Welcome to Keep It Together with myself and Alexandra! Every third Thursday of the month we share posts all about planning/planners, scrapbooking, Project Life…really anything related to memories and memory keeping! We’d love to have you link up below.
Also, thank you so much (again) to Kelly from Diva Booknerd for making some new meme buttons (to go along with my header!) It’s beautiful!
Planning Out Things to Do
Last year I did a post about how I keep track of possible events I might want to attend. I’m still doing that, and this time of the year is definitely busy. Fall is my favorite season, and Halloween is my favorite holiday, so I love all the fun events that happen during these months.
Apart from keeping track of which events sound good, I’ve also found various ways to find these events in the first place. I know this is different for everyone depending on where you live, but you might have something similar, so it’s worth checking out.
Ways to find fun events in your area #ontheblog #keepittogether Share on XFacebook Events
If you have a Facebook account, then you have this feature. Log into Facebook, look on the left hand side and under Explore, it will say Events. Click that. You should get event recommendations: Events You May Like, Popular With Friends, etc. You can also search by the date or by the “subject” such as Film, Party, Literature, etc.
I like to regularly check my Facebook events. If I find something interesting, then I click Interested so it saves it to my event list (at the very top of Facebook Events are your events). Once I think it’s something that I’m likely to do, then I might put it in my planner as a possible event – or a definite idea if I’ve made official plans. I probably find most of my ideas for things to do via Facebook Events. Super handy!
Deal Sites
Some deals sites are things that people from all over can look at, such as Groupon, while others are more specific to where you live. I love deal sites though because they not only give me ideas on things to do or see, but they also offer it at a discount.
Some of the deal sites I’ve used in the past:
Groupon – if you’re looking for events, check out the tab Things to Do. Also, if you don’t already use Rakuten, feel free to sign up with my affiliate link. You get a certain percent back on all Groupon purchases (win-win all around). Rakuten works for all sorts of websites so it’s worth it – and definitely add the Chrome Extension!
CincySavers – this is for Cincinnati area places, but they have some great deals for all sorts of things, but mostly events (or things to do) and restaurants.
Perkopolis: another Cincinnati area deal site. Their tagline is “save 50% on Cincinnati”. Nice, right?
Local Papers and Websites
CityBeat: this is a free, weekly newspaper for the Cincinnati area. You can also check out their website and find all this information too – but they’re a nice place to look when you want to see what’s happening in the Cincy area.
Cincinnati USA – this is something that most larger cities probably have, so I’d do a Google search. The Cincinnati version lets you search for events and you can narrow things down by the month (or certain dates), family-friendly, free, location, etc. This is for Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
How Do You Plan Out Things To Do?
Do you use any of the sources I shared above, or the equivalent for your city? If not, definitely head to Google and see what you can find for where you live! Since I’ve been doing this, I’ve found all sorts of fun things to do around where I live (it helped inspire Local Tourist) and my friends and family just get to reap the benefits!
Sadly, I don’t plan anything at all. Being the home body that I am, I just would rather stay at home. I had planned on doing more alone time walking and taking pictures of my city but the Summer has come and gone, and nary did I take a single pic. *facepalm*
I used to be really good at finding fun things to do! Now I feel like I just randomly come across things. Facebook events is definitely a good one!
I love to save events on facebook too! I usually tend toward over-booking events, so I try to be really choosy these days. That way I have enough downtime at home to re-charge! 🙂 I had a bit of a timing glitch today, I’m fighting a cold 🙁 but my post is up now. LOL XO – Alexandra
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
I love using Facebook events too. Great resource for finding and keeping track of local events.
Um…I just do them. Or forget to do them lol
Karen @ For What It’s Worth
Facebook can drive me nuts for a number of reasons, but their Events feature might be one of my most used. It is such a great way to keep track of what’s going on in the area!
This summer I started actively seeking things to do, looking for deals etc rather than just winging it. Having options and advance planning made a load of difference and I got a lot squeezed in!
Facebook is a big driver but I also take to the local news pages, read notice boards and have stopped ignoring flyers, lol. I have memberships to various organisations that give me free entry to places and discounts so I look at them a lot…
I love your new header and meme buttons! I need to freshen up my blog. I wonder if Diva Booknerd does them up professionally?
I keep track of vacation planning through Trip Advisor. I can make a board for each trip and add hotels, places to see, and things to do on that board. I’ve never visited Groupon, but I know they supposedly have good deals. I’ll have to check it out. Thanks for the tips!
She might – just shoot her a message on her blog! 🙂
Your posts always encourage me to try things I wouldn’t usually, and get me out of a rut — thank you, Lauren!
Facebook is helpful with this – the yoga studio I attend is on FB so I get to see all their new workshops and they list what classes are taking place a day in advance.
I LOVE Groupon! It’s so handy finding things on there that you’re interested in! Awesome post!
I plan everything in my life…or try to. And hate when I can’t!!! I use FB events to help me find bucket list activities. And we have a monthly free publication in El Paso that lists all of the theater, sports, outdoor, musical, shopping, crafts offerings around town for that month. Lots of times, I sit down with that city publication and my agenda and fill in all of the activities I am interested in attending. Great post!
Man, I earned a lot and should totally get planning more. I have been trying to use the Interested button a little more on Facebook, so it pops up and reminds me about activities I think would be fun with my family.
Way to encourage your readers to check out their local news! It’s amazing how many fascinating local events simply slide under the radar!
I usually plan everything last minute! I’ll see something that looks fun, and then decide to do it. Sometimes it’s spontaneous and the same day, other times it’s a week or so away. I love collecting flyers (there’s always a lot at the library) of upcoming events and activities!
Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? ?
Most of the things I’ve found to do are repeats from prior years or things I couldn’t get to in the past, so I always check out last year’s planner when I get a new one and add those on the sidebar and then see if I can schedule them in. I also use FB Events, and I’m on the mailing list for a few music venues that I like go to so then send me their upcoming schedules since I really like attending concerts. I used to use Groupon and Living Social a lot more, but now I hardly ever look at them. I love this idea for Local Tourist!
I’m not great about planning ahead for events, unless it is like a concert or show I’m going to buy a ticket for. I do know that I have a friend that plans out all the movies he’s going to see and schedules in which friends are going when so I guess I kind of keep up with that. You’re way ahead of me!
I feel like I find out about the coolest events via Facebook’s event tab—taco and food truck festivals and dog costume parties and restaurant weeks. I’d be lost without it! Great list; I need to check out the tab of events on Groupon, too!
Oh yes, Facebook Events is really great when it comes to finding fun things to do!