Students make a snowman outside of the SC building. Ruby Go | Washtenaw Voice
Budget-friendly winter activities
by Lauren Smith
Staff Writer
Coming out of the holiday season and wrestling with the effects of inflation, many people of all ages are feeling financial strain. With a higher portion of budgets being directed towards replenishing savings accounts and affording the rising cost of living, it can be difficult to see where there could be much room for fun. Good news: If you look in the right place, you can find budget-friendly fun for everyone. Luckily, you found the right place!
FOR THE ADVENTURERS
If you are feeling energetic and don’t mind the colder temperatures, Nichols Arboretum in Ann Arbor is open year round, free to the public. Grab some boots and get trekking on any of the trails of varying difficulty.
For those who want some fresh air but may prefer something a little less exposed to the elements, Buhr Park Outdoor Ice Arena is a covered outdoor ice rink open seven days a week for public open skating. A total of $9 covers $6 admission and $3 skate rental fee . If you really want to take your savings to the next level, admission is half off on Wednesdays and Thursdays!
FOR THE INTELLECTUALS
One of the perks to college towns is the abundance of museums. The University of Michigan Museum of Art is free and open to the public. Explore their exhibitions both historical and modern, emotionally moving and aesthetically pleasing. They also host free events, where audiences can learn from guest speakers or about specific exhibitions. You may even get the opportunity to meet some of their featured artists!
FOR THE SOCIAL ZEALOTS
Craving dinner with friends but cringing at the thought of a $15 appetizer? Call up your pals and arrange a potluck! Everyone can bring their favorite dish to share with the group. You’ll save a ton on dinner, get to try some new dishes, and (hopefully) have plenty leftovers!
You can also use this same idea to plan a game night. Each person brings a party/board game and you’ll have enough to play all day. If you don’t already own a game, you can find them used for a great deal at your local thrift shop – just make sure all the pieces are intact – or a deck of cheap playing cards will rarely run higher than $5. If you want to splurge a bit, most games run around $20 at stores such as Target and Walmart.
FOR THE HOMEBODIES
Being out and about isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. That being said, it’s easy to sit at home and doom scroll if you’ve seemingly run out of things to do without leaving the house. In this digital age, the world is your oyster without ever stepping out your front door.
One resource to take advantage of is a website called edX.org. This website offers free career skill courses from multiple prestigious universities including Harvard, Berkeley, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Compared to websites such as SkillShare and Udemy that run from $26 to $32 per month, this is a steal. To learn new skills from some of the most highly-revered institutions for free is an amazing opportunity to enrich your resume.
Another option, great even if you don’t have access to the internet at home, is to try new recipes. Search at your local used book store for cookbooks, or ask your friends for recipe recommendations. You can even make them in bulk and meal prep for the coming days, saving yourself time later on! Either way, you practice an essential skill and get a delicious meal, all while getting out of your comfort zone.
