Tip or Tool
|
How to Make it Work for You
|
Notes
|
Cut the Cord
|
Share Netflix (or other streaming service) account with family, friends, or members/VISTAs. In some places in Iowa, it is possible to get free basic TV over the airwaves, you may just need an antenna.
|
Use the Library and other free resources
|
Local libraries have more than just books – check them out for free internet, audio books, board games, DVDs, CDs, tickets to local events (zoo, science center, etc.), tablets for kids and more!
Other free resources for books, podcasts and music include Spotify, Audible and Pandora to name a few. The Library of Congress has an assortment of resources for people who are blind or print disabled. That also benefits people who are looking for audiobooks.
|
For a list of libraries in Iowa, click here
Spotify
Audible Podcasts
Audible Free Children's books
Pandora
Library of Congress
|
Bike Trails, Picnicking, Hiking, Geocaching
|
Iowa has 72 state parks across the state. Most of those have a variety of fun things to do. The state also has numerous county parks too. The county park system is easy to use – they have an online camp registration system and an online guide to help you decide which park best suits your needs - Iowa's County Conservation System Guide to Outdoor Adventure. In 2020, Iowa Parks turned 200 years old. In support of this milestone, there were several free resources developed to get people to visit the parks. The Iowa Department Transportation (DOT) publishes a map of trails across the state. You can order those from the DOT website. You can also pick up free bike and trail maps in county courthouses and other public buildings.
|
The state park guide can be found here
Trails available on Iowa Department of Natural Resource (DNR) property, click here
County parks camping registration, Link
For geocaching information, click here
Geocaching trail link
Parks 2020 resources - click here
To order a Bike Trail map, click here
To search for hiking trails, click here
|
Gyms/Yoga
|
- Check with your gym or yoga studio to see if they offer a sliding scale based on income.
- Sign up for a gym/yoga studio’s free introductory class or time period.
- Look for a Groupon or Living Social deals to gain access to a local gym/yoga studio.
- Check with your local YMCA; most offer up to 50% discounts based on income.
- Check out your local library for fitness/yoga videos.
- Netflix or other streaming services have fitness/yoga channels, often free of charge.
- Running or hiking is free to do and gets you outdoors. If you like doing these activities with others, you can often find groups to join on Facebook.
|
To find a YMCA in your area, click here
Living Social
Groupon
|
Concerts, festivals, theatres, theaters, museums, and historic sites
|
- Ask about opportunities to volunteer in exchange for entrance
- Look for a summer schedule of free community events including: movies, summer concerts, theatre events
- See if you can usher at events (the Des Moines Performing Arts Center, or similar venues) that would enable you to see the show at no cost
- Many movie theaters have specials, either days of the week or times during the day, where ticket prices are reduced. Look to theater pages for more information.
- Want to go to Hinterland?! Become a volunteer!!
- Volunteer for festivals and events around the greater Des Moines Area
- Check out this resource – Free Things to Do in Des Moines, it is full of free and low cost things to do in the Des Moines area!
- Check out area museums for free dates or days. See if you can volunteer
|
Des Moines Performing Arts Volunteering
AMC Movie Theaters
Cinemark
Marcus Theatres
Fridley Theater
Festivals across Iowa
Hinterland volunteer
Volunteer for events in and around Des Moines
Free things to do in Des Moines
Recreational Volunteer Events in Cedar Rapids
Free things to do in Cedar Rapids
Free things to do in Iowa City
Free things to do in the Quad Cities
Free things to do in Waterloo
Free things to do in Mason City
Free things to do in Omaha
Note: Various entities (i.e., museums, zoos, farmer’s markets, etc.) may have offer discounts to those who receive SNAP.
|
Activities with kids
|
- Scavenger hunt (indoors or outdoors)
- Library movie night with Dollar Store treats
- Borrow tablets from the library with great educational games for trips or just for fun
- Glow sticks party – Dollar Store has glow sticks 10/$1, throw in bubbles, and chalk and have a party!
- Board Game night – borrow from the library or from friends, swap with neighbors. Enjoy the games
- Find a parent group or blog in your area for tips and insider information on the best splash pads, pools and local activities
- Hike, bike, picnic and play at a local park
|
Dsm4kids.com
Scavenger hunt ideas
Des Moines Mom Blog
Iowa City Mom Blog
Cedar Rapids Mom Blog
Omaha Mom Blog
Quad City Mom Blog
|
Education
|
During a recent survey of AmeriCorps members in Iowa, training and certifications ranked very high on things that were desirable outcomes of members’ service. While many members are receiving professional development opportunities because of their time as a member, you don’t have to wait for your site supervisor to send you to a training or only take courses that align with your service. There are plenty of free and nearly free options for certifications and professional development for online courses from schools like Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Yale, Columbia, Stanford, Johns Hopkins, NYU, Duke, and more. Check out the resources in the next column. Note that many courses are free, but some may charge a fee for certification.
|
Coursera
edX
FutureLearn
Udemy
Sophia
These links are specifically related to the Non-Profit Sector:
Nonprofit Ready
Philanthropy University
Candid
National Council of Nonprofits
Linkedin Learning
|
Restyle your lifestyle
|
• Unsubscribe from promotional emails – they encourage you to buy or try things you just don’t need
• Initiate No-Spend days in your week – or entire weekends! This will take practice, but your spending can be cut in half
• Consolidate monthly subscriptions (Amazon, Disney+, Netflix) with friends or family members
• Repair or mend clothing instead of buying new. Check out this article - 8 tips to help clothes last longer
- Wait a month before buying anything new – can you live without it?
• Buy secondhand – It doesn’t just mean thrift shops, try Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, eBay and other local
buy/sell pages
- Buy Nothing. Not that you will not acquire new things, just find items for free or make them. Check out the Buy Nothing Project
• Simplify your bathroom routine. Or consider ways cut costs by making homemade cleaners, bodywash, toners and
moisturizers. Pinterest has a lot of suggestions and recipes to help you start this process. Check out the products
designed for men. Often, they’re the same, just packaged differently and priced lower!
• You can also reduce costs and help the environment by making a variety of homemade cleaning products. Vinegar
is earth-friendly and is great for cleaning everything from windows to floors to bathrooms, and it’s easy on your
budget as well. Again, Pinterest has MANY posts about making and using homemade products to clean your home
and other things, including laundry. Take a look!
• Move social gatherings from restaurants and bars to your home or backyard
• Know where your money goes – Track your spending and face your habits.
• Consider this order when looking for something – “Use what you have, Borrow, Swap, Thrift, Make, Buy”
|