Frugal Fun Fourth of July Ideas
The Fourth of July is a great holiday because it can be a very frugal one, and still fun. No gifts to buy, no big dinners to plan (although many may have a barbecue), and no fancy outfits. For us, it is all about togetherness, family time, and free light displays. Here are five things you can do today that cost very little:
- Attend your local fireworks display. Plan well, and you may not even have to pay for parking at the event.
- Go to the park. Bring a picnic lunch and spend an afternoon hanging out and having fun.
- Get some of that yard work done. Depending on who you are, it might not be fun, but if you make it a family event it can be. It worked for us raking leaves last fall.
- Take a walk in your neighborhood or on local walking trails.
- Lie out on the lawn and watch the stars. Oh, and the fireworks your neighbors may be setting off.
My family and I will be doing much of the above today, although we may add a trip to the local zoo into the mix. We have a membership so although it cost us money up front, our individual visits don’t cost us anything additional. In fact, the more we go, the less each trip costs.
Have a wonderful Fourth of July! And if you are not in the US and don’t celebrate the fourth - have a happy Friday!
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July 4th, 2008 at 8:09 am
Great list! We’re having a picnic with friends and then watching the fireworks at the lake. No big fuss, well, except the gas to get there. Happy 4th!
July 4th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
The boss is letting us off early - at 1 - then I’m making traditional red potato salad and all the trimmings! It’s not dark here til 10 pm - so we’ll take the blankets out in the cow pasture and watch two coastal towns’ fireworks, and several family shows - all from our back pasture. And before that, we can just lay there and watch dusk settle and the stars start to come out…sooooo relaxing! Fills us with wonder and awe everytime!
Happy Fourth! And thanks to our forefathers for our Freedom to enjoy this all.
July 6th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
These are great tips. We did fireworks as well. Earlier in the day we went to a local farmers market and purchased corn and veggies, then we went to the park before coming home and adding the farmers market goodies to the BBQ along with burgers and hotdogs.
July 7th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
What great tips! I went to the beach and watched their fireworks display. We just packed dinners from home so it wasn’t expensive. The only thing that cost money was the gas, which these days, can kill the pocketbook. Every time I look at the gas price billboard near my home, I am shocked at how quickly it rises.
I’ve heard rumors of it hitting $5
July 10th, 2008 at 9:36 am
I love going to the Zoo so much!!
I find just walking everywhere saves me a ton.
I didn’t do anything for the 4th as I am English and was in Montreal. But I did go and see some fireworks on the holiday weekend and they were the best I had ever seen….. all for free.