Man of the House

So little money, so much you can do

While waiting for the economic storm to pass, try these fun (and mostly cheap) activities.

By Chris Erskine

October 18, 2008

I'M NOT sure what everyone means by "hunkering down," though I suspect there's no nudity involved. Hunkering down sounds sort of appealing, though. Like something you'd do in slippers and an old sweat shirt. And pants, of course. Never forget the pants.

I suppose you could hunker up, but you'd be defying all the trends. Most people are hunkering down these days, which I think means lying low and saving your pennies in tough times.

Chris Erskine
Bio | E-mail | Recent columns

With that in mind, here are some penny-pinching activities to do while hunkering down. Some, in fact, are free.

-- Have a hot flash.

-- Have a cold flash.

-- Have a cash flash. (I just had two, minutes apart.)

-- Watch an old episode of "MASH" and try not to laugh.

-- Watch a new episode of Kobe Bryant and try not to cheer.

-- Pour some coffee.

-- Chop some wood.

-- Thumb through old photos.

-- Organize the 5,500 digital files on your hard drive.

-- Dig out your high school yearbooks.

-- Hold a yearbook party.

-- Play soccer in the park. (Tip: three players, three different goals.)