5 Cheap Things to do in London

London is an expensive city, full stop. Whether you live there or just visiting, it can do a number on your purse.  I have written before about surviving visiting an expensive city, but today I thought I'd be a bit more London-centric and suggest a few cheap things to do in London. That's of course after you've done the essentials the city has to offer.


Museums at Night

Sure the national museums are free always, but how much more fun is it to go to a museum at night?! Along with the wonderful exhibits, there will be activities, food, and most importantly drinks. Quick! Get to a Museum!

Markets

Food markets are my absolute favourite thing to do. I especially love if the vendors have thought it through and offer sample selections for a fraction of the regular cost. I can try a ton of different things for relatively little. Everybody wins!

Also, I love posing with the food I'm about to eat. No flat lays found here.

Sky Garden

Newly opened and already a favourite destination (that one time I went) of mine. Free to go up and a cafe at the top! YAY! A little planning might be required here before visiting, but so worth it.


Bike Rides

Those with a keen eye will spot this as an older picture. These bright blue bikes have turned red with their new corporate sponsor, but they are still just as fun and cheap! 30 minutes free to ride.

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DIY Christmas Decorations on the Cheap

This year my family hosted it's first Christmas Open House (def: a come and go as you please informal party of friends, family, and acquaintances with snacks). When my mum first told me about this idea I knew Pinterest would be our friend in planning the menu, getting tips on how to host a successful open house, and of course decorations. We didn't want to break the bank here but still wanting the holiday cheer to smack everyone in the face as they entered the house. But you know, tasteful like. 

With a $50 budget we rocked up to the dollar store and a well timed church bazaar and got all the fixings--we actually only spent $35 on decorations and paraphernalia (cups, plates, napkins, punch ladles, etc). Nature was also a big provider of some of my crafting supplies. Word, Mother Nature.

On a Sunday morning walk I collected a bag of pine cones of various shapes and sizes and popped them in an old basket we had kicking about. I stuck a large mason jar in the centre with battery powered fairy lights and decorated with glittery bits from the dollar store. This little piece might stick around for the winter, I really liked how it came out and it's not overly Christmasy. And FAIRY LIGHTS!

On this walk, I also collected twigs, broke them and hot glued them into star shapes. I attached twine around the joints to make a more rustic look and mum added glitter to be more festive. I made a bunch so we hung these little guys all over the house and even on the tree.

This bauble wreath has been on many Pinterest crafting boards and when I came across a couple of boxes of old baubles, I knew I'd have to give it a try myself. This one was a team effort as dad had to help with the bending and twisting of the wire hanger. I'd REALLY recommend hot gluing each bauble to its cap before stringing on the wire so that they are more maneuverable and don't pop off every few seconds as you adjust them just so.

Looking for more cheap Christmas decorations ideas? Check out the fabulous Sydney at The Sydney Chronicles who has crafted 5 brilliant inexpensive holiday decorating ideas.

Do you make any of your own Christmas decorations? Tell me about it in the comments! 

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How to Survive Visiting an Expensive City

Right before we left for Denmark, someone offhandedly mentioned that Scandinavian countries are uber expensive. I took note of this but honestly thought, I'm sure it's not that bad. I was wrong. London is an expensive city to live in, but imagine all the low end, cheap restaurants disappeared and all you were left with was the special occasion, fancy restaurants for 3 meals a day. That was what I found Copenhagen to be like. Not extortionate, but high enough to make a dent in the budget fast.  We quickly regrouped and found ways for some cost cutting corners. 

1. Look up free things to do

One of my favourite things about London is that many of the popular museums are free to visit, this usually isn't the case on the continent. However, I was pleased to discover there were several free things to see and do. Meaning we weren't forced to hand over our precious fortunes to visit or to just stand at the gate peering in. 

In Copenhagen we visited the Postal and Tele Museum (trust me, it was fantastic!), the Christianborg Palace Tower, Frilandsmuseet (historic village museum, again it was good, trust me), and one of the many beautiful parks.

Being a DJ at the Postal and Tele Museum

View from Christianborg Palace Tower

Clog maker at the Frilandsmuseet

2. Picnic alfresco when possible

This is harder to do with big meals or if you have to prepare too much, but making a visit to the local grocery store means a relatively cheap and healthy meal while enjoying the sun and fresh air. We were lucky enough to have a grocery store and beautiful park close to our hostel.

3. Head off the beaten track (walk vs. public transportation)

While traveling there is nothing more satisfying than mastering the local public transportation system. That said, however, you just can't see as much than when on foot. I love exploring my local neighbourhood when I arrive some place new. You are guaranteed to be tired after a full day of walking, but that probably means sleeping well no matter what kind of condition your bed for the night is.

4. Choose what to spend money on

It's impossible to not spend any money while traveling no matter how frugal, but seriously, where is the fun in that? If you consider the things you are spending your precious pounds on it will make them seem that much more special and valuable. Sacrifices might have to be made, but if it's something you've been dreaming about then it would not be a waste. 

Taking a canal boat tour was a great way to see the city

The Round Tower was expensive and I preferred it to the Christianborg Tower

5. Sharing is caring

We could not afford to stay anyway nice or private in this very pricey city. Even the hostel was more than I'd usually like to pay. We eventually found a 6 person shared room in a hostel close to the centre. The Generator Copenhagen was the best hostel I've ever been in with a shared room. I would definitely recommend it and stay there again. (Not a sponsored post!)

Fun travels!

5 Cheap Things to do in Toronto

A few weeks ago over the long weekend I went up to Toronto and stayed over at a friend's house.  We went out to dinner, drank, chatted, had coffee, and a picnic in the park.  I couldn't even tell you the last time I went on a picnic, but you know what? It was awesome. More awesome than I remember. It got me thinking about some of my favourite things to do in Toronto, so I've created a list of my 5 fav things to do in the big smoke.

1. Picnic in the Park

High park is beautiful; there's a zoo, open green space and even waterfront. Make is a potluck picnic and invite all your friends. It can be something simple like pb&j sandwiches (with the crust cut off, to make it fancy of course) to salads and build your own sandwich. It just feels more fun when enjoyed outdoors.

   

2. Biking Toronto Islands

Toronto Islands are not very big at all, but there is so much to do and see there. From lounging on the beach (clothing optional), wondering the rows of quaint cottages, to rides at Centre Island amusement park. You can see it all by renting a bike for an hour or two and circling the paths.

We're on a tandem bike

3. Visit Museum Cafe

Sometimes my favourite part of going to a museum is checking out the gift shop or stopping for a snack at the cafe. After walking around an exhibit for an hour or so, museum fatigue sets in, and if you're anything like me, you can get a little cranky. Time to rest those puppies and enjoy some nourishment. It won't be cheap, but it's all part of the experience.

4. Walking Along the Lakeshore 

When I was younger my mother and I used to pack up our bikes and head down to Toronto. We would spend a few hours riding along the lakeshore, sometimes stopping for breakfast before heading back to the car.  Recently, I found myself back along this path and was reminded about how much goes on along there. A great place to get some exercise and people watch.

5. Eating out at an amazing Hole-in-the-wall Restaurant

     I'm not from Toronto and when I go to visit friends in town, I love when we go out to dinner especially if its at a place that I would never have come across on my own.

Fun travels! 

(I think there's a bit of a theme here, my favourite things to do in Toronto are pretty much eating.)