10 Economical Ways to Enjoy the Summer

The long days of summer are finally here. Plan now to make the most of them before they’re gone! Consider the following economical ideas to make this a year to remember.

1. Hit the beach!
If you live within driving distance of the beach, pack your lunch, sunscreen and floaties for the kids and plan to spend part of the day. Make sure to bring a camera to capture the fun-in-the-sun moments. Then, take a lazy drive along the coast and soak in the sites. Return home that evening instead of paying to spend the night at a hotel.

2. Help someone.
Make a list of three people that you can help with resources you already have – whether it be mowing a yard for a widow or making dinner for a new mother – and let your family choose which good deed to do first.

3. Stay up all night!
Pick a rainy Friday night and get the girls or guys together for a movie marathon. Add popcorn, sodas and big floor pillows and you’re set.

4. Declutter.
Use your weekends to declutter your house and reorganize. Plan a yard sale or contribute your castoffs to a local charity like Goodwill.

5. Get in shape!
Take advantage of the warm temperatures and try a new exercise hobby like biking, running or hiking at a local nature reserve.

6. Keep it classy.
Look into local community college adult education offerings and consider a summer class. Rates are lower and affordable. A foreign language, gardening or even computer classes can be just what you need to revitalize your mind. Check your local library for free class offerings.

7. The exchange game.
Play host to a foreign exchange student, or let a local college student (or someone else in need) stay in a room in your home. Some organizations offer stipends to offset your costs.

8. Create a book club.
Invite some friends to do a special reading group together just for the summer. This will keep everyone’s interest high throughout the summer. Rent a popular book that your local libraries will have multiple copies of.

9. Berry good.
Visit your local farmer’s market on a Saturday morning for the best, most beautiful locally grown produce you’ll see all year (and the cheapest). Make sure to pick up some extra to freeze and enjoy later. (To freeze them without sticking together, freeze them for an hour on a baking sheet, just far enough apart not to touch. Use bar pan with a little bit of a lip around it to keep the berries from rolling off in transit. Once they’re frozen, put them in a gallon size freezer bag and store in the freezer.)

10. Take a “staycation.”
It’s a new word to describe staying at home on your time off instead of going away and staying at a hotel. But it can still be vacation! Visit your local tourist spots, sleep in late and fix your favorite foods – pancakes, anyone?