5 Low-Cost Things to Do to on July 4
The Fourth of July is a great excuse to have some fun, particularly when the holiday is attached to a weekend as it is this year.
The catch is that many of the ideas you might have for celebrating Independence Day are expensive. A weekend trip? Very expensive. A big barbecue? Expensive. A big pile of fireworks? Quite expensive.
Thankfully, there are several ways to enjoy the Fourth of July without breaking your budget. Here are five things to consider and plan for the holiday.
Plan your day around free fireworks. If you live within a short drive of a great public fireworks display, plan your day around that. Turn the free fireworks into the centerpiece of a day trip.
Start by packing a couple of picnic meals -- one for lunch and one for dinner. A cooler can help keep your food and beverages nice and cold.
Along the way, look for roadside attractions, parks and other resources that are open to the public and have Fourth of July hours. A bit of research can help you find a plethora of options between your home and the fireworks.
It's always a smart idea to pack some snacks for any road trip, particularly if you have children. Grabbing a few goodies out of the cupboard, and taking beverages with you can help you avoid buying expensive snacks at a convenience store.
Arrive early, spread out a blanket and eat your evening picnic as you wait for the fireworks to cap off a wonderful day.
Throw a potluck barbecue. Many families want to host a barbecue on the Fourth of July, but the cost can really add up. The solution to that problem is to make it into a potluck.
Have each guest bring a large side dish or a package of hamburgers or hot dogs to grill, so you just have to supply a small portion of the food and beverages.
This not only saves you a tremendous amount by spreading around the costs, it allows for a diverse food selection that you might have trouble pulling off by yourself.
Enjoy a community festival (and pack your own sandwiches). Instead of a day trip to remote fireworks, take advantage of celebrations going on in your own town. In many communities, there is a Fourth of July parade or fun celebration in the town park with free and cheap activities.
The food at such events can often be pricey and of questionable quality, so don't hesitate to pack your own lunch. Keep it cool in a cooler in your car, and retrieve it when you're family gets hungry.
Take a similar approach with beverages. Fill up a big water bottle with cold water before you leave, and keep some additional beverages in a cooler in your car. This will save you from paying high prices for beverages at the festival.
Look for a free concert. In larger communities, you'll often find that the Fourth of July brings out free concerts by the municipal band or a number of local bands.
Free live music is always a great way to spend an afternoon and evening, so take advantage of it. Pack a picnic basket and a blanket and head out to the village green for a nice concert -- one that's often followed by fireworks.
If you're not sure if there are any free concerts available in your area, check the community calendar on your town's website as well as any nearby towns or cities.
If the heat is oppressive, stay indoors and have a thematic movie marathon. Sometimes the thermometer on the Fourth of July makes it unpleasant to be outside, so instead, stay inside and have an American-themed movie marathon with your family.
Films that work well for adults and older children include: "Glory," "To Kill a Mockingbird," "Born on the Fourth of July," "Rocky" and "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington." For younger viewers, the "This is America, Charlie Brown" miniseries is a good option, as is "School House Rock: Election Collection."
A few DVDs can make for a relaxing afternoon, setting the stage for an evening of fireworks when the weather cools off.
The Fourth of July offers many opportunities for inexpensive fun. With a bit of planning, it's easy to celebrate our country's birthday without paying pricey birthday party costs.
Trent Hamm is the founder of the personal finance website TheSimpleDollar.com, which provides consumers with resources and tools to make informed financial decisions.
