Five Things To Do On A Budget This Summer
Photo by Pawel Czerwinski on Unsplash.
Unfortunately even after several years post-pandemic, it seems that everyone is still pretty strapped for cash these days, especially in my hometown of Reno, Nevada. Rent is still skyrocketing, inflation is putting pressure on our wallets and the list of things to do is quickly becoming the things we can’t do. Especially in light of the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down student debt relief for thousands on Friday, the ever-looming weight of crushing payments resuming makes any plans for recreation and mental health breaks impossible.
I felt the FOMO hard this year when I had to turn down a Burning Man ticket – especially when I crunched the numbers. A festival like that can easily cost thousands of dollars (literally) and with social media constantly bombarding us with the lucky elite who can afford to drop entire paychecks on rave gear, overpriced admissions, ludicrous camp dues, and simply the logistics of lugging your car, food, water and comforts out to the middle of nowhere, needs versus wants get depressing fast. Since many of us lost our entire networks of festie buddies during COVID, we’ve found ourselves looking up “fun things to do alone,” a lot more too. On top of it all, flights, Airbnbs and hotels, gas, taking time off work… travel of any kind piles up, and when you’re counting every penny it’s difficult to feel like there’s anything to look forward to.
Cheap Fun Things To Do Near Me
That’s where I come in – if you’re trying to brainstorm activities you can do at home that aren’t going to completely drain your bank account, I made this list of decent music parties you can manage at little to almost no cost. The only thing you’d need are friends, but even without, I made sure these are solo-friendly too for you fellow loners.
Vinyl Party
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If you have a decent collection going and a player, this is a super simple way to enjoy some classic tracks without going out. Pop a record on, brew some tea, kick back in a comfy chair and you’re set for a soothing day. Or if you’re feeling like dancing, invite a few friends over and have everyone take turns picking albums. It’s always interesting to see who chooses what and everyone can bring their own food and drinks potluck-style. Just make sure your neighbors know you’ll be bumping some tunes.
If you have an old collection of CDs or cassette tapes, that works too for some nostalgic, blast-from-the-past kind of fun. Explore your options and see what you can dig up!
While fancy fire pits can get pricey fast, a small one is only around $50 to $99 from most retail outlets. The wood ones are cheaper and have their perks over the propane ones, but either way you slice it, having your own fire (when it’s safe to do so) is so much easier than driving out to a campsite, paying for the space and all the other costs thereof. You can have friends bring their own instruments or you can use your phone or a Bluetooth speaker for atmosphere and boom — inexpensive at-home festival. You could even roast some marshmallows and make s’mores for that wilderness adventure flair… you know, without the hassle of actually being in the wilderness.
Bedroom Pop
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Similar to the backyard fire pit idea, staying indoors can be just as satisfying as a night on the town. Flip on some ambient lighting, pull up some soft blankets, blast some tracks and grab some snacks for a lowkey, chill jam sesh. Read a book, knit or crochet, draw or paint, dish up a new recipe, the possibilities are wide open. I’m a huge fan of exploring new music through Spotify radio playlists and that’s how I’ve found some of my current favorites. If you’re a cosmoholic, I’m really into a stay-in makeup experimentation night. Some of the best looks I’ve created have been during my lo-fi beats evenings. Relaxing and zero stress, this option is almost entirely free, rent and groceries aside.
Free Shows
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If you’re absolutely set on getting out of the house, most towns hold free concerts at local dive bars and pubs every week. Just a few minutes of searching on Facebook Events or city websites could reap decent opportunities to see good quality bands and artists. Don’t underestimate the concert just because it’s free — just make sure it’s at a reputable venue and viola, music without the guilt of burning a hole in your checking account. It’s also a great chance for intimate, small performances that could end in meeting with the musicians and making new friends. I’m always on the lookout for something fresh this way, and have made some long-lasting, awesome acquaintances through this avenue. Go with an open mind and be sure to order cheaper drinks if you’re on a tight budget.
Nature Sessions
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Nothing beats the summer heat like a float down the Truckee River. Wear a life jacket always, whip out that old inner tube and if you have a waterproof Bluetooth speaker, you’ve got the green light for an awesome day. If you don’t have any of those things at your disposal already, a picnic in the park or hike up to a scenic lookout isn’t too costly at all. If you have roller skates with outdoor wheels on, one of my favorite activities was cruising along the sidewalk downtown with my earbuds in, jamming. One of the greatest resources you have is the world around you: find beauty where you see it and bring your instruments or playlists along.
Cheap Summer Activities Made Easy
Let’s just face it – shit’s expensive, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still have fun this summer. If you experience bad FOMO like me, these are some of the things I’ve found to help fill the void of loneliness and limitations that come with living in a capitalist society. Don’t limit yourself to waiting on friends to go on an adventure either. Whether you’re with loved ones or flying solo, you don’t have to drop thousands on Burning Man to make wonderful memories, enjoy good music and dance in wild places.
If you need a frequency or meditation playlist this season to attract wealth and abundance, check out my curated “Get That Bread” tracks here.
