Here's the deal: my son will be attending camp at his preschool this summer, six hours a day for two months. Because gas prices are so damn high, my daughter and I will not be able to drive back to our house and will be stuck in another town for six hours every day. It was either drive back and forth twice each day or pay the mortgage, but I like my house. I'm silly like that.
My goal this summer is to line up cheap activities for the two of us. I thought I'd chronicle my findings to let you guys know how to have thrifty fun this summer. Most of the things I tell you will be common sense crap (like the one below), but I believe I have one or two lessons that might be new to you.
Lesson One: Brown Bag It
The easiest way to go broke is to eat out. Even if you hit the fast food joints, a combo for yourself and a happy meal for the kid will set you back ten bucks.You can pack a delicious and nutritious lunch for the two of you for less than the cost of a happy meal. But where the hell do you go to eat your lunch?
Sure, you can go to a nice park and have an idyllic picnic lunch but there are several problems with that scenario:
- It's like 100,000 degrees out there.
- BUGS!
- The restroom facilities usually leave something to be desired.
- Did I mention it's hotter than the sun? And the BUGS!
Yeah, you'll get some funny looks from the rent-a-cops and the custodian dude who has to clean the trays, but there's nothing they can do to you. As long as you're not brandishing a weapon, cigarette, pet, or a skateboard, you're in the clear. Pick a table and enjoy your lunch! Just ignore the packs of teenagers that have nothing better to do on a summer day than to sneer at you. They're just a big mess of studded belts and acne, so screw 'em.
I know what you're thinking: you can eat at the food court for free. While I agree that a lap around the food court sample stations followed by a drink at the water fountain will result in a full tummy, I don't believe your child's pediatrician would endorse a Bourbon chicken and Cinnabon diet.
Say it loud! I'm cheap and I'm proud!
Song of the day: Making Love Out Of Nothing At All by Air Supply
