BankerGirl

Posted by Heidi on June 24th, 2008 in frugal

The farmers’ market is easily my favorite form of free entertainment.  Barring that, here is my list of free or cheap summer activities.

1. Go for a bike ride

I have already written about “our loop” - and riding is a great way to have fun while getting some exercise.

2. Host a card party

When I was really young, my parents were in a card club.  It consisted of six couples who got together on a monthly basis to eat (classic 70’s party food - I distinctly remember little smokies and bacon-wrapped water chestnuts), drink (my father would make a punch out of whatever happened to be in the liquor cabinet), and play 500. 

You don’t need to put on a big spread or know how to play bridge and Texas hold ‘em to host a card party.  You can potluck it (my parents often did this) and play blackjack or king’s corners.  

Not interested in a big gathering?  You can have a party of two and play cribbage or war.

3. Consider camping

To be honest, I’m not much of a camper - I very much enjoy sleeping on a real mattress  - but every once in awhile we’ll pack up Matt’s camping trunk and throw the sleeping bags in the car and spend a night under the stars (actually, we sleep in a tent, but you get the idea).  My favorite part is the campfire cooking.  And being back in my own bed the next night.

4. Meet the neighbors

I live in a groovy little neighborhood where people are always planning fun, free activities that are open to the public.  Saturday nights bring free movies in the park or live music on main street.  During weeknights there is adult four-square tourney at the junior high school playground, or if you’re not the athletic type, you can enjoy a wine tasting at the locally-owned bookstore.

5. Hit happy hour

Back in my college days, I knew which restaurant or bar had the best drink specials and the tastiest free food.  In my old age, I forgot about how much fun (and how inexpensive!) a Friday night happy hour can be.  Now I work with some recent college grads that have the inside scoop on where to score the good deals - I feel like I’m 21 again and am reliving my glory days on the cheap.

6. Hold a Wii tournament

I’ll be the first to admit that a Wii isn’t exactly a frugal purchase, but if you already have one - you should use it!  It’s the perfect thing to pull out on a rainy or humid summer’s day.  My family enjoys the tennis and bowling games that come with the console - and it’s a riot watching how competitive my brothers-in-law become with their little Mii’s. 

7. Go house hunting

I’m sure that realtors out there are who are less than thrilled by this suggestion, but Matt and I are continually on the look-out for our perfect home (by “perfect” I mean one in our current neighborhood with a flat driveway, two-car garage, and bigger kitchen - for about the same price as our current house).   We realize that our chances of finding such a place are highly unlikely, but that doesn’t stop us for spending the occasional Sunday afternoon “lookie-looing” just in case.

8. Take a hike

There is a state part about an hour from our house that has beautiful scenery, challenging trails, and lots of wildlife.  On those rare weekend afternoons when we have no plan, we’ll pack a picnic and bring the dog for an afternoon of walking along the scenic cliffs.

Now that summer is upon us, what are your suggestions for entertaining on the cheap?

Stumble it!