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| | The Stella-Holman.com Network is not currently active and cannot accept new posts | | Five Ways To Profit From You Leisure Time | Views: 247 | | Jul 07, 2007 7:59 am | | Five Ways To Profit From You Leisure Time | # | 
Stella Holman | | As Britain tightens its belt as recent interest rate rises start to bite, the amount of money we collectively spend on leisure is coming under the spotlight. Meals out, the cinema, trips to the pub, days out -- and as this recent post on our Living Below Your Means board highlights, expensive pitfalls can trap even those who are trying to save money, especially with the kids in tow.
And that's before considering shopping as a leisure activity in its own right, as many people do -- eek! How many of those hitting the stores on a Saturday or Sunday do it not because they need to -- but because they're bored?
Here are five tips designed not only to save you money while enjoying your leisure time, but also to put that time to profitable use.
1. Learn a skill
Adult education is a good way of spending time economically, as well as picking up useful (and potentially profitable) skills. You'd probably be surprised at the range of courses available: computer skills, DIY, plumbing, car maintenance, carpentry, creative writing -- even yacht navigation and basic seamanship, which enabled my wife and I to enjoy some inexpensive sailing holidays in Greece and Turkey a few years back.
Libraries usually keep details on the courses available locally, and in addition to the one night a week spent doing the course, homework and assigned projects offer a good excuse for resisting pushy friends keen to entice you out for the evening. ('Sorry! I've got to finish my assignment....')
2. Visit the library!
Talking of the library, don't overlook the role that it can play in your leisure time. Why buy a book and read it once if you can borrow it instead? Many libraries also offer DVDs these days too: there's usually a small fee, but it's cheaper than the local rental store, and again, much cheaper than buying. Public museums and art galleries are free, too -- and most put on occasional lectures and talks on topics of interest. It's easier on the wallet than going down the pub or out for a meal -- and easier on the bathroom scales, too.
And speaking of bathroom scales, many of us enjoy some form of exercise -- but it isn't necessary to spend a fortune at the gym, or golf/ squash/ tennis club to do it: public leisure centres are much cheaper. Better still, most of us live near a park or other open space: ditch the expensive membership subscriptions and session fees, and jog, walk or cycle instead. Join the Fools on the Fitness & Exercise board in their weekly diet and exercise challenges.
3. DIY
You've done that course on plumbing or DIY or basic car maintenance -- well, now it's time to practise what you've learned. (Even if you've not done an evening course, Haynes manuals like these on car maintenance, and similar books on DIY offer a good grounding.) It's no secret that many of us pay professionals to do basic repairs that we could quite easily do ourselves -- and save ourselves a hefty sum into the bargain. Last week I replaced a leaky plumbing fitting (and no, I hadn't installed it in the first place!), and fixed an electrical problem with my car's lights.
DIY isn't just limited to repairs and maintenance, either. Properly carried out, DIY household and garden projects not only add to the enjoyment you get from your property, but add value to it -- as well as offering the opportunity for satisfying and relaxing leisure time. Wielding a paint brush isn't difficult, and more ambitious projects -- such as constructing a patio or building some garden furniture -- hold out the prospect of creating leisure space that you'll want to stay at home and enjoy, rather than going out.
As always, you'll find lots of advice on our Gardening and Building & DIY boards.
4. Gardening for profit
Gardens aren't just for patios and lounging on deck chairs, of course. Many Fools see them as useful sources of fresh fruit and vegetables -- especially when combined with a greenhouse. Most gardens have a patch of land that can be used for growing crops for the kitchen, and even Fools without a garden can apply for an allotment -- local councils usually keep details of what's on offer. Eating food you've grown yourself is very satisfying, and the taste is superb.
Needless to say, it's time well spent when it comes to the monthly food bill, too -- and as this article showed, it's possible to obtains seeds, plants and tools very economically indeed.
5. Stay on top of your finances
Finally, devote some leisure time to personal finance. You probably do some of this already -- you're reading The Fool, after all! -- but it's amazing the difference that putting aside a couple of hours on a regular basis can make.
Most of us regular readers of The Fool come across ideas that sound interesting, but which we never get round to following up or researching. Well, make time! Search for the best ISA or savings account! Reclaim those bank charges! And pay that credit card bill before incurring that late fee! Since putting aside a couple of hours on a Sunday morning on a regular basis, I've certainly noticed quite a difference in my own personal affairs.
By Malcolm WheatleyPrivate Reply to Stella Holman | | Jul 07, 2007 8:32 am | | re: Five Ways To Profit From You Leisure Time | # | 
JoJo Tabares | | I am not sure what a DIY is, but here is another suggestion for profiting in your business during leisure time:
1. Smile! Be friendly. Start up conversations with people. As you go about your day, make contact with folks. Chit chat. Have fun making a new friend. Taking your kids to the karate studio? Strike up a conversation with the next mom! She may just need your products or know someone who does!
I recently was at my son's swim class where I met a lovely lady who sells Christian jewelry! Ooooh! I HAD to look. She brought brochures with her and had some of her jewelry out. I had to ogle! We got to talking and we found that I could help her get the word out about her business! I run an annual online communication convention and we are looking for sponsors. She was facinated by the whole idea and about a week later she signed up to sponsor the event this year! Voila (How DO you spell that?)! A new friend AND business associate! I love being in business with friends!
JoJo
http://www.ArtofEloquence.com Private Reply to JoJo Tabares | | Jul 07, 2007 5:25 pm | | re: re: Five Ways To Profit From You Leisure Time | # |
Stella Holman | | DIY - is Do-IT-Yourself - a term used in decorating:-)
You have some good ideas, though personally, I wouldn't be encouraging my son to do Karate, being that you are tapping in to another spiritual dimention.
In fact I had long discussions about this sometime back with my Pastor, anyone interested in this comment, I'd be pleased to advise why.
I don't always have my business hat on, I like to get away from the job at times and just be myself. Not many people that I know on a personal level even know I carry out the Online Marketing, half the people I know don't even use the email or have a computer on the internet for that matter.
So you could say i live a bit of a double life.
Blessings + kind regards
Stella Holman - Ivey Business Services
http://www.stella-holman.comPrivate Reply to Stella Holman | | Jul 07, 2007 5:31 pm | | re: re: re: Five Ways To Profit From You Leisure Time | # |
JoJo Tabares | | You are right in that some Karate or Martial Arts delve into very strange stuff, but there are many American Karate and even a Christian karate program that do not. My dd's instructor is a Christian and there is nothing they do that conflicts with anything in the Bible. It's good to check out any extra curricular activity your children do and the teachings they have. My dh went to about 30 karate studios before finding the one she joined. We recently moved up here and they traveled to the ones up here and settled on this one.
JoJo Private Reply to JoJo Tabares | | Jul 10, 2007 12:37 pm | | re: re: re: re: Five Ways To Profit From You Leisure Time | # |
Stella Holman | | Thanks JoJo.
I agree with you!! I always check up on all the activities that my children get involved with and also on who the organisors are. Though most of the activities they do are with our church family.
Hope you are having a good week?
Blessings
StellaPrivate Reply to Stella Holman |  | |
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