Fireworks Can Be Free!

Fireworks can be free!  No, I am not talking about going to a fireworks stand and stealing all their stuff.  I am talking about professional fireworks.  Sometimes, if you find the right park or location, you can watch fireworks for free.  Free is always my favorite thing!

I happen to be very lucky and live on the 15th floor of an apartment building.  This 4th of July, I can view fireworks from many different angles.  Several parks in my area will be setting off fireworks, but I can probably look forward to some locals deciding to set off some fireworks in their backyard.  Sure, not everyone is lucky enough to live on the 15th floor, but perhaps you know someone who has a great view of fireworks. You can hang out with them and not pay a cent.  If the apartment is air conditioned, even better!

A good strategy when trying to find your free fireworks entertainment is looking for a list of area locations that are having fireworks this July 4th.  You can find this in a newspaper or online.  Then try to determine an area where you can stay to watch the fireworks for free.  You can always see them far in the distance, so be creative.  Parking lots, parks, public driveways, friend's apartments, and an assortment of other places work.  You might even find a place that has fireworks and you don't even have to pay to sit and watch them.  Many beaches have a fireworks show that is free.

Don't let being broke ruin your good time this summer.  Look for those fireworks and check them out for free whenever possible!

Save Money at the Beach!

Assateague Island in Maryland

I absolutely love visiting the beach.  If possible, I like to go to the ocean a couple of times each summer.  Unfortunately, sometimes I can only afford a day trip.  Other years, I can afford to stay a few nights.  No matter what budget you are working with, you can usually afford to take a day trip to the beach if you live on the east coast.

Did you know many of the states that surround New Jersey have a number of bus companies that offer low-budget day trips?  In many cases, you are even given a free voucher to use at the casinos in Atlantic City if you opt to take an Atlantic City day trip.  It is lots of fun and you can gamble if you want.  If gambling is not your thing, you can hit the beach or go shopping or simply enjoy the boardwalk.  You can even pack food, so you are basically only paying to take the trip, which can be as low as $25 on up to maybe $45 depending on the company you decide to use.

If you can afford to go the beach for more than one day, there are many ways to save money.  Some basic tips for saving money on your low-budget beach trip are:

• Reserve rooms for the middle of the week, not a weekend.  The rates are lower.
• Use a motel or hotel that is not directly on the beach.  Sometimes they have a lower rate.
• Ask friends and family members for recommendations.  Sometimes the best (and cheapest) lodging is at a place you've never heard of before.
• Pack your own food!
• Bring all your own supplies.
• Take a cooler with plenty of ice or make sure the motel has a fridge.
• Look for coupons online before the trip and print them.
• Look for coupon books and guides in the area once you get there.

For further details and tips, please check out: Low-Budget Tips For The Beach

Ocean City in Maryland

Atlantic City Bus Trip

As I've said before, I believe everyone deserves a vacation and there are some vacations that are quite affordable.  I went on an Atlantic City bus trip yesterday.  It was a great way to get away from the computer (yes, I know - amazing!) and have fun.  This is an annual trip sponsored by my apartment building.  I live in Baltimore and it the only cost was $25!  Imagine, an entire day trip from Baltimore to Atlantic City for just $25.

I realize that gambling is not for everyone, but a $20 gambling voucher came along with the trip.  Basically, my goal is to always try to win back what I spent on the trip.  This time, I happened to win $85.  So not only did the trip pay for itself, but I made money.  I also did not spend anything beyond the voucher.  It is important to remember if you go on your own low-budget Atlantic City trip, do not spend beyond the voucher.  If you come out ahead, excellent!  If not, hey, you just got a trip for $25 - enjoy it!  There are plenty of awesome bus trip deals like that in the Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania area, so why not take advantage of one? 

Even if you do not want to gamble, there is plenty of shopping and a nice beach.  You can pack a beach towel and just hang out on the beach all day.  You can also walk along the boardwalk.  You can eat lots of food or even play some games in the arcade.  If you have the opportunity to take a trip to Atlantic City, you totally should do it!

Just Don't Buy It!

Never underestimate how much money you can save just from not buying a few things.  Currently, I am still on my mission: Send Jeannie to the Beach.  Of course, I can't really afford to go, but sometimes you just must take a break.  There are things I really want to buy, but I just won't purchase them for now.  I've created a little list of things I really want, but I am currently living without:

Shower gels on sale at Bath & Body Works - $3 a piece

New MP3 Player - $30

New beach towel - $10

New CD - $15

Basically, if you add all of this together, I am saving around $60 just by not buying some items I really want.  I am instead using older products and simply dealing with it.  I have to remember the goal and continue: