Hobbies and activities can be expensive but this isn’t always the case. Even simple changes in routine can help to ward off boredom. Use any of the suggestions below for a lift when spirits are dull.

1. Walk to your local library and browse through the books. The sights and sounds will help to dispel  feelings of boredom; the exercise will do you good. While you are there, pick up some free movies for later.
2. Plan to visit yard sales or flea markets. You may find just the item you’ve been looking for and at substantially reduced cost. Bringing something different home can be a pick-me-up; finding craft supplies or kitchen ornaments can be a nice surprise.
3. Change your appearance. Cut your hair or change its color. If you aren’t skilled with scissors or dye, get a friend to help you. Visit a used clothing store and pick out something new-to-you. Sometimes, just changing the way you look or having something different to wear can be enough to dispel boredom.
4. Set aside some time to go for a drive in the country or plan to visit a park or a beach. Pack a simple picnic lunch and make a whole day out of it. Walking along paths or by the water or taking a winding country drive and taking in the sights can be a low-cost boredom buster.
5. Decide to hone up on a subject you’ve always found interesting. Take notes and mentally go over the points to see if you remember what you’ve learned.
6. Hold a potluck and movie night and invite your friends over. This low-cost socializing will provide laughs and companionship that will help to lighten your mood.
7. Call someone. Boredom often goes hand in hand with loneliness. Reaching out may be just the thing to pull you out of yourself. Exchanging ideas with someone else may help you to feel more connected.
8. Plan to do something nice for one of your neighbors or for a family member. Think of what you could take over to them: homemade cookies, a loaf of homemade bread, or some produce from your garden, maybe?
9. Change the furniture around. You may find that your spirits lift and ideas flow, once you embark on this project.
10. Dig a flowerbed. Ask your friends for pieces of their perennials, pick up inexpensive seed packets. Add to your flowerbed as you can afford to do so.

With a little planning, you can beat boredom–even when times are tight. If you take action, you just might find that boredom has taken a backseat.