Take a Break: Inexpensive Ways to Celebrate Your New Home
Congratulations! You’ve come a long way and are getting really close to your move-in date. Relax a bit before you hit the home stretch. Here several fun but inexpensive ways to reward yourself.
You deserve it, after all. Just think of what you’ve accomplished – negotiating unfamiliar neighborhoods, deciphering the cryptic language of home listings, making an offer and signing approximately 9,713,511 documents at the closing. You saw it through, and now you own a house!
So take a break. It can take just a little money to put a big smile on your face.
You’re a homeowner – sing about it from the rooftops, or at least, the local karaoke bar. “Our House” by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and maybe “Green, Green Grass of Home” should be on the song list. Then cruise on down to the bowling alley with your pals.
The next day, check out the local farmer’s market, where produce will be plentiful, fresh and reasonable. You can have a blast people-watching as moms, dads, children, executives and other life forms stop by to cruise (but hopefully not bruise) the papayas.
The flea market is another delightful source of cheap eats, good people-watching and potential bargains. And speaking of expeditions, what could be more refreshing than a walk on the beach or at the lake? If you go at night, you might consider building a campfire. You could bring the canonical ingredients – graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate – and make s’mores. (Do check with local ordinances before you light any fires, though.)
While you’re at the beach, if it’s the right time of year, jump in for a swim. Day or night, immersing yourself in water is one of the best ways to cleanse yourself of stress. In fact, a visit to a hot tub establishment, if there’s one in your neck of the woods, can’t be beat for turning stress to bliss.
Another way to de-stress is rooting for the home team, of course. Most baseball stadiums have cheap seats. If the theater or the movies are more your style, you can take in a matinee.
Or maybe you’d rather entertain yourself. You can get a snazzy poker setup – chips, cards, card tray – for around $30. Throw in some drinks, chips and six or seven honest friends and you’re in business. For that matter, why not play Monopoly? After all, you’re a real estate tycoon now. Isn’t this how Donald Trump started?
Hopefully, by the time you come up for air from these various pursuits, the rigors of house hunting will be forgotten and you’ll be rested, recharged and ready for move-in day.