If one of your New Year’s Resolutions is saving money, start 2016 off right with these wallet-friendly activities to save funds while keeping yourself occupied as winter takes hold.
1. Take A Hike
Courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons: Garden State Hiker.
While it looks like dreary days are close at hand, the warm weather has been holding out unusually long this season. Be sure to take advantage of the Garden State’s scenery at places like Mahlon Dickerson Reservation (above) in Lake Hopatcong.
A perfect way to motivate yourself is by planning to join in on a “First Day Hike.“ The New Jersey State Park Service is hosting 18 guided hikes, two mountain bike rides and a horseback ride in state parks, forests and historic parks across the state, all free and happening on January 1.
2. Visit A Museum
Many museums across the state have budget-friendly admission prices or free days where ticket prices are waived. Check museum websites to find out about upcoming exhibits that interest you.
The Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University will include the free “HereNow: Rutgers 250” exhibit from January 19 through July 10 to showcase life at Rutgers in celebration of the university’s 250th anniversary.
Interested in more Jersey-related history? Check out the exhibit “New Jersey Collects: A Cabinet of Your Curiosities,” which showcases private collections from New Jersey residents who have amassed unique and rare items. The exhibit runs through February 7 at the Morris Museum (adults, $10; seniors, $7, children 3-12 years, $7; members and children under 3, free).
3. Go Antiquing
Photo courtesy of Stephen Harris.
Need to satisfy the shopping bug, but don’t want to spend too much money? Head to an antique or thrift store and pick out a table that needs a quick, fresh coat of paint, or a chair that can be reupholstered, and voilá—you’ve found your next passion project to get you through 2016.
If you’re looking to get away from the same old shopping spots, attend an event like the New Years Antique Show. Set for January 2-3 at the Birchwood Manor in Whippany, attendees can browse antiques of all kinds in one spot for an easy $8 admission.
4. Attend A Festival
The winter weather can’t keep festival-goers away—especially when the festival is free of charge. Many popular Garden State festivals take place in January, like Historic Mount Holly’s annual Fire & Ice Festival.
Set for January 31 from 10:30 am-4pm, the free event includes pro and amateur ice sculptors, a chili crawl featuring 40 chefs from Burlington County, a gingerbread-house decorating contest, an alpaca petting zoo, dog-sled demonstrations, free fire truck rides and entertainment from Revolutionary War reenactors.
5. Spruce Up
Photo Courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons: Jill.
Spring cleaning is overrated—start tackling indoor tasks while the weather is chilly so that once spring rolls around, you don’t have to waste a sunny day. Spend a winter afternoon going through a junk drawer or putting a fresh coat of paint in the bathroom, and the flowers outside will be in bloom before you know it.
6. Attend A Talk or Lecture
A great way to begin the new year is to attend an eye-opening talk or lecture that gives you fresh perspective. There are plenty of free lectures across the state this month, including “The Radical Potential of Human Rights” set for January 28 at Rutgers University-New Brunswick from 4:30-6 pm. Radhika Balakrishnan, executive director of the Center of Women’s Global Leadership at Rutgers University, will speak on human rights as part of the Institute for Research of Women’s distinguished lecture series.
7. Explore Your Local Library
Local libraries are a great place to not only find books new and old, but many are also home to an array of free activities. Stop in and explore your local or county library to check out a book, to view gallery exhibits featuring local artists, to watch a film, take a free class or to scan local listings for more local activities.