Summertime Frugal Activities for the Teen Set

There are some great lists of fun ideas of things to do with the kids over the summer out there. My son, Chandler, recently passed his driver's test (that is him above - please send help, he thinks he is 30) and is bemoaning how unfair it is that we make him pay for his own insurance and gas. Please don't send emails about how awful I am - he has already made it clear that he is the ONLY teenager to have to pay for such things. Ever. So sad for him, isn't it? For Chandler, and all those … [Read more...]

Things to Consider Before Buying an Outdoor Pool

By Justin Weinger 2 Comments

Just because a store has a small above-ground pool advertised for $300 (many will cost MUCH more than this) and that sounds like a good price for a summer of entertainment, doesn't mean it will be a good financial decision for your family or the most environmentally friendly one. There are some important things to consider before buying an outdoor pool this summer. Enviromental Considerations How many gallons of water does it take to fill? How much electricity will it take to … [Read more...]

Beat the Heat the Frugal Way

By Justin Weinger 2 Comments

Here in Minnesota, we have not been spared from the hot, hot weather the whole country has been dealing with this year. I don't know about you, but this MN girl has a tough time with the heat. I am always on the look out for a new idea of how to keep cool and save money while doing it. Here are some of my favorite ways to beat the heat and save a few bucks in the meantime. Things you can do right now: Get wet. Somehow it is all more bearable when you are at the beach (lake or ocean), … [Read more...]

Save Money, Be Green & Stay Cool This Summer

By Justin Weinger 1 Comment

photo credit: galinast You don't need to completely turn off your air conditioning to save some money or buy a new energy efficient air conditioner. With a few changes you can still stay cool and keep some extra money in your pocket for treats at the pool. The first thing I want you to consider is switching out your light bulbs to CFLs. Not only do CFLs last longer and save you money on your electrical bill, but they put off MUCH less heat than incandescent bulbs. Incandescent bulbs … [Read more...]

Frugal Summer Activities to Do with Kids

By Justin Weinger Leave a Comment

When you think of summer, do you think of vacations? Do you think of lazy days by the pool? I'm guessing that if you have kids, you're thinking about how to keep them busy during the summer break. Here are a few of my favorite, frugal summer activities to do with kids: Plant Flowers. It’s true that planting flowers may get done quicker if you just do it yourself, but if you have young children it’s much more rewarding to take the time and let them help. Even if you dig the hole and place … [Read more...]

Mapping Out a Plan for Summer

By Justin Weinger Leave a Comment

In just a couple of weeks, my boys will be done with school for the summer. My husband teaches courses online for a community college and so he'll be around, too. We're fortunate to be able to spend so much time together during the warm summer months. But sometimes, all that togetherness means we don't get anything done until the mad panic known as August rolls around. Last year my husband and I sat down and mapped out a plan for our summer. While we didn't quite get to everything on our … [Read more...]

Staying Cool in the Summer Heat

By Justin Weinger 2 Comments

I'm not a person who does well with temperature extremes. I get so cold in the winter and in the summer I'm prone to heat sickness. Staying cool in the summer heat is a major priority to me. Here's how to keep your cool this summer without breaking the bank: Be strategic with your landscaping. Plant deciduous trees that provide shade in the summer and when they lose their leaves in the fall, help let the sun shine in during the winter months. Use fans to circulate the air through your … [Read more...]