Thoughts on how to maintain a budget-friendly social life during these challenging times
The price of everything seems to be going up, up, and away these days: fuel price, food and transportation costs, electricity, forex rate, just everything.
Everyone has been hit by this reality irrespective of how wealthy they are and a lot of people are complaining about the seeming unpredictability of things.
A lot of people have been making the much-needed adjustments to adapt their lives to these changes. For some people, the annual summer holiday abroad has by force become a staycation in Nigeria, either in their houses or somewhere they can relax within the country. I can’t blame them, have you seen those ticket prices? Even a return trip to Ghana that once upon a time used to cost about the same price as a return trip to Abuja has more than quadrupled! And have you seen those international price tickets? Let’s not even discuss that.
Some people have had to shelve three square meals for two square meals. Others have become semi-vegans by force as the price of meat, chicken, fish, and even eggs have gone out of their reach. Remember those quick trips you’d make across town just to go and say hello to a friend or family member? Yeah, many people have either reduced or eliminated those as well.
The reality is that the majority of us have had to take a critical look at our lifestyles and make the relevant adjustments. We’re not just cutting our cloth according to our size, we are cutting our cloth according to the amount of material we have. We have all become accountants and financial experts as it is very common now for the average person to whip up their calculators or do some mental maths when considering any financial expenditure.
But life must go on. We cannot allow our lives to stop or be limited simply because things are getting tougher. Many people are wondering how they can maintain some semblance of social life because it seems as though anything involving “the outside” must be supported by a fat wallet. This doesn’t have to be the case though. I believe this is the time for us to get creative and engage in activities that require little or no financial expenses. You would be surprised how creative we can get when we are on a budget.
If you are like me and wondering how to find an outlet for your social juices, I have come up with some suggestions that I hope you will find useful.
Rediscover the joy of simple gatherings: I love the concept of a game night (or day) because people usually come prepared to unwind. A mix of games is guaranteed to create fun for anybody, whether kids or adults. Friends or family living in the same neighbourhood can take turns to host. For refreshments, you can do “bring-a-dish” or buy snacks and drinks. You can either do board games, card games, or even trivia that you can compile from the internet. Another beautiful thing about a game night is that you could even go virtual! Yes, get your friends to log in on any of the virtual meeting platforms and you’re good to go!
Plan extraordinary movie nights: if you have a large-screen TV or a projector, you’re already set for this. Invite your people, get some popcorn and drinks, pick a selection of movies from your favourite streaming platform, and enjoy a cosy night in. Who says you have to watch just one movie when you can see three?
Embrace the outdoors: if you live in an area where there’s a park or you have a neighbour with a large compound, you can organise a picnic. This should be especially fun for young children. Pack some homemade snacks, sandwiches, and drinks, lay out blankets on the ground, and just enjoy the hopefully serene environment. If you live near a beach, you can spend a day there soaking up the sun and digging your heels into the warm sand. Relaxing by the water can be incredibly enjoyable.
Explore your neighbourhood: it’s amazing what activities may be happening around you that you never knew about. Grab a partner or two and take a stroll along an unfamiliar route around your area. Get to see what life is like for other people. You may just discover a hidden suya spot or a bubbling pepper soup joint. Who knows, you may also spot a problem that you can solve and before you know it, you’ve hatched a business idea.
Check out the local scene: many communities organise festivals and events that may not be recognised at a state or national level but still provide entertainment for the local community. You can learn a lot about culture and people by attending such events.
Capture memories creatively: these days, with the average smartphone, there is almost no limit to the memories that we can create, curate, and record. Walking through your neighbourhood, you can take scenic pictures, live videos of unusual things, or even create unique content based on your interests and passions. You can share the world through your lens online and have other people relive the experiences that you have documented.
Awaken the hobbyist within: now that you have to be more conscious about how you allocate your resources, you may be able to start a hobby. Take some time to reflect on your skills, passion, and environment, what new thing can you do? Or maybe you have a hobby from way back that you neglected, now is the time to rediscover it. You could learn how to cook and bake exotic things from online recipes and you could do this with a friend or family member too. You could also learn craftwork by utilising reusable items within your environment. Can you imagine what you can make out of empty plastic bottles, torn clothing, or even paper items?
Window-shop for the soul: just going into shopping malls and looking around without the intention to purchase anything? Yes, you can do that. You may not be able to afford what you want but going out and feasting your eyes can fill your hunger just a little bit. You can go with a friend and gist as you browse through shops. You may even discover new shopping options that fit your budget.
Start a fitness group: grab as many people as possible that you associate with in your area and start a fitness regime. There are so many exercise routines available online so you may not even need a professional to guide you. You can start from walking and jogging to doing more dedicated fitness routines. You will not only be helping people become more conscious of living a fit life, but you would also be building a community of like-minded people.
Consider volunteering: I am sure you will be able to discover an opportunity to volunteer within your neighbourhood and if you can’t, you can always initiate one. There are so many problems in our society that need to be addressed and who knows, you may just be perfectly suited for that. You can get people together to address a cause that is important to you and periodically get everyone to work on that cause. Giving back to the community can be both fulfilling and enjoyable.
Remember, fun doesn’t have to be expensive. With a little creativity and resourcefulness, you can enjoy a wide range of activities without breaking the bank. Irrespective of how much belt-tightening we have to do, we should also spend time relaxing and being grateful for what we have. Don’t sit down at home wishing you were in Paris when you can savour your time in Palm Grove with your friends and family enjoying a fun activity. You have the power to make your life interesting. This is the way I see things today.