With the weather warming up, and feeling like we just went straight from winter to summer in SoCal, I am starting to daydream of the longer sunny days ahead. This coming season I am trying my best to keep my financial goal for the year in check while still making the best of it. I truly believe summer does not have to be an excuse to blow so much money just because there is so much going on everywhere, like concerts and outdoor events. You can still have fun doing activities that don’t break the bank. Many of these that I mention are either free or cheap and are meant to give you ideas on creating your very own list! I will either mark them as cheap or free, with free being you already have resources handy so that you don’t have to go out and spend. Below is a list of my frugal summer bucket list I hope to check off this coming summer:
- Picnic sunset date on the lake (free)
- Bonfires and s’mores at the lake or beach (free)
- Griffith Observatory or museum (free)
- Beach days (Laguna Beach for me/free)
- Night swimming (free)
- Hiking trails (Santa Rosa Plateau for me/free and nearby)
- Barnes & Noble book and coffee date (free/cheap)
- Drive-in theater night date (cheap/a few bucks)
- Local county fair (OC FAIR for me/cheap if you take the city bus for discounted ticket)
- Host an outdoor potluck/I’m hosting a “jacuzzi & margaritas” day with friends at my house (free/cheap)
- Have a water balloon fight at family BBQ gathering (free/cheap)
- Hold a garage sale on a sunny Saturday morning (free/you can make some cash!)
- Travel to a new city or location (free)
- Local night market (free/cheap admission)
- Henna tattoo girl’s date (cheap/kit is a few bucks at craft store)
- LA Dodgers baseball game (moderate/cheap if you find tickets in advance)
- Boat ride to Catalina Island (priciest/doing this for 1 year anniversary/~$70 each roundtrip)
What are some fun and frugal summer activities to do around your area? I’d love to hear below.
(Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored by any of the brands or places mentioned.)
The Minimalist Taurus 
I’m looking forward to the fish hatchery, rail trail exploration hikes, $3 movies at the local theater, walking through the local carnivals to people-watch, and cleaning my house! (The last one sounds like work but I’m really looking forward to getting rid of all the stuff weighing me down!)
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All those sound fun and outdoorsy, that are also affordable or free! The last one will be worth it and sounds exciting knowing you’ll be free of the excess. Good luck 🙂
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Sounds like the perfect list for a fun summer.
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Wow these are some great ideas!!! And so affordable!
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Sit at the beach, under the shade and read a book or at a local park. Speaking about books just wanted to thank you for recommending the book “The Joy of Less” in one of your February posts. I am just reading it now from the local library and am enjoying it. Yes i would like to think that I am heading in that direction to live that lifestyle. Thanks for the recommendation.
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Sounds relaxing! And you are welcome, I feel it is a book that could apply to anyone no matter age or situation…I’m glad to hear you are motivated 🙂
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We enjoy hiking and trekking in our state! 🙂
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You can’t beat the outdoors for summer!
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Farmer’s markets and flea markets are great although it might not be cheap if you end up buying a lot!
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Those still sound like a lot of fun to just walk through and sight-see, good idea! And I agree on that last part lol
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Great ideas! I’m looking forward to the farmer’s market and walking around festivals.
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Picnics, late night walks, libraries, sightseeing…these are my go-to activities this summer that are free or could incur a minor expense. I live in New York City and haven’t tried the drive-in theater yet, but will when I can.
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Those all sound like a dream, and for no cost to little I bet you won’t easily run out of things this summer! New York City must be so full of events and places to see, it’s on my travel list 🙂
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