into for free. You can also learn. If you are a beginner, start with online tutorials from YouTube or your favorite website. As you improve your skills, move to advanced lessons.
14. Start a garden
Gardening is one of those hobbies that most people underestimate. What is true, however, is that you can change your entire life with just a garden. A garden allows you to grow your food which helps you regulate the quality of what you eat and eventually improve your health. Spending time in a garden also helps you manage your boredom and you have something interesting that occupies your mind. Additionally, growing your food helps you save money which is essential when living paycheck to paycheck.
If you are new to gardening, start with a small garden such as one or two raised beds or a simple kitchen garden. The key to a successful garden is to grow what you eat. Start with simple crops such as vegetables and herbs and improve the size of your garden and varieties over time.
15. Declutter your living space
A cluttered living space is usually reflected in your thoughts, personal satisfaction, and happiness in general. If you feel bored and broke, it is more likely that your living space is full of clutter. You keep buying too much junk which costs you a lot of money and overcrowds your home. To cope with boredom and avoid spending money you don’t have, take some time to declutter your home and organize your living space in ways that give you peace.
Related: 9 effective ways to declutter your home
16. Write a letter to your future self
This practice might sound a little off for many people. But, visualizing yourself in the future and living up to the standards that lead to that person is one of the greatest ways to bring positive changes in your life. A great way to remind yourself who you want to be is to write a letter to your future self.
The letter serves as a great reminder of the person you want to be and how far you have come. When bored and broke, reflect on your life, where you are, and where you want to go. Then write a letter to your future self. This will be your first step in changing your life and dealing with boredom as you will have something to live up to.
17. Read a book
If you ever find yourself bored and broke, start reading a book.
Reading books can help to improve your personal development, increase self-confidence, and improve your communication by expanding your vocabulary and language skills. These are advantageous traits that could eventually lead to better job prospects and financial stability.
Additionally, reading is a cost-effective way to entertain and educate yourself when you are bored and broke. Given the vast number of books available for free or at a small price, reading is an affordable hobby that can change your life. Don’t just sit at home and drive yourself mad because of boredom and lack of money when you can easily stop by your local library to improve your life.
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18. Learn photography
If you are looking for something fun to do when you are bored and broke, photography can solve both of these problems. It is fun to engage in photography as you interact with nature or satisfying events such as weddings and parties. Photography is also cheap which makes it affordable when you are broke and bored.
You can easily find a small camera for a few hundred dollars. If you have a smartphone, you will not even need to buy a camera. The phone can easily be used as a camera bringing your initial cost to zero.
19. Try a new hobby
Being bored and broke is usually an indication of not having things to do, low self-esteem, or simply a lack of direction in life. Unless you make some changes in your life, it will be impossible to cope with boredom, make money, and improve your life.
An effective thing to do when bored and broke is to start a new hobby. A hobby will keep you busy and away from negative thoughts. Your hobby could also become a source of income if you can manage to monetize your work such as art and craft.
You can easily start with things you love to do or things you want to learn such as pottery, creating art, web design, t-shirt printing, etc.
Related post: 39 profitable hobbies that make money
20. Start a recycling project
Outdoor activities are some of the best things to do when bored and broke. There are a lot of cycling activities and championships you can get involved with in your local city. If these activities are not there, start your cycling routine to take advantage of local trails. All you have to do is get started and keep yourself busy.
21. Do a puzzle
Engaging in puzzles can serve as a powerful tool to combat both boredom and financial constraints. Puzzles are cost-effective and most of the time you can find a wide range of puzzles and games for free online. If you can’t find free puzzles, buy a jigsaw puzzle or crossword book for a minimal price can easily give you weeks of entertainment.
Puzzles are great for relaxing your mind and strengthening your ability to solve complex problems. This can lead to strong mental capacity which can lead to better career and long-term financial standing.
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22. Start a TV series
Watching TV shows is a great thing to do when bored. While you can easily fight boredom with a good TV show, most shows won’t be beneficial to you in terms of improving your finances. if you are looking for ways to pass the time and improve your finances, watch finance, economics, or business series and movies.
A few genres such as biographies of entrepreneurs or self-help documentaries and movies can easily help you turn your finances around and make money.
23. Create a vision board
To bring positive changes in your life when facing boredom and financial hardships, you must change your habits. You need to get rid of old habits and develop new ones that align with your financial goals and vision of your life.
One way to achieve these changes is to create a vision board and keep it where you see it daily. The next time you find yourself bored and broke, start thinking about your future and create a vision board. The board will include the person you want to be, your future goals, and any underlying factors that will help you achieve these goals such as financial means, education requirements, certifications, health factors, etc.
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24. Visit a museum or a local zoo
This is my favorite thing to do when I am bored. Visiting a zoo and museum around the city comes with internal satisfaction as you see different animals and learn about their origins. Even if you are not an animal lover, you can find a tourist destination in your area and visit it.
Anything that gets you up and running and away from your miserable thoughts can be done. For example, if you like fishing, camping, visiting schools, libraries, bridges, and similar activities, go and do them. Whatever activity you can do to keep yourself busy and prevent you from self-destructing thoughts, do it. Get out there and explore your surroundings.
