{"id":10400,"date":"2023-05-18T10:08:26","date_gmt":"2023-05-18T14:08:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ifintechworld.com\/news\/if-money-is-tight-tap-into-these-free-or-cheap-ways-to-maximize-your-summer-fun\/"},"modified":"2023-05-18T10:08:27","modified_gmt":"2023-05-18T14:08:27","slug":"if-money-is-tight-tap-into-these-free-or-cheap-ways-to-maximize-your-summer-fun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ifintechworld.com\/?p=10400","title":{"rendered":"If money is tight, tap into these free or cheap ways to maximize your summer fun"},"content":{"rendered":"
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This <\/em>article<\/em> is reprinted by permission from <\/em>NerdWallet<\/em>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

With layoffs, bank closures and inflation, financial tensions remain high for many Americans heading into the summer. In a fall 2022\u00a0survey\u00a0conducted by The Harris Poll for the American Psychological Association, 83% of adults said inflation was a source of stress, and 56% said they and\/or their family had to make different choices in the last month because they didn\u2019t have enough money.<\/p>\n

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Making tough money choices is stressful, and sacrificing \u201cwants\u201d to afford the \u201cneeds\u201d can be disappointing. But, if you\u2019re questioning the financial impact of your summer plans or they have suddenly become out of reach, there are still ways to have fun,\u00a0save money\u00a0and put yourself in a better place for next year.<\/p>\n

Related:<\/strong> For many Americans, \u2018revenge travel\u2019 may become \u2018regret travel\u2019<\/p>\n

Pivot to a positive mindset<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In the face of canceled summer plans, Rob Bertman, a family budgeting expert and certified financial planner in Missouri, suggests flipping your mindset from disappointment to opportunity. Use the moment to talk about money decisions with your partner or kids.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s always good for kids to see that their parents are trying to learn and get better,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

With children, Bertman says to avoid language like \u201cwe can\u2019t afford it\u201d or \u201cit\u2019s too expensive\u201d because that can lead to a scarcity mindset. Instead, he suggests reframing the difficult choice as one that\u00a0benefits the family\u00a0in the long run.<\/p>\n

The key to this attitude shift is not losing sight of your priorities. What you\u2019re looking for, ultimately, is to make memories with people you love. While vacations seem primed for those frame-worthy moments, sometimes the things that matter most happen in your own backyard.<\/p>\n

See<\/strong>: 12 best American road trips<\/p>\n

Reduce the cost of activities<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Summer is prime time for free events, but you\u2019ll have to put in a little work to find cheap events in your area. Even still, having things to look forward to on your calendar can be a big emotional lift.<\/p>\n

A membership to a zoo, park, aquarium or museum could pay off in multiple visits all summer long. In addition, it\u2019s a great way to get out of the house and enjoy the weather \u2014 or escape the heat, depending on where you live.<\/p>\n

If a membership is too pricey, you might have a workaround in your wallet. For example, Bank of America
\n BAC,
\n -1.33%<\/bg-quote>
\n credit card holders are eligible for the Museums on Us program, which provides free general admission to over 225 cultural centers across the country on the first full weekend of each month.<\/strong><\/p>\n

AAA members can get discounted tickets to concerts, movies, sporting events and amusement parks. And don\u2019t forget your local library. Some offer free \u201cexperience passes\u201d to gardens, museums, zoos and parks.<\/p>\n

Once you pick an activity, cut costs by bringing your own food. You\u2019ll save money on that last-minute drive-through meal or overpriced snack. When dining out, look for places where you can BYOB because alcoholic drinks can sometimes double the bill.<\/p>\n

If you still want to travel, consider someplace close or split the cost with family or friends. \u201cThe easiest thing to do is treat your city or town like you\u2019re a tourist,\u201d Bertman says. Drop a pin or draw a circle around your town and find drivable destinations to explore, he suggests.<\/p>\n

A vacation rental that was $3,000 might suddenly become affordable if you\u2019re paying only $1,500. Grandparents might be happy to join in to make family memories \u2014 and you might even get a date night out of it.<\/p>\n

Check out: <\/strong>It\u2019s one of the latest trends in camping\u2014why drive an RV when you can have it delivered?<\/p>\n

Set yourself up for next summer<\/strong><\/h2>\n