How do you balance SuperFrugality and Summer Fun?

[annsteere]

I don't want to get to Fall and think "we didn't spend much money, but we didn't have any fun this summer and now winter is coming again."

How do YOU determine your balance between having some summer fun and saving money?

Sometimes it feels like what we really do is either
1) this option is "a great price" right now so let's do it
2) we can't stand going another day without some fun so let's just do the next fun thing that comes along
3) someone else made the choice and we follow

That can mean we go out to dinner because we have a coupon rather than going to a concert in the park at full price, even when the concert would cost the same as the dinner and be a better outing for us. Or, our choices are swung by what family or friends decide. KWIM?

 

[jjsmom]

I'm not a financial expert, but I know what you're talking about. Despite several financial setbacks, we've had ten years of great summers. I can share some suggestions.

1. First, set a budget. How much disposable cash do you have? Cash only, no credit cards unless you can pay it off in full.

2. As a family, ask everyone what they would like to do/accomplish before they go back to school. Is it an amusement park, a WDW vacation, the beach, local fairs, carnivals, road trips, picnics, dinners out 3 times a week, a stay-cation? Take everyone's suggestion and eliminate the ones that are out of reach, and if kids are old enough to understand, explain why.

3. Narrow your choices and have a family vote.
4. Once you and family have decided, look for ways to cut costs for those outings. Example: a. pack as much food as possible
b. use gasbuddy.com to find the cheapest gas prices
c. encourage older kids to earn their own spending money
d. use search engines to find cheapest, most complete, lodging
e. book lodging with at least SOME kitchen facilities to save money on food
f. look for coupon/vacation books for that area, such as the Sunny Day Guide which publishes coupon books for east coast beach resorts.
g. check facebook pages for discounts on attractions
h. for other events, call the organization direct and ask if they offer discount nights, matinee, locals, childrens discount

Sorry this is long, I hope it helps.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Know what is out there so you can make the best choices. Search for local parks where they have free entertainment. Look for free museums and festivals. Set ground rules on keeping free things free. The free kids summer movies can get expensive quickly if you buy pop corn and drinks every time.Free concert in the park can cost a lot of you buy dinner out before you go.

Look into bigger investments. A pool membership can provide tons of Summer entertainment even though it cost more at one time. We figured our Club dues pay for themselves by early June.

Stock up on fun summer treats at home, Have a freezer full of ice cream treats to avoid running for ice cream so often. Have glow sticks and sparklers for a fun free night at home.

Decide how you vacation money will be spent. WE often vacation off season so we do not travel a lot during summer but always plan at least a long week-end away to hold us over.

So many ways to have fun without spending a lot of money!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I know what you mean when Summer comes to an end you don't want to feel as though you did not enjoy the nice weather.


Sign up for Groupons emails they often have great activities/restaraunt deals in your home town for about 1/2 price.

We plan one fun event every month. Even if its just a day car trip. We live in Cleveland but like the Columbus and Toledo zoo. So we pack the cooler and hit the road.

If you want an over night trip I would use priceline for last minute hotel deals that are cheap.

We also have a vacation savings acct. DH has a set amt auto deposited to the acct every payday. What is good about that acct is the we can use it for fun or if we get in a pinch and need the money for something else we have full access to this acct. Makes taking trips or doing fun things seem no so bad.

Google events in your hometown and see what is happening that would interest you.

 

[pigletto]

I have been saying almost every day this summer that I LOVE summer because I don't have to chose between fun and money.
I have two kids (7 and 14). Some things are just fun for ds, other things are more fun for all of us. Here's some ideas that we've been doing.. not all are free but many are.

1. Swimming! Luckily both sets of grandparents have pools but our community pool is also fairly cheap.

2. Library! Ours does a summer reading club with prizes and a party at the end.

3. Library programs.. there is something every single day in our small town.DS is in Yoga, Story time, and a Craft Group. DD is doing the babysitting course.

4. Hikes! We have so many beautiful natural areas around that we love to go exploring

5. Family movie night. We download something or hit the library up for a movie, eat dinner in front of the movie (rare treat.. usually eat at the table)

6. Board Game nights

7. DS is in tennis. This was 120 dollars.. but for three mornings a week all summer!

8. Picnics

9. Get togethers with friends, sleepovers, etc.

10. Bike rides.

11. Sprinkler time. Sometimes the lawn needs watering so I make it a combined activity

12. Movies. Matinees and Tuesdays are cheaper. The Drive in is the cheapest.

13. If we take a day trip (going to a Childrens Museum next week) we pack a lunch, and make sure to check out websites for coupons. There are sooooo many places with kids free offers.

This is easy for us as we have a big Disney trip coming up and want to save our pennies for this. I just wanted to list some ideas for you to get started with. I find if I have all these plans ahead of time, then I don't feel tempted to run out and spend money on something because we're bored.
Planning seems to be the key for us.

 

[TinknBellesMom]

What we typically do is look for as many free summer time fun activities as we can. This summer for us it's swimming at my in-law's pool, free craft activities at the library, kids bowl free, play dates (while the Mom's scrapbook) with friends once a week, and playing on the slip and slide or sprinklers.

Then we typically do paid for activities once or twice a month. Usually we get passes to the local amusement/water park, but I decided against it this year b/c of the baby. We go to drive in movies, regular movies (our local movie theatre plays free older movies in the summers). Sometimes it's nice just going to McDonald's to get ice cream and letting the kids play in the play area for a while.

I'd look around and see what kind of free activities your area has.

 

[sk!mom]

I think that it is all about perspective. My DH just said last night, "this is our best Summer ever!" and we haven't even been on vacation yet. That's still 3 weeks away.

We really appreciate the slower pace and relaxed schedule of Summer. Time to relax on the porch with a glass of wine in the evening. I'm a teacher and off in the Summer, so it's a treat for us to have lunch at home together most days. We're enjoying long gym workouts when DH gets off several days a week. We've actually tried several classes at the gym. We pay for the gym year round but during the school year we're typically running in there for a rushed workout or having to skip it altogether.

When my kids were young, there were a lot of sleepovers and lazy relaxed days at the pool club. We joined a pool club for years. At the end, it was around $400 for the Summer but it was daily entertainment and weekend cookouts. Now DD15 is gone for 6 weeks of the Summer (1 Mission trip and 5 weeks of camp) so we don't join anymore and DH and I are practicing for an empty nest.

There's a great local restaurant that has live music 5 nights a week with no cover. We usually head there after dinner at least once a week to relax in their courtyard and listen to the music. We drink a couple of beers, throw a few bucks in the band's tip jar, and for around $20 we have a great night out. Last weekend we went to a couple of movie matinees. Afternoon pricing and without kids there's no temptation to hit up the concessions.

Just last night, we met at the gym for a couple of hours, came home, sipped wine and cooked dinner together, and then watched a Netflix movie. Those kind of nights have DH calling it the "best Summer." But as I said it's perspective. We would never have such a relaxed Thursday night during the school year.

After dropping DD at the airport a couple of weeks ago, DH and I drove home by way of a nearby (couple of hours) wine making area. We visited several wineries, did the tastings, and then walked around and had a German dinner in a cute quaint town. We spent maybe a $100 but it was a fun day.

 

[MinnieForMe]

We are blessed to have a town beach/lake ($20 for the season). We adore the ocean so at $8.00 a car, we can have a cheap day at the beach as long as we bring our own lunch!

We also do town sponsored "Music on the Green" and library programs.

 

[annsteere]

I'm not a financial expert, but I know what you're talking about. Despite several financial setbacks, we've had ten years of great summers. I can share some suggestions.

1. First, set a budget. How much disposable cash do you have? Cash only, no credit cards unless you can pay it off in full.


Sorry this is long, I hope it helps.

Such a basic idea, but the most helpful in the bunch for me so far. (I'm pretty good at creative spending, stretching the buck).

We have spent almost zero so far. DH and I need to sit down and decide together what we DO want to allot to entertainment this summer. Once we get that number, regardless of its size, we should be able to figure out how to spend it with maximum bang for the buck. I think we just got overly into "don't spend any money we don't need to" and then even using our weekly allowance money felt like an impulsive/poor decision.

Thanks to all of you who posted ideas about how you have frugal fun. Tonight I'm seeing a live professional theater production for free in return for being a volunteer usher.

 

[jjsmom]

BTW!! For anyone considering a last minute vacation rental, phone the rental/realtor agency direct and ask for price cuts on their available rental pool. A few minutes on the phone may yield a savings of several hundred $$$. Do not call on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. These are rental check in/out days and they will blow you off.

Here's why. Summer rental weekly prices are set in the fall/early winter based on several factors too numerous too explain. Prices are set by and agreed between the owner and rental agency. The weekly rates are published in splashy, colorful catalogs sent out in late winter when everyone is clammering for summer. Not all of these properties get rented.

In most cases, the owner will allow a last minute markdown during peak if their property is vacant a particular week. Some will allow a partial week rental. Remember, the owner still has to pay property taxes, condo/maintenance fees, cleaning contracts, and commission to the rental agency (agents may "plead" with the owner so they can get paid too), no matter what. Something is better than nothing and they may be willing to deal.

 

[crazelion]

Free stuff do your city. We have free concerts every Friday night in the park.

Our city a nine music Festival called riverbend and kids under 11 get free. I got my pin in the winter when was 24.00 dollars. Yes that is for the whole nine day festival.

go to the lake and take lunch with you/

Last tip is found other ways to pay for trips. I use reward sites to pay for extras.

 

[PHXscuba]

Phoenix is hard in the summer because it is so hot and everyone is competing for the same few free and indoor activities. But I think we still come out ahead on summer vs. school-year expenses.

1. Our "summer trip" was to my parents' house in California. Free lodging and grandma cooking keeps it cheap (and cool). We did a few moderate-price activities, but I remind the kids we're saving for Disney World instead of spending a day at Six Flags or similar.

2. I rent movies using free codes from Blockbuster Express or trade with my sister/friends. Fresh new DVDs! I used cereal-points coupons to see Cars 2 for free. My sister gives me her Summer Movies tickets for the weeks she is gone.

3. I never, ever head out the door to an activity without checking online for a coupon or discount. Planning a little farther in advance sometimes nets us a deal for going on a certain day or time.

4. I don't sign my kids up for many camps/activities in the summer. We go so hard during the year with dance, sports, msuic, etc., that it's nice to take a mental and financial break during the summer.

5. We have lots of playdates (free) during the summer because they are so hard to set up during the year with busy schedules. They play at our house and swim in our pool -- I don't feel like we have to take them all somewhere.

6. When I want to spend one-on-one time (4 kids) I take one child with me to run errands, especially if they need something like shoes or a party gift. Maybe we get a slushy drink while we're out.

I used to be one of those moms who felt like she had to fill every moment of the summer with Fun! Education! Entertainment! ... Honestly, I've backed off a lot the last couple summers and we've all been a lot happier. I want my kids to get a little bored and curl up with a book.

For DH and I, we're really boring. We use the time to unwind from lots of our school-year obligations and just go out to dinner once in a while.

PHXscuba

 

[kkmcan]

We also are in Arizona and I get so envious of the people who can enjoy the outdoors during the summer. It's just too freaking hot here. We went to a birthday party at a park last week and almost died- it was 117 degrees!

We've been to the movies a couple of times so far, we haven't mini golfed or bowled yet so that will be as the summer winds down, I guess.

We've had friends over for dinner and swimming, a couple of sleepovers and a few trips to get icecream or slushies.

DD flew to Denver to stay with inlaws for a weekend, and DS did the UofA basketball camp. So they've had plenty of fun so far.

We are heading over to San Diego next week for a couple of nights- no Sea World, or Zoo. Just fun on the beach doing some boogie boarding and nighttime bonfires.

 

[JamesMom]

Might not be 'superfrugal' but I think we are getting a great value this summer. Kids know that we bring our own snacks, food and rarely buy out.

Cub Scout Day Camp - all day M-F for one week $80 per boy includes shirt, hat. $160 total.
Swimming - HOA has pool, Nana & Grandpa have a pool, gym membership has indoor/outdoor water slides. Free (since we use membership year round).20 Visit each at least weekly.
Free kids bowling (shoes included). I have shoes so that is $4 for one game. 8 times (weekly)= $32.
Roller Skating - own skates so $18 an afternoon about 3 times this summer - $60
Members of the Science Museum - make around 4-6 trips a year for $100.
Members of Legoland - joined in March and have been 6 times already for $150 for the year.
Movies - bought a movie card - 10 movies $15. Add popcorn and loyaty cup refil - $6 per visit for 3 people = $50 for the 6 movies we will see.
June - 8 day road trip to Sea World (4 days, 3 nights hotel) and Corpus to visit family/beach/Aquaraium ~$1,200 including food, gas, souvies & tickets.
August - 3 night/ 4 day trip to Great Wolf Lodge - bring own food, Magic Quest games for 2, bought on buy 2 nights, get 1 free special in a bunk bed suite ~$ 900.

Add a couple of hundred for books, workbooks & art supplies our summer vacations & fun total less than $3,000. Usually we send the kids to day camp for 3 weeks at our gym, but we are saving the $900 this year to pay bills. The kids haven't missed it yet.

 

[mikkishelles]

My kids are enrolled in several free city parks programs. They are taking swimming lessons, tennis lessons, golf lessons and track lessons, all free, so they have something to do Mon-Fri.

We also purchased Great Adventure/Hurricane Harbor season passes, so after lessons or on weekends, we can head there.($480 incl. parking)

We also purchased the WWF family membership, which includes the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo and NY Aquarium ($159)


Some days, we just do day trips to parks and beaches. We bring our own food and drinks, so no additional cost.

Bike riding is also another fun thing we love to do as a family.

We go once a week to the library and have free bowling passes for the kids all summer.

We are going up to Niagara Falls for a few days in the end of August, and I am saving up for a two week trip to WDW/Universal, so I always have to find things as cheap as I can. It kills me to pay retail for anything.

 

[Mom2Ben02]

I work part-time, but every single day we manage to do something fun and cheap. We have been to the subdivision pool almost every single day this summer. It isn't free, but I have to pay my association fee if we use it or not. It is nice to go for an hour after dinner to swim and relax.

We have a membership to the zoo, and my sis has one to the arboretum. If she wants to go to the zoo, we take her, and vice-versa. So - $100/year for essentially two memberships.

We go to everything free we can - movies in the park, playdates at friends' houses, bonfires in the yard. Everything is more fun in the summer. We just saw Shrek, which the kids have seen a million times. However, play it outside on a screen and sit on a blanket, and it is all new again. One of my favorite memories from my childhood is picking up a pizza, driving downtown Chicago and sitting by the lake to eat it. Same old pizza, new setting = fun.

The library has a reading program where the kids can earn minor league baseball tickets. If we are careful to eat before we leave, and pack a few snacks, it will be a free night. We are planning to go on fireworks night

Facebook is a great tool, as well - I found out about a fest we are going to today from a post. A free ride on the world's longest slip-n-slide sounds like good times to me.