If you suddenly had lots of free time but not much money what would you do to occupy yourself?

[PrincessDando]

I recently left a job that turned out wrong, and am looking for my next move but prepared for this to take some time as I want to get the right thing. So I may be out of work for a few months... it's impossible to tell.

Meanwhile, I have loads of free time but not loads of money... i'm trying to be frugal but can spend a little from savings so as not to be completely bored.

I want to use this period of time off as best I can, apart from job hunting does anyone have any ideas for what I can do that won't cost a fortune.

I live in a big city (Manchester suburbs) but also not too far from countryside.

Would love to hear your ideas!

Read
Go for walks
Go to the gym if you have a membership anyway
Bake
Watch TV
Declutter and deep clean the house

I'd read all the books I've never had time for, borrowed from the library.

Read.Check out what is going on at your local library. My library often has groups and events on which are free.

Go to the library and read, maybe learn something new.

Take long walks.

Go to museums and art galleries.

Listen to radio 4

I'd work my way through a humongous quantity of library books.

Do some home cooking.

Go for walks/runs.

Read the books I have sitting in my bedside table
Take up crochet
Go jogging in parks
Declutter and paint the master bedroom
Make lunch dates with friends/ex-coworkers I haven’t seen in awhile

I miss free time.

I would (and did) volunteer for a local charity, with a cause close to your heart.

Colouring books
Netflix
Baking
Yoga
Meditation
Sewing

Write a novel and train for a marathon. Or walk the Pennine Way or another long-distance path.

I would want to get fitter and would join a gym. If you can go 3-4 times a week it should be decent value.

Read
Exercise
De clutter
Window shop
Knitting
Crochet
Sewing
Cross stitch

It’s a lovely time of year for long autumnal walks.
Read lots - borrow from the library.
Do some volunteer work.

I'd;

• read a lot
• watch all the classic movies I've never seen
• learn conversational Spanish
• watch youtube videos to learn how to braid hair and apply make up correctly
• practise a few new, more adventurous recipes
• learn how to make a decent birthday cake
• find a local yoga class
• actually finish a C25k

What everyone else has said. The Pennine Way might not be practical in winter but lots of ideas here, or just get out and walk as much as you can.

Obviously depends on what transport you have and whether you like to walk alone or have people to walk with.

If your'e interested in mysteries, you might want to download the Body on the Moor podcasts and then take a trip to walk from Dovestone reservoir to see for yourself where the body was found.

Have a look at Future Learn website for free on line courses, mostly produced by universities.
There may well be courses in your field of employment which would enhance your employment prospects, or you could do something else just for fun.

If you've got a pool nearby, go swimming weekly. A season ticket would probably be cheaper than gym membership, and swimming is excellent as an all round fitness booster.

Think about temping a day or two a week might gove you some disposable income

Also in Manchester there is a lot of work for Extras - the pay is low and the work often boring but occasionally it can be interesting and you often meet interesting people

I wish I had some free time I would
Decorate
Declutter
Gardening
Reading
Sewing
Knitting
Painting
Exercise
Learn a language

Read, crochet, sleep and do yoga

I’d exercise, declutter / reorganise my home environment, give my finances a check up (www.moneysavingexpert.com is a great resource), read lots of books from the library and reconnect with family and friends.

I would use DuoLingo to learn a new language. I would probably get on with learning some coding, too, because I've been wanting to for a while so I can support my son's school work. There are plenty of free resources out there for that.

In fact, in that vein, I'd look at EdX and Coursera as they have free courses on a range of topics and you could do one or more of those just to satisfy your own curiosity without it needing to be at all vocational.

I might consider getting a monthly pass for the local pool and get in the habit of swimming, and I would probably also spend some time crafting: crochet, knitting, felting or embroidery, with the advantage that Woolly Hugs on here will happily supply you with yarn for squares so it doesn't have to be more expensive than buying the right size needles or hook if you don't already have them, and YouTube is full of excellent tutorials for most crafts.

I have lots of books to catch up on reading, and if I weren't as sick and disabled as I am, I'd probably want to potter around doing more gardening, which isn't an option for me right now, but might be for you. There's always a border to weed or something.

Beyond that, I know someone who has a stall at the Christmas market in Manchester at the moment who has been looking for staff, so I might consider whether doing some part time work might be a good way to get me out of the house and do something positive that earns me some extra money for Christmas.

Thanks everyone

I have joined the local gym which is not too expensive, due to the stress of being in the wrong job I comfort ate about half a stone on (in a month!) so definitely need to de- flab and chill.

I'll consider the other suggestions, I'm not massively into languages but maybe something crafty would be a good way to spend time.

Go for a coffee and use their free WiFi.

Declutter and decorate