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You may have to stay close to home this summer to cut on spending. But you can still have good times and create good memories.

Here are some options on how to spend the summer without spending much:

Explore your hometown

Museums, museums… there surely are a number in your hometown. You sure can be a tourist in your own hometown as well. Visit a museum you've always passed off as being 'too touristy'. Also, you can spend the day antiquing or checking out those little boutiques you've always wanted to see.

Check out the local events scene

Especially during summer, there are numerous events going on in your area. If you're looking to save on costs, look beyond the big events in major cities and take advantage of events happening in the community, such as at local historic sites and parks. There could be unusual and quirky events such as car shows, boat shows, garden tours, art exhibits, historical reenactments and other festivals, concerts and foodie events that take place during summer.

Learn (or teach) a new skill

Learning or teaching a new skill paves the way for memorable experiences. If you like to cook, get together with a cooking buddy and try a new recipe, new cooking equipment or new cooking technique. Then spend the afternoon backdoors, sampling your culinary offering.

Teach your child or grandchild a skill like knitting or sewing, or involve them in a hands-on project. These quick lessons can also turn into longer projects that you can work on together with your family and make for bonding moments.

Get some exercise

Walking is the best form of exercise and makes for a pleasant way to spend a few hours. To turn it into an adventure, get out of your neighborhood and away from your usual route . Take a hike in a local park or conservation area with a camera and some favourite snacks in hand.

Or if you want to make a day of it, check to see if you can rent a bicycle for the day and take a tour. If you're lucky enough to live in a town with water, consider renting a boat for a few hours. A dip in the lake might be an added treat. These are tremendous fun in the company of your child, grandchild or special someone.

Go to the market

For a change, skip the grocery store this weekend. Instead, make an adventure of it by shopping in the farmer's market. The trip isn't just about food shopping — it's about taking in the sights, sounds and smells as well as the farmers who have come with their produce. It could be an afternoon of meeting new people with varied interests.

Eat outside

There aren't many months of the year when we can dine al fresco. Take advantage of your summer then. Plus, preparing your own meal is much cheaper than a trip to a restaurant. Take out that wooden or iron table in the backyard and you've got excellent ambiance plus cool air.

Picnics are versatile and inexpensive ways pf spending time with the people you love, and you can adapt the choice of local cuisine to suit any audience like the kids or grandkids, your parents, friends or a special someone.

Plan a day trip

Pack up your car and head out of town — even if it's just an hour or so away. Take along a comfortable pair of walking shoes, your camera and an umbrella (if needed), and some snacks. Your journey can be as planned or as impromptu as you like. You can even make a picnic out of it. Regardless of where you go or what your budget is, you would have one day of outdoor adventure before autumn creeps on you.

READ MORE

If your budget cant let you go now, read about places that interest you. Make plans to visit it, through the internet or books. The public libraries are still very much around, isn't it? Plan it, do it, see it for free.

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