Learning can be fun and profitable, especially when it is free. Take the time to improve yourself, gain skills, be social and save money as you do it all for free.
Many communities and businesses offer free courses and events to the public. All you have to do is show up. Sometimes you have to register beforehand and let them know that you are coming, but not always.
Here is a list of some of the different types of courses and classes that you may be able to find for free, not far from your own home.
Cooking
William Sonoma offers free cooking and food technique skills at their stores. The classes are usually offer on Sundays and are absolutely free. You do need to register, and be prepared to spend about an hour in class. Professionals will teach you everything from how to dice to how to make an omelet.
As a bonus, you’ll get to sample the food that is being made. Why do they offer the classes? In the hopes that you will purchase whatever products are being used during the lessons.
Home Improvement
Home Depot and Lowes both offer home improvement classes on everything from using drywall to creating planters out of basic materials. You can also often request a particular class, and professionals may even scheduled a one-on-one instruction session with you, all for free.
Both stores also offer workshops for children on Saturdays. Kids can use real kid-sized tools to make fun crafts, from toy catapults to birdhouses. You can register your kids online officially, but I’ve never known these stores to turn away drop in students.
Everything Under the Sun
For everything under the sun, including computer instruction, art history, novel writing, Bible study, architecture, gardening and more, check out opportunities at a local level. Area community centers, senior centers, libraries and churches are known for offering free classes and courses in a number of different disciplines.