Things to look forward to when you can't afford treats

[Outoutoutshout]

Hi everyone. Happy bank holiday.
I'm struggling a bit financially so holidays, meals out, trips etc are on hold for a year or two (maybe longer).
I'm looking for tips to make this manageable. What things do you do that you still look forward to when money is tight? I'll do plenty of walks and free local trips but I'd like some other ideas if possible. Thanks.

When I was very short on money, the best thing I did was find some friends who were equally short on money and hang out with them. We'd have a movie night one night every weekend watching a DVD one of us already owned so had seen umpteens of times and share a bag of crisps or chocolates and, if we could afford it, a bottle of wine. We'd also chose a series on TV and meet up mid week to watch that, taking it in turns to "host" which was usually nothing more than jacket potatoes. At weekends, we'd find a free activity to do or, if we didn't fancy them, go for a walk somewhere. If we had the money, we might stop for a drink but most of the time it would be a case of buying a drink in a corner shop or just bringing something from home.
I got free access to a gym through work during this time too so I'd meet colleagues there once or twice a week. Even if it was nothing more than a quick chat between using the machines or after a class, it felt socialable. I also joined the Ramblers as then, if I had nothing on all day on a Sunday, I could go for a walk. As I lived in London and had a travel card, I could often get to the start of the walk for free or for a relatively low cost. One of my friends did a range of evening classes which were free.
I was fortunate and went up a pay scale after a year or so but this group of friends remained in a similar position for another few years so we still socialised as I've described above but I always provided the wine or treats. Even now we're better off we tend to do relatively cheap things.

When the weather is nice, take a blanket to the park and lie there with an icy drink and something to eat and a good book

From now on, local to me, there will be some sort of fete/carnival/open day thing just about every weekend until October. Take a packed lunch and blanket and sit and watch the entertainment. You might not normally go and watch a regatta/cycling race/free to watch sport thing, but it can be fun to do and breaks time up.
I went swimming in the river today with random ladies from a swimming group on FB which was free, and lovely sitting in the sun drinking coffee from a flask afterwards together

Bath with g&t and a book, I get it all set up with a little stool for my drink and book

Walk with a podcast or arranging walk with a friend

Movie night at home with popcorn

I joined a swap and share app so I sometimes get new things off there for free which feel like I’ve bought them.

Attending church and taking part in activities, always feels like there’s something to look forward to.

Look into volunteering at a festival, I haven’t done this yet but it’s a great way to make friends and have a ‘holiday’ at the same time