Summer is a glorious season! A season for days in the sun, pool time, beach trips, summer shopping, late night ice cream runs, trips to the movies and more! While all of these sound like the perfect summer, they also sound super expensive! That's why this summer I am tackling this list of ideas and tips for summer activities that won't break the bank!

1. Backyard camping means you are killing the staycation game. Pack a small bag, set up your tent, and put new batteries in your flashlight because this night is about to get fun and adventurous. Swap your bedroom ceiling for a starry night and you will feel as if you are on camping vacation away from home. Even build a campfire, roast hot dogs, make s'mores, and tell scary stories with dad for all the nostalgic feels!

2. Attend a parade/festival will be sure to keep things interesting! I love both of these events because there is always something and someone new to learn and appreciate. Find a nearby Independence Day Parade or Hot Air Balloon Festival and jot it down on your calendar! Whether you go with your friends or your kids, parades, and festivals are the perfect economically friendly activity. Plus, you might even snag some fun souvenirs and cotton candy!

3. Travel with AirbnB is the new way to vacay. Save money on expensive hotels with even bigger rooms! What makes Airbnb so special, is that there are the cutest and most diverse places to stay. Want a relaxing weekend getaway in a secluded treehouse? Or a road-trip in a Malibu-style AirSteam? Or even live like a Parisian in a studio apartment with a view of the Eiffel Tower? Airbnb has it all! Get a taste of authentic culture and reasonable traveling this summer.

4. Free/Reduced Movies are nothing short of perfect. Movie theatres often like to reward their community in the summertime with free or reduced movies, so if you have not checked in with your local theatre, hop on it! While these movies are available on DVD, there is nothing more exciting than heading to a movie theatre to see your favorite Pixar movie on the big screen with your favorite candy without making your wallet cringe.

5. Homemade Pizza & Movie Night for the win! Save money on pizza deliveries and instead, spend quality time cooking and decorating pizza with your loved ones. Head to the grocery store and buy your favorite pizza toppings, popcorn, movie candy and pop in your go-to summer movie, grab your fuzzy blanket, and curl up for a cozy night in!

6. Picnic in the Park has "quaint summer" written all over it! There is something about heading to the park with my family and friends for lunch and games that makes me want to squeal and jump up and down! This picnic can include your usual sandwich from your favorite deli or a homemade PB&J, picnic blanket or picnic table, neighborhood park or community park. Whatever your picnic in the park looks like, it is a great opportunity to switch up your lunch scenery for a small price point!

7. Backyard Waterpark can't get any more summery. Set out your garden sprinklers and turn on your water hose! Playing in the sprinklers was one of my favorite things to do as a kid. Now that I'm an adult, who says I can't? Have some friends over for an old-fashioned water balloon fight or slip-n-slide party!

8. Ice Cream Fridays will chill your bank nerves and the summer heat! A spontaneous trip out of the house for ice cream always gets me in the summer spirit and keeps my taste buds craving cold, delicious ice cream! Ice cream screams summer, so be sure to treat your self!



9. Book your vacations early will put you ahead of the game and save you from those late fees and last-minute charges. The closer you are to your departure date, the less money you will save, so reserve your rooms, flights, and tours in advance! There are also great travel apps that are designed to make your trip planning and traveling smooth — such as, Dealray, Roomer, and AutoSlash. Stay up to date with prices and fees so that you will never miss a great deal! 

10. A trip to the Humane Society makes me feel so warm and fulfilled (peep to the picture below for the adorable puppy I saw at my last humane society visit 😍). Taking time out of my busy summer schedule to volunteer at a non-profit and love on others is the best medicine; it always gets my heart in the right place. While summer is a great time to relax and catch up on our lives, it is also a time where we can give back to the community, put others needs above our own, and take care of those in need when we typically might not.

Enjoying all the perks of summertime while also keeping your finances in check is a challenge for us all. But with a combination of creativity and having an adventurous mindset, you can make your summer wildly happy for you and your bank!

What are your ideas and tips for a summer on a budget? Let us know in the comments!

- Ely