21st Century Frugal

15 Frugal & Free Activities to Do With Kids Before Summer Ends Back-to-school sales are just around the corner. That means you have just a few more weeks to make some amazing memories. The pressure is on to get as much fun in as you can. You may worry about how all this fun is going to impact your budget. Well, it doesn't have to! There are tons of frugal and free activities that you can do with your kids. Here are 15 of them! 1. Go on a Nature Hike Get outside, enjoy the fresh air, and spend some time in nature. Head out and check out local hiking trails, conservation areas, and nature centers. Take a camera to capture what you see. Don't forget the sunscreen and bring along a water bottle! 2. Head to The Beach If you are lucky enough to live near a body of water, pack your beach towels and spend the day splashing in the surf. No, you don't need to live near an ocean for this. You can look around at parks and day-use recreation areas to find lakes, rivers, creeks, or s

Lower Your Utility Bills This Summer I have mixed feelings every time I hear my AC kick on. I'm definitely grateful to have a cool home, but I'm very aware that every moment the AC runs, I'm spending money. If you live in a hot area like I do, summer often means skyrocketing utility bills. That's just part of life, isn't it? It doesn't have to be. Try these tips to lower your utility bills this summer. Optimize Your AC Usage Your air conditioner is almost always going to be your biggest source of skyrocketing electric bills over the summer. These strategies should make a dent and help you lower your utility bills. Be Smart About Your Thermostat Don't cool your house when nobody's home. Turn the temperature up when you leave and lower it when you get back. The best way to do this is with a programmable or smart thermostat. This will take care of managing the temps for you. With a smart thermostat, you can even have the temperature adjusted gradually so yo