Reading Time: 3 minutes

When you’re stuck at home with a lot of time on your hands, it can be a struggle to keep yourself entertained.  By now scrolling through social media has gotten old, there are no sports on TV and you probably take 50 trips to the fridge just because there’s nothing else to do.  Here are 10 free things to do when you’re bored at home.

Organize your closet

Stop holding on to things you haven’t worn in years.  Go through your closet to see what’s worth keeping and what’s not.  Unwanted items in good condition can be donated to someone in need or sold to your local thrift store.

Exercise

Just because you can’t make it to the gym doesn’t mean you can’t get a great workout at home.  Many fitness companies are offering free online workouts.  For instance, ClassPass has over 2,000 video and audio workouts you can do.  Life Time also has a lot of classes that don’t require a lot of space or equipment.  You can do cardio, strength, yoga and more.

Video chat with loved ones

Near or far, video calls can help you stay connected wherever you are.  So download one of the numerous video chat apps on the market and check in with your loved ones.  Popular picks include Skype, WhatsApp, Google Duo and Facetime if you have an iPhone.

Get rid of expired items in your fridge and pantry

There’s nothing worse than having your heart set on eating a particular snack only to realize it’s expired.  Spare yourself any future heartbreak by throwing out any expired items in your fridge or pantry.  To cut down on future food waste, keep track of what your family actually eats and stick to those items.  Before heading to the store, see what you have on hand that needs to be used up soon then plan your meals around those ingredients.  Also, make sure you’re storing your groceries properly to keep them fresh for as long as possible.

Treat yourself to a DIY spa day

Relax and unwind with a spa day at home.  Skip the expensive body scrubs and DIY your own treatments for cheap.  For example, you can make a coffee body scrub using coffee grounds, sugar and coconut oil.  In need of a deep conditioning hair treatment?  An avocado, honey and olive oil hair mask can repair dry, damaged hair.  You can also try dry brushing to exfoliate your skin and improve blood circulation.

Rewatch your favorite movies

Some movies never get old no matter have many times watch them.  Take a trip down memory lane by revisiting one of your favorite classics.  Many people still love watching Dirty Dancing, Jurassic Park, The Breakfast Club, The Sandlot and Twilight. 

Work on your budget

By no means is creating a budget the most exciting activity, but it can put you a much better financial position.  Grab your pay stubs, bills and receipts to see exactly where your money has been going.  If you find that you’ve been overspending, look for ways to cut back.  For starters, you can eat out less, downgrade your cable package or cancel subscriptions you no longer use.

Take a virtual museum tour

Traveling may be out of the equation right now, but you can take a virtual tour of the best museums around the world.  Google Arts & Culture has over 1,200 museums to choose from.  Art lovers can explore pieces from the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam or the Guggenheim Museum in New York to name a few.

Bake a tasty treat

Elevate your cooking skills by experimenting with a new dessert recipe.  The key to success is to follow the instructions and be precise with your measurements.  If you’re a beginner, start with something easy like chocolate chip cookies, brownies or banana muffins.

Go to sleep

Catching some ZZZ’s not only kills time, it’s also good for your health.  Research has shown that people who sleep less than 6-7 hours a day have a higher risk of developing diseases.  Getting adequate rest lowers your risk of depression, sharpens your memory, keeps your heart healthy and helps your body repair itself.  Even taking an hour-long nap can make you more productive. 

File your taxes fast and easy. Biggest possible refund, guaranteed!