Tag: Summer

  • 5 Summer Activities That Won’t Break Your Bank Account

    As we head into summer and the weather heats up, many might be looking for affordable activities to enjoy with family and friends. Summer is a great time to enjoy the sunshine and get out of the house. All of the trips, vacations, and outdoor activities can start to add up and take a toll on your budget. Whether you’re a college student or looking for affordable activities for your family, here are some summer activities that won’t break your bank account.

    1. Head to the Farmer’s Market: In most cities and towns, farmer’s markets where local farmers and businesses gather to sell their products are hosted on the weekends.. This is an affordable way to buy your products while enjoying some time outdoors. It’s also the perfect spot to meet up with friends and family and shop around for an affordable price.
    2. Look up near nature trails: Check out distant or near trails in your area for its scenic view and experience the great outdoors for free! Whether you choose to hike or bike these trails, it is a great way to get outside and be in touch with nature. This is also the perfect activity to spend time with friends and family and exercise which is good for the mind and body.
    3. Go Swimming: A nice hot summer day calls for a pool day. If your home does not have a pool, no need to fear, there are plenty of neighborhood pools, rivers, lakes, and oceans, depending on your region. Access to a cool body of water is the perfect activity to lounge and enjoy a hot summer day. This activity should cost a low fee and can even be free.
    4. Read a Book: Summer is the perfect time to pick up a new hobby or read that book you’ve been thinking about. Make time in your day to sit outside or choose another space to relax in and enjoy the book you have been wanting to read. This activity can be done in your own home or in public, such as the local library, park, and coffee shops. Books are usually inexpensive and great for your mind and soul.
    5. Host a BBQ: As more people become vaccinated and guidelines are followed, family and friends can begin to gather as life returns back to normal. While restaurants and eating out becomes more of an option, hosting a BBQ is the perfect inexpensive and more affordable option to dining with friends and family. Hosting the BBQ as a potluck will further reduce the costs for everyone attending as one person is assigned to their own dish. The warm weather is perfect for a classic BBQ and an easy way to spend quality time with your loved ones.

  • Building Out Your Productive Summer — Tips for Students

    After weeks upon weeks of stressing over deadlines, submitting assignments, and cramming for exams, the light at the end of the tunnel begins to appear a little brighter. It’s almost summer break!

    When your long-awaited vacation finally arrives, you realize that the lack of items on your to-do list has left you with a lot of time to fill. With this newfound freedom, the possibilities might seem overwhelmingly endless. Here are just a few ideas you can try throughout your summer break to ensure that these next few months will be both productive and self-fulfilling.

    Learn Something New

    The thought of jumping back into classes right after a stressful finals season may seem daunting at first, but hear me out. Take advantage of summer courses offered by your university, local community college, or even various online resources. While you can definitely utilize this chance to get ahead on your graduation requirements, there are also a variety of entertaining classes that you can sign up for to learn something new or even discover a new hobby. While learning in the classroom has its own advantages, you may enjoy learning at your own set pace. Some fun ideas to explore are guitar playing, cooking, and even vegetable gardening!

    Travel/Study Abroad

    For over a year now, the pandemic has put a halt on a lot of people’s summer plans, but the recent availability of the COVID vaccine has offered a lot more opportunities for transportation and travel, whether it be casual roadtrips or booking flights. Additionally, a lot of universities have begun reopening their study abroad and virtual study abroad programs as well. There is no better time than summer break to check out the places that you have been waiting to check off of your travel bucket list. Stay safe and explore!

    Develop Your Resume

    Now that you are finished with the semester, you can finally take time to reflect and update your resume with all of the new skills you have gained throughout the past semester. If you’re looking to gain even more experience, look into applying for volunteering opportunities, summer internships, or jobs on various career resources such as LinkedIn, AngelList, and Handshake.

    Work on Yourself

    Outside of academic and professional growth, one of the most valuable things you can do for yourself is focus on personal growth. This can come in a variety of forms, ranging from small lifestyle choices to large scale habit building. Working out, learning a new skill, taking hikes are all productive activities that will keep your mind and body healthy and productive throughout your break. If you’re looking to develop good habits, you can try creating a list of short and long term goals, bullet journaling, or working on your personal finance!