Something to do when you have no money....

Welcome to that fabulous time of year, the Post Holiday Financial Hangover.  By now, the bills are rolling in and you may well be regretting your sentimental generosity and one-more-gift-itis. Relax...  unless you can talk some of those gift recipients into returning your largess, you're just going to have to suck up these December lapses of reason and move on.  I'm not going to bawl you out like a crazed financial planner, either.  We have more important things to consider now that you're Really Flat Broke.... like...

January is a drag and you're probably Bored As Hell.

Aaaaand we got no money. 

Buuuut we're still whining for something to do.

If your city is anything like Chicago, this isn't necessarily a problem.  You may or may not know that the Art Institute is offering FREE ADMISSION to any Illinois resident...  for the ENTIRE month of January.  I stumbled on this little gem of quality info quite by accident and just about fell out of my chair.  Lesson:  Google the words FREE ADMISSION for your area and see what comes up.  Some results may surprise you....  which brings me to my second bit of local intel- some things are actually free ALL THE TIME, and these things can have the added bonus of feeling like a mini vacation.

Spot number one:  the Conservatory at Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago.

Yes, the zoo is free, too, but unlike the Conservatory, the zoo is FREEZING and therefore kind of un fun.  The Conservatory, on the other hand, is room after room of tropicals, koi ponds, ferns, and orchids.  Not only do they fuss it up at the holidays, the Conservatory also hosts a small flower show in the winter months that is a soul-restoring break from the gray awfulness of the Chicago winter.Take a camera and shoot some of the gorgeous blooms... by the way, that screaming you hear is your dry skin happily soaking up the humid air. More info can be found here

http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks/lincoln-park-conservatory/

Spot number two:  The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Complex in Bartlett, IL.  Do you happen to know anything about Hindu or the Indian culture?  I didn't- until I visited here.  The buildings are spectacular examples of hand crafted artistry in limestone, marble, wood, gold and precious stones, and the Mandir itself is like stepping into a shimmering jewelry box.  Docents are happy to explain the history of the compound and its construction, and an underground passageway between the Mandir and adjacent Haveli is lined with fascinating exhibits about Hindu and Indian customs and culture.  Upcoming events and more information about the complex can be found on their website

http://chicago.baps.org/index.htm

Go look around your neighborhood and find something cool to do...