Love the Sun
Well it`s more economical to turnoff your air conditioning unit and get our of the house on those hot days.
( See our post on Air Conditioning Savings for ways to keep your house cool).
Rather than fleeing to the shopping centre for the air conditioned environment and be tempted to buy stuff you might not need, the best thing to do is move the activities outdoors. There are lots of great and inexpensive places to go and things to do.
Patio Furniture
Setup up a nice place in the back yard, in a shady area or under a patio umbrella. Fire up the barbecue and enjoy an economical day alone or with friends and family. I fondly remember playing in the sprinklers as a kid. You don`t have to spend the big bucks and take the kids out to the pool or water slide park.
Other options to save money and still have a great time is pack a lunch and go to the beach, a park or community center. Notice I said `Pack a lunch` Save by avoiding the high priced eateries while out and about.
Things needed for the back yard..
Portable BBQ – Great addition as you can take it with you to parks and beach
Cooler for drinks and food – Not too big so you can take it with you
Portable music player - Load enough to hear and portable for trip away from Yard
Children Entertainment – Pool, slip and slide, croquet, … something to keep them occupied
Hanging at the Beach
If you live near the ocean, a lake or a river. likely your community has a park attached. It is an economical excursion as usually there are no admittance fees. Again pack a lunch in your cooler with drinks and enjoy the day out. You and the family will have a memorable and fun time with minimal expense. As a kid I remember these family outings with fondness.
Things to bring:
Cooler for drinks and food
Sunscreen, hats and sun protective clothing
Umbrella, beach chairs
Towels and blankets