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Volunteering for Financial Freedom

October 9, 2024 Volunteering at a football concession stand instead of going out for a typical dinner date turned out to be a surprisingly fun and budget-friendly alternative for us. Here’s how this simple switch saved us money and offered unexpected benefits.On an average night out, we’d likely spend around $80 to $100 on dinner, drinks and maybe even dessert. Add in a movie or some form of entertainment, and the total could easily climb to $150 or more for just one evening. While it’s always fun to enjoy a good meal and unwind, we realized that this routine was taking a significant bite out of our budget—especially if we were doing it often.

The Volunteering Opportunity
Our daughter’s school volunteers at the UW football game’s concession stand, and a percentage of the proceeds go back to resources for the school. It was a way to give back to the community, and we thought it might be a nice change of pace, so we decided to sign up for the event.

How We Saved MoneyNo Dining Costs: Obviously, by volunteering, we didn’t spend money on eating out. We skipped the appetizers, entrees and drinks that would have easily racked up $75.Free Snacks: As volunteers, we were allowed some snacks from the stand. While it wasn’t a gourmet meal, we enjoyed basic stadium food like hot dogs, popcorn and soft drinks—free of charge!Entertainment Without the Cost: Instead of paying for entertainment, we had front-row seats to the game’s excitement. The atmosphere of the stadium, the cheers of the crowd and the game itself provided more than enough entertainment value.Quality Time Together: One of the biggest surprises was how much fun we had working together behind the counter. We laughed, chatted with other volunteers and shared a sense of teamwork. It was a refreshing break from the usual routine and gave us quality time together without distractions.By switching one night out for a volunteering shift at the football concession stand, we not only saved at least $100 but also had a memorable, fulfilling experience. It’s a great reminder that with a little creativity, there are plenty of ways to enjoy time together without breaking the bank. You might also be interested in As we wrap up our Project Money experience, we want to take a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come—emotionally and financially—and share our journey... This past week, our family participated in a door and patio decorating contest hosted by our apartment management company. The grand prize? A $200 gift... Over the past year, my family has been making deliberate choices to save money and focus on our financial goals. One of those decisions recently involved... As we approach the end of our journey with the Project Money program, Cory and I (Je’Lisa) took some time to reflect on how we can apply the financial... Every now and then, life throws a financial curveball—in this case, it was a pleasant surprise. We received a refund from our gap insurance since our car... This week, we faced an unexpected hiccup with our insurance: A doctor charged us for a 2023 appointment because they had outdated information. It was frustrating... Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, family and of course, a feast. But let’s be honest, hosting a traditional Thanksgiving can come with a hefty price... This weekend, we decided to take a quick overnight trip to Minnesota. It was to record some music and spend time with friends, but we were determined to... This month marked a milestone for our family: It was our first month without a car payment after refinancing our vehicle through Summit Credit Union. With...