Summer is a common time when people tend to overspend. Between vacations, social outings, new clothes and other seasonal events, it’s easy for costs to add up unexpectedly. If you need activities to do this summer that allow you to stick to your budget while still having a good time, keep reading!
If you’re staying in Columbia this summer, there are many things that you can do around town and most of them you can even do by yourself. For starters, if you haven’t explored Columbia’s nature trails yet, what are you doing?! Columbia’s MKT trail is just steps away from campus, located near Greek Row and 7 Brew. Put on your favorite album or podcast and go on a walk, run or even a bike ride.
Another super cool trail is Devil’s Icebox. As a part of Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, the Devil’s Icebox trail has many scenic features, including a cave you can explore! It also lives up to its name and drops in temperature around the cave, so it’s perfect if you need to cool off from the hot summer sun.
One of my go-to activities around Columbia is the farmer’s market. It takes place every Saturday morning and is free admission! Even if you’re not interested in buying anything, it’s always fun to walk around and see what it offers. There are food trucks, coffee stands and sometimes live music. I would definitely check it out if you haven’t yet! Here is the schedule to learn more information: Calendar – Columbia Farmers Market
There are many art galleries around Columbia that are usually free to browse. The Columbia Art League even hosts an event called “Art in the Park” at Stephens Lake Park. Art in the Park is taking place on June 6 and 7 this year and has free entry! The festival features artists from across the United States and also offers hands-on activities, live music and more. You can check out Stephens Lake Park on other weekends too for scenic trails, and access to swim and fish in the lake.
Concerts, festivals and markets are just some of the free events that Columbia offers. Other activities that you can do this summer for a low price include having a picnic or craft night with friends. Find a park, get a blanket and have each person bring something to eat! This is a super simple idea and can be done wherever you’re spending the summer. Similarly, you and your friends can have a night dedicated to crafting. This can be something as simple as painting canvases or glassware, bracelet making or making a scrapbook with things you already have around the house, such as magazines.
Movie nights are always a good idea and most of the time cost-free. Something you could do to make it even more fun is to have one outside. You can hang up a sheet on an outside wall or deck and bring a projector, or even just use a laptop; set up a tent or comfy chairs and you’re good to go! Don’t forget to bring your favorite snacks and to take it to the next level, you could have themed snacks or drinks to go along with the movie you’re watching.
Something else you can do this summer is try out a new workout class. Some places have a trial offer where you can attend your first class for free! Some well-known places that offer this are HotWorx, Orange Theory and CorePower Yoga. Sometimes, gyms offer a free pass, such as Planet Fitness, Anytime Fitness and Crunch Fitness. This is a great way to try new things and step out of your comfort zone.
Lastly, it is common for some museums or aquariums to have free admission days throughout the summer. So wherever you’re planning on spending the summer, take advantage of what places near you might offer!
Some more tips for saving:
- Utilize student discounts.
- Create a budget in advance + set aside money for bigger events.
- Staycation > vacation.
- Cook meals at home with friends instead of eating out.
- In some cases, it’s not about what you’re doing but who you’re doing it with! If you have an open mind and a good attitude, anything can be fun!
Summer splurging and letting go of your typical budget routines is a common habit. I hope you can use some of the ideas in this article to break that habit and have a low-cost but still fun and exciting summer!