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Creatively Frugal End of
Summer Celebrations
In what fun, but frugal ways does your family
or
neighborhood celebrate those last
few weeks of summer?
"Every year, a couple of weeks
before the children have to go back to school, someone in our
neighborhood volunteers their back patio for a potluck ice cream social.
The fathers bring ice chests, lawn chairs, blow up pools, and
sprinklers. The women bring their favorite brand of ice cream, or
topping. One of the men brought over all kinds of crushed nuts that he
gets from a wholesaler each year. No one bears the brunt of the entire
expense, and we love watching the kids frolic from pool to pool and
running under the sprinklers. It is a very fun social event we all look
forward to every year." ~ Donna
"We buy an additional Entertainment book around this time of year
since they're usually about $5 by now and use up the coupons on local
summer fairs, restaurants and stores. Also, if we are going to travel
to a different area we may buy an Entertainment book for that area so
we can get discounted meals, lodging, sightseeing, etc. You can buy it
on line or call them: www.entertainment.com
We also go to the local park. We pick up a take-out pizza on the way
there and swim, play and read for several hours." ~ Saving in
Seattle
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"We have two things that our neighborhood regularly does during
the summer and at summer's end.. There is one family down the block
that does their 'thing' DURING summer months for all-comers.
On Fridays or
Sundays that they have the evening free, they put a sports-team flag
out on their light pole in front of their house. This is the 'happy
hour' signal to everyone else (they put out flyers at the beginning of
the season). Happy hour is when you grab whatever you have to share
(chips, soda, fruit, etc.) and head down for a couple of hours
socializing on the family's back deck. They usually provide beer, wine
and juice for the kids. But even when they don't, someone brings
drinks, someone else snacks, etc and it's a great way to get to know
everyone. The end of the season itself is a time for a GROUP CAMPING
TRIP.
Another neighbor sets up the when and where for however many want to
join in (usually comes to five or six families.) We each pay our own
way, but since we're 'roughing it' (tents, etc.), it doesn't tend to
cost much, and again, a GREAT way to get to know one's neighbors
better! Our neighborhood is so close and it really is nice to have
found our 'diamond in the rough' (we live inside a very big
city!)." ~ Melissa
Editor's Note: Thanks to everyone who took the time to share
his or her ideas!
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