Frugal Summer Fun | Free Ways to Have Fun in the Good Weatherg

School's out, sun's out...now what? If you're like us summertime means a lot more get-togethers, vacations, day trips, and activities - but how do we make the most of summer without blowing our budgets? On this episode we talk all about frugal ways to enjoy the summer along with some of the pitfalls and misguided tips for saving money during this season.

Sponsors:

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Slip’n Slide: One of the most dangerous and thrilling frugal ways to enjoy summer! Get out that tarp, some soap, and your garden hose and slide down that slippery slope to financial freedom. Slip’n slides - the best way to get there fast and save money while doing it.

Notable Notes:

What the Internet has to say:

This article from Goodbye to Broke lists out 15 summer activities that are both fun and frugal! There's some great ideas in this one - you're bound to find something that piques your interest!

What Jen + Jen have to say:

Be frugal fun at home by enjoying what your area has to offer, including:

• Dinner picnics - host people at your home and make it BYO meat/veggies for the grill!
• Stargazing - use an app or a local school’s planetarium
• Early morning bike rides
• Festivals - check FB and Groupon.com for discounts
• Disc golf - use this website to find locations near you!
• Inner-tubing in a local river/creek - purchase an inflatable tube from walmart and jump in a local river!

More from the Internet:

This article from Trip Savvy provides tips on cutting vacation costs. If you are traveling this summer they've got some great pointers on how to pinch some pennies!

More from Jen + Jill:

• Meal plan for your vacation; include some eating out and some low-cost meals or even cooked meals if your hotel/airbnb has a kitchen
• Stay where breakfast is free
• Spend the day away from attractions - don't plan to go to expensive attractions every day of vacation, but incorporate some days to relax or do as the locals do!
• Utilize coupons! These can be found through groupon, or googling coupons in the area
• Utilize yelp.com for recommendations and even deals when you 'check-in'
• Avoid the 'gimmies' - you know that shot glass is just going to be in next years yard sale for 10cents!
• Search for less expensive alternative to airport parking; usually there are local hotels or parking lots that provide shuttle service to the airport at a significantly lower price to the airport

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Lightning Round

Misguided Tips for a Frugal Summer

1. Visiting Orlando theme parks in late August and September for the cheapest tickets - As someone who lived in Orlando for 5 years, I can tell you, there’s a reason those tickets are so cheap. The average temp is 90 degree, it rains every afternoon, and humidity is 100% all day, everyday. Unless you hate yourself, don’t do it :)

2. Looking for last minute deals - This can be stressful and not always produce the best savings one would hope for!

3. Going to the beach - not everyone lives near a beach! Also - this can get expensive too; between beach tags, parking, food purchases, etc. a day at the beach can end up being much more money than anticipated.

4. Work while you travel for free lodging - while traveling for work can provide opportunity to see new areas, this is not vacation!

Frugal Friends Book Club:

This June we’re reading Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport for book club!

• If you want a free copy, leave us a review on iTunes or Stitcher, screenshot the review and send it to frugalfriendspodcast@gmail.com. We’ll select the winners at the end of the month!

See you next week!