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!

Duolingo to learn a language (free) future learn is a website that hosts many free courses provided by universities and colleges all manner of subjects. Personally I’d like to improve my sewing (by practising) and learn British Sign Language

i second Futurelearn

I have lots of free time, and not too much money. I'm used to it, and never seem to get bored, so I guess I must fill my time somehow...

• I listen to lots of podcasts and audio books, and read.
• I crochet and dabble in some other crafts.
• I bake and try to be interested in cooking...
• Normal, boring chores still take some time to get done.
• I'm not very sporty, but do yoga and go for walks, or my back seizes up.
• I have a Great Courses Plus subscription at the moment, so I listen or watch the lectures, but there are plenty of ways to learn new things free online.
• I obviously waste (?) too much time online not even attempting to learn anything; just entertaining myself.
• I go to a social/hobby group once or twice a week during the day.
• I have a couple of friends who aren't often occupied during the day, either, and we get together for long lunch and chat when we can, or visit cinema or a museum together.

I love jigsaw puzzles and usually pick them up for a couple of pounds from charity shops. Sometimes there is a piece of two missing but more often than not they are complete. So if I had spare time and little/no money I would do loads of jigsaws as well as a systematic deep clean of the house room by room, read (library or charity shop books) and go for long walks.

This is me! In a break between jobs. Other than ideas above, there's also a Google Garage in Manchester and they have all sorts of free courses on setting up your own business, digital marketing, CVs, covering letters, careers coaching etc - might be useful?

Read, walk, window shop, make plans, update spreadsheets, clear old filing, sort the garden, touch up paint around the house, watch things I never get round to, maybe go through the top 100 films of all time, do a bit of eBay selling and clearing out, maybe learn to sew or borrow a sewing machine to make a few clothes for child.
Take lots of baths.
Make bread by hand rather than machine.

This is my life at the moment. I have taken extended leave from my fulltime job (bliss!) and have filled my days pottering about at home and in the garden, reading, listening to music and podcasts, long walks, cooking for my family, established a cleaning routine, decluttering, catching up with friends etc. I really (really!) do not want to return to work next year 😭.

I'd look for cheap cinema tickets during the daytime (when the cinema is quiet too, what a bonus!)

Work on using up all the craft supplies I have accumulated over the years. I would be in heaven.

Figure out when all the supermarkets have their stuff reduced to go and hunt for bargains. Go home and make thrifty nutritious meals.
Go for hikes.
Library.
Spend an hour or two in a coffee shop.
Volunteer.
Go swimming. Spend ages having a shower, sauna afterwards to beautify.
Cook long slow meals, make sure the oven is full!

Upcycle or vintage your furniture, or get some cheap junk shop stuff to upcycle.
A get fit routine, and meditation/yoga
See what's going on at local library and local groups.
Volunteer at local homeless shelters
Have a good clear out
Do a long hike, like the Santiago pilgrimage
Part loan a horse
Long bike rides in the countryside

This is what I'd do:
Go to antique markets then do up the furniture I bought
Have a massive declutter/sort out (including attic)
List no longer needed stuff, clothes and shoes on eBay
Paint and decorate house
Do all the little jobs I never get round to that niggle away in back of my mind (getting keys cut, boots reheeled, coats drycleaned etc etc)
Listen to podcasts, watch Netflix
Go to museums and art galleries
Meet friends for coffee
Visit national trust places (free as I've already paid for annual membership)
Join a gym/couch to 5k or do workouts at home
Sort out digital photos and create photo books

Due to different circumstances I have been signed off since the beginning of August and spend time:
Reading
Drawing
Trying to learn crochet
Having piano lessons
Walks
Different friends work different days so I spend time with them

Yoga by Adrienne
Go running (if you already have kit)
Books from the library
Long leisurely soaks in the bath
Cooking different recipes
Art (you can get cheap stuff from places like The Works, it doesn't need to be artist quality if you're a beginner and it's just for fun)

Meant to say, yoga by Adrienne is on YouTube so it's free

I see future learn has already been mentioned, also coursera for free on line courses

I'd take up dog walking
Read lots of books
Do some online courses
Declutter house
Redecorate don't need to spend a lot maybe scour some charity shops
Do some volunteering
Start a new exercise regime
Try lots of new recipes

I like to meal plan and do lots of home cooking, currently trying to do lots more vegetarian recipes.
I also love to go for a walk in the middle of the day to soak up any sunshine.
It's nice to plan some socialising - meeting a friend, volunteering or going to a class.
Reading and listening to podcasts always feels like a luxury to me.
Also some satisfaction in general "sorting stuff out", decluttering and organising.
And I have time to provide extra support to my family and getting jobs done in the week so that dh can relax and do stuff with me at the weekends.