How can I affordable treat myself for my birthday?

Posted by FilmFanatic1066@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 24 comments

So it’s my birthday in a couple of weeks and I’ve had a pretty rough 12 months, I also didn’t manage to do much for my birthday last year. I have a week off the week of my birthday and I’d like to have a nice time. Due to having to take a job with less money for health reasons and having to spend £240 a month on therapy I also don’t have a ton of money to spend. What are some affordable things I can do or buy for myself as a treat? I enjoy movies, reading, gaming, technology.

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24 Comments

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Solid_Bake4577@reddit

My stepson loves going to Alton Towers on his own. He goes on the rides he wants to go on, eats what he wants to eat, can go on his favourite ride 3 or 4 times - it's a no-brainer. Costs about £30 apparently. I'm sure there will be a theme park near you, so it might be something to consider.

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Nearby_Clothes_4582@reddit

Mate I'm 33 and some cocaine some weed some beer and some friends is all u need xxx

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Electrical-Ruin3312@reddit

Film wise? Not sure what's coming out but apparently evil dead rise is decent. I'd sneak a couple beers and go see it Bookwise? I'm not sure. Trainspotting is a good book, that I've been wanting to reread. If you've already read it, try Maribou Stork Tales (another by Irvine Welsh) Gaming....have you played the remakes for deadspace, TLOU or resident evil 2? Alien Isolation is quite the adventure. I enjoy a long weekend with a good game

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p00sANDw33s@reddit

Go for a long distance hike and camp along the way! I've done several over the years and they are so much fun and always an adventure, you can decide how long/difficult you make it. I'm planning on hiking the Hadrian's Wall path in May.

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FilmFanatic1066@reddit (OP)

My friend did something similar with his dad in Wales last year and said it was a great experience.

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NVision92@reddit

So for me (similar interests to you) over those days off I’d probably do something like: - treat myself to a nice breakfast different to my usual porridge once or twice. A bacon sandwich or drive to the local McDonald’s for a McMuffin meal - get out for a walk or to the gym every day so I could at least have some physical activity for the day ticked off - spend a day gaming in my pjs - find a few critically acclaimed/award winning movies you’ve managed to miss out on somehow and watch them in the evenings - if there’s anything at the cinema that appeals then just go, I’ve done the cinema solo plenty of times. Nobody else notices/cares that you’re on your own. If you go first showing of the day on a weekday it might even be empty apart from you. - also if you’re single treat yourself to a birthday wank, you deserve it

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FilmFanatic1066@reddit (OP)

I’m totally fine going to the cinema on my own so that’s a good shout, nice breakfast also sounds good, there’s a cafe a short walk from me that does really good value fry ups and haven’t been in a long time.

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Spanky_Da_Monkey@reddit

You might want to look at finding a signed copy of a book by an author you like / love. If you're in to SF, Fantasy or Comics then check the Forbidden Planet website - [https://forbiddenplanet.com/](https://forbiddenplanet.com/) Otherwise, plan a trip in to L:ondon (or nearest city) and spend some time in a Gallery or Museum. The last time I did that myself was a trip to the Natural History Museum as I wanted to see how big a Dodo was (which turned out to be surprisingly large).

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-Snowy-Static-@reddit

Your other post history doesn't seem to match this post - am I missing something?

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FilmFanatic1066@reddit (OP)

I have a lot in savings but that’s my property deposit savings so I treat that as locked away. I’ve spent 6 months out of work since last July, taken a job that is a pay cut for my mental health and am spending a lot on therapy so I’m penny pinching

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-Snowy-Static-@reddit

Ah I see - sensible and admirable approach. What budget do you have in mind? Just to gauge what 'affordable' means to you at this time. Don't know where you're at geographically, but spending some time on a beach always works wonders for my head space. Also, sorry that you're going through mental health struggles - they suck.

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FilmFanatic1066@reddit (OP)

I’m based in Aldershot in the south east, I’ll probably get like £40-50 in birthday money so at least that much. There are some beaches in an okayish driving distance so fish and chips by the sea or a walk along the beach might be a nice idea

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Gloomy_Stage@reddit

Camping in The New Forest? Not too far from you - obviously this depends if you have camping kit already.

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FilmFanatic1066@reddit (OP)

That’s not a bad idea, I do have camping gear as I usually do a long weekend camping trip with friends in the summer

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-Snowy-Static-@reddit

Oooh yes birthday fish and chips.

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Adventurous_Toe_1686@reddit

Play video games, books and movies that you own. You have a week off and (presumably) no kids? Get a bottle of something nice and have a wild time my friend, the world is your Oyster.

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CityCapital927@reddit

Get on tinder...2 drinks and you're golden. Just pull out or that CSA is gonna hurt

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shacke1379@reddit

Never change, Reddit. 👍

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Extension-Prize8678@reddit

Weirdly I'd just posted this in another thread. Have some free cakes! https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/deals/birthday-freebies-discounts/

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FilmFanatic1066@reddit (OP)

This is awesome thanks, so many options

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Laughinboy83@reddit

Pick up a.subscription to something for a month, Netflix or Amazon Prime, get some nice food and just chill with some films n treats for the week.

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destria@reddit

Spend the afternoon in the library perhaps? Bring a flask of tea or a water bottle. Find a cosy nook and bunker down. Maybe boot up an old game that you have lying around? Do you have any friends who could come over and have a movie night with you? Buy some popcorn and enjoy a film of choice.

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togtogtog@reddit

* Go for a nice walk * Have a bubble bath with candles * Meet up with a friend for coffee at your home or theirs * Go to the local swimming pool * Have a look in the library. They have films and games as well as books

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