Posted on March 18, 2009 at 9:31 am What are a few things you are doing in order to have fun with the kids this summer and NOT go broke?  A few of my ideas... We usually purchase an annual pass to our state park for $18.  We can take the kids out there everyday and let them swim.  We usually pack a lunch, sometimes grill out and take a hike on the trails.  The park is 2 miles from our house so this is a great thing and the kids love it. Visit the city park - there's always a bunch of kids from school at the city park so we take the kids up there and they are able to play with their friends for a few hours. Vacation Bible School - all the churches in town put together VBS for 2 weeks in the summer.  It is free and the kids have fun.  They meet new friends, learn songs, do crafts, win prizes and get a snack. Movie Theatre - our local theatre usually sponsors a kids program where the kids can pay $.25 admission to watch a movie at the theatre. Drive In Movies - if there is a movie we really want to see as a family, we go to the drive in.  Admission is $10/carload.  We pack drinks and snacks to take with us.  

Posted on March 21, 2009 at 1:53 pm Something my kids have done this week - they walked down the the creek and found some rocks (FREE!), washed them and painted them.  I now have some cute little lady bug rocks to put in my flower garden this summer.

Posted on March 21, 2009 at 10:12 pm Here are some suggestions:1.Hide in the boot of the car when you go to drive ins and save up to 50%( one person has to drive the car in).2. Work at a movie theater and get paid to watch movies!3. Work at a theme park and let your family in free!

Posted on March 21, 2009 at 10:30 pm We have a dollar movie theater here, which is pretty awesome! And obviously cheap. On Tuesdays they even have $1 popcorn and drinks. I also love going to the zoo. It's fairly cheap. And if you live near one you can get an annual family pass which will really save you some money!

Posted on March 22, 2009 at 9:36 am Has anyone made bird feeders with your kids.  I just found online how to spread peanut butter on pine cones and then roll them in bird seed and hang from the tree.  I think I will have the kids do this also as they love having birds around.

Posted on March 22, 2009 at 9:42 am Hey marmis - I make those with my students each year. They love spreading the PB on the pinecone and then sprinkling on the bird seed. It's even more fun going out to find trees to hang them on! Great idea!

Posted on March 22, 2009 at 1:30 pm these are for adults mainly - going to beach/park with a hamper- camping out for a night with a group of friends, food, protable cd player-  window shopping (without actually buying, usually)- going to local sights- going to aquariums and free places- going to art museums (if you're interested in that) as many exhibitions are free

Posted on March 22, 2009 at 3:18 pm One should explore their own local area. I live near a beach, a forest and many parks, so I am lucky as on a nice day I go and have a picnic at the beach or forest. Children love getting into the sea or alternatively exploring a forest or playing at a park. Not enough time nowadays is spent enjoying our natural surroundings.

Posted on March 22, 2009 at 8:54 pm I need to think of fun summer dates for my boyfriend and I. Neither of us are TOO much in debt at the moment, and we both have well paying jobs, but we want to be sure that we don't fall too much in debt. My debt is worse than my boyfriends, so I feel like it is my place to think of things to do that don't cost us much money. A lot of nights when he is on his way home from work I will whip up a small meal, light some candles, and run a bubble bath for us, complete with music. I have been thinking A LOT about planning a picnic for the two of us when it's nicer out. A surprise picnic would be even better!Last summer we bought balloons and had a balloon fight all day. It only cost us a few dollars and the fun lasted most of the day. You could also spend the day at the beach. Go on walks. Sight see. You would be amazed at what is in your own city. I lucked out, I live in a GREAT city!

Posted on March 23, 2009 at 7:00 am Nice ideas here. Thanks all to share them with us. Unfortunately I never go to theater or paid park. When I have a free moment I work online and if I have vacation then work for my family. When other of my office collegues are at home, I am here trying to earn. Else more?