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by Janet Doyle
One of the best parts of the insolvency process is that it is designed to allow clients to continue to live their lives. Clients track their spending every month, which allows them to adjust their budget and re-evaluate their financial choices. Entertainment is included as part of the budget and it’s a great place to reduce spending; if you put the effort in there are many ways to enjoy your time for free or at a low cost.
With summer around the corner, we’ve come up with a list of some great, low cost ways to spend your time in Ottawa. Even if you haven’t worked with Doyle Salewski to manage your debt, chances are there is something you’d enjoy on this list that will definitely fit your budget!
Fitness
1. Group Fitness: There are many yoga classes that are offered for free or at a discount.
- Parliament Hill Yoga: every Wednesday at noon from May 8 to August 28, 2019 (*weather permitting)
- Mom and Baby yoga: Fridays 9:30am at the St Laurent Shopping Centre
Check out the full list, including Full Moon Yoga offered once a month outdoors under moonlight!
2. Enjoy Salsa Dancing and meet new people at City Hall each Wednesday from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. from early July to the end of August. Enjoy a free introductory Latin dance class indoors or outdoors, depending on the weather!
3. The City Of Ottawa offers a number of activities; start with a free Try It fitness pass for three visits to any of the 21 participating facilities. You’ll get access to Weights and cardio machines, Group fitness and Aquafitness classes, Indoor cycling, Squash and racquetball, Public and wave swimming, Public skating and specialized skate. If you enjoy it, a multi-visit pass is an affordable option, providing access to a number of programs to keep you busy and in shape.
4. Algonquin College, University of Ottawa, and Carleton University offer discounted memberships and classes during the summer months. Check with each facility for their individual offer.
The Great Outdoors
5. The Ottawa Outdoor Club organizes daytime, evening, and multi-day, environmentally-sound, outdoor recreational activities year-round at minimal cost for residents of and visitors to the Ottawa and Gatineau communities. Daytime outings are planned for nearly every Saturday and Sunday throughout the year. Weekend trips are typically to destinations in Ontario, Quebec, and the mountain ranges in New York and New England. Membership – $45 Most outdoor activities are open to everyone. If you’re not a member they will ask you for the non-member activity fee, which you can apply fully to your membership fee if you join within a week. (Some caveats: the evening walks and Friday evening skates are free to all; some special outings, such as subsidized bus trips, are available to members only.) If you don’t have a car, we carpool. Join us at the meeting location for the event, and we’ll go from there.
6. Boating In Gatineau Park at Meech Lake, Philippe Lake and La Pêche Lake in Gatineau Park are offer beautiful scenery and affordable rentals canoeing and kayaking, with 3 hour rentals priced at approximately $32. Full price list and equipment at each location available online.
Museums
7. Ottawa has a number of interesting museums that offer free admission:
- Canadian Museum of Nature: Free admission on Thursday nights from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
- National Gallery of Canada: Free admission on Thursday nights from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
- Canadian Museum of History: Free admission on Thursday nights from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.
- Canada Aviation and Space Museum offers free admission between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. each day.
Family Friendly
8. Splashpads are a great option to keep kids busy on a hot summer day; here’s a list of the top 5 locations around the city
9. The Children’s Museum has 30 permanent exhibits that help children explore the world and there are several interactive activities that children can do. Admission is free on Thursdays from 4 to 8 pm. Children under the age of 3 are admitted for free
10. Visit the Canada Agriculture Museum for programs and exhibitions on Canada’s agricultural as well as animals. Admission is free between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. each day, and regularly $7 for adults, $4 for kids (3-14), $6 for students and seniors; $16 for families and children under 3 are free.
Shows
11. Ottawa Family Cinema offers big screen movies at a lower, more affordable price with admission rates between $4-8.
12. Outdoor movies at Centretown Outdoor Film Festival are offered in July and August on Friday and Saturday nights. Check their website for the schedule, locations, and films being screened.
Games
13. The Ottawa Library hosts a monthly game day for adults; play board games or have fun putting a puzzle together. Choose from a variety of classic games/puzzles or bring your own to share.