January can also take the name of ‘spending hangover’ following the practically never-ending buying the month prior. However, it can be seen as an opportunity to get creative and do things without spending too much. And there is actually so much you can do that doesn’t involve fancy breakfasts and expensive parties. Here are a few ideas that we love, and recommend.
Take part in a car boot sale
New year, new start? Why not declutter and take part in a car boot sale, selling off your old things and consequently (slightly) recovering your bank account? There are a few car boot sales around Malta which you can participate in, one of which is the Birgu car boot sale on Sunday mornings, which also makes for a fun adventure.
Homemade cinema
With a database of films available at the click of a button, it is simple to turn a room in your house into your own makeshift cinema. Microwave popcorn, a floor full of cushions, a TV, or a laptop and projector, and voila.. a cinema, minus the ticket-purchasing, queue, and traffic to get there.
BYOB parties
A tight budget does not necessarily mean no parties. Bring-your-own-bottle parties are an ideal way of still organising get-togethers but splitting the costs.
Homebound hobby
There's no time like the present to take the opportunity to start your own low-cost hobby, or catch up on the things you hardly had time to do in your jam-packed December. Finish that book, learn that recipe, make those crafts.
Go on an adventure
Although our islands are small, chances are we have not seen every part of them. Find an area you have never been before, or a place you have never stepped into, and go and discover it. Alternatively, go on a hike or a short camping trip.
Start a club
Clubs are great ways of socialising and ideal for the winter months. Get a few people together who share the same interest as you and plan a meet-up around it. Conversation and discussion are free!