Summer time is lastly right here, and when you’ve been round for any size of time, that I really like summer time bucket checklist. I additionally wish to take pleasure in myself and loosen up with out spending a ton of cash. This basis stems again to my single mother days a number of years in the past once I made it a degree to at all times discover one thing enjoyable and reasonably priced for my son and I to do.
My finances was so tight, however I by no means needed to inform him that we couldn’t take pleasure in ourselves as a result of I ‘couldn’t afford it’. So I at all times discovered issues to do from free festivals and native occasions to ‘children eat free’ days at eating places and saved it fairly frugal.
Over time and as my budgeting expertise and earnings has elevated, I’ve continued to prioritize dwelling frugally however not making myself really feel disadvantaged or like I’m sacrificing my values.
This 12 months, I needed to place collectively a sensible, feel-good frugal summer time bucket checklist that’s full of enjoyable, refreshing experiences that gained’t disrupt my finances (I nonetheless have a ton of monetary targets this 12 months!). A few of these concepts have been on my checklist for some time. Others are new issues I’m excited (and perhaps barely nervous) to strive.
So right here’s my official 2025 Frugal Summer time Bucket Checklist.
Journey My Bike Commonly
I really feel like I add this to my summer time bucket checklist each 12 months… and yearly I fall quick. My neighborhood is tremendous hilly, and actually, the hills win each time. This 12 months, I’m being extra lifelike with myself. As a substitute of forcing rides round my space, I made a decision to put money into a motorcycle rack so I can transport my bike to flatter trails close by.
My objective is to journey as soon as every week, however I’m hoping that when I get going, I’ll journey much more. It’s free, nice train, and a peaceable option to clear my head. So I’m making it occur this 12 months.
Take Swim Lessons
Right here’s a private one. I by no means realized to swim correctly as a child, and it’s one thing I’ve at all times needed to alter. I lastly signed myself (and my son) up for a 6-week newbie swim class on the YMCA.
That is half skill-building and half pushing myself out of my consolation zone. It’s a budget-friendly option to be taught one thing new collectively, and I’m actually enthusiastic about it.
Take My Kayak Out a Few Occasions
I’ve been into kayaking on and off for years. It’s so calming and therapeutic. So final 12 months, I lastly purchased my very own kayak. However I by no means obtained round to utilizing it.
This summer time, I’ve already been scoping out close by lakes and water spots in Tennessee. My objective is to take it out a minimum of 2 to three occasions. It’s free upon getting the tools, and it’s a kind of actions that I really love and simply seems like summer time.
Go to 2–3 Waterfalls in Tennessee
Tennessee is dwelling to some really gorgeous waterfalls, and lots of of them are utterly free to go to. I wish to take advantage of the pure magnificence round me and go to a minimum of 2 or 3 waterfalls this summer time.
Bonus: These waterfall hikes make for nice household day journeys, value little to nothing, and provides me cause to pack a picnic and hit the highway.
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End My New Fiction E book
I began studying a fiction e-book final 12 months after which… life. However I actually wish to get again into studying for enjoyable — only for me.
My small objective is to learn for 15–20 minutes every night time earlier than mattress. That’s it. If I keep constant, I ought to be capable of end the e-book (and perhaps even begin a brand new one) earlier than the tip of the summer time.
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Attend a Live performance
Final summer time, I went to Smokefest in Nashville and had such a blast. I’d like to go once more this 12 months and perhaps discover one other native live performance or outside music occasion too.
Concert events don’t at all times must be costly particularly when you snag early hen tickets or take a look at free neighborhood music nights. This one will take a bit of planning, but it surely’s completely doable on a finances.
Solo Mini-Journey
This one’s already booked! My son goes to in a single day camp for every week every summer time, so I made a decision to plan a small solo retreat utilizing journey rewards factors.
I’m heading to a resort for 3–4 nights and conserving issues tremendous easy: relaxation, prayer, journaling, and a bit of solo journey. I’m nonetheless planning out the small print, however simply realizing I’ve this time carved out for me seems like such a present.
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Host an Occasion at Our New Home
We simply purchased a house in Tennessee, and I’m so grateful. Whereas we’re nonetheless settling in, I actually wish to host one thing small: perhaps a housewarming social gathering, a recreation night time, or perhaps a informal summer time bonfire with buddies.
Internet hosting doesn’t must be costly. My husband likes to grill and I like to bake/deal with the snacks and leisure division so it’s at all times time.
Weekly Date Nights
That is one thing I plan to construct a behavior with over the summer time so we are able to proceed transferring ahead. Our date nights are sporadic at finest, however I’d like to do one thing extra frequently to attach and construct recollections.
It doesn’t must be large and generally we don’t even want to depart the home, however I really feel that intention and dedication are what issues finest.
Assist My Son Get His Driver’s Allow
It’s that point. My son is getting sufficiently old to learn to drive…and I’m not okay. I’m making an attempt to remain calm, however on the within I’m a mixture of nervous, proud, and questioning how we obtained right here so quick.
As scary because it feels, I do know it is a large, necessary step, and I wish to be current for it. I’m planning to assist him examine, level out issues whereas we’re on the highway, and reply all of the questions (even those I’ve to Google first).
I do know these moments will fly by, so I’m going to do my finest to benefit from the journey. No pun supposed!
Spend Extra Time Exterior in Basic/Maintain My Backyard Alive
I’m actually craving extra outside time this summer time — whether or not it’s a sluggish morning espresso on the porch, a night stroll, or simply studying within the yard whereas the solar goes down. Being outdoors helps me reset and really feel grounded, and I wish to lean into that extra this season.
One other objective? Protecting my backyard alive. 😅 Final 12 months was a little bit of a battle. I began with good intentions, however between the warmth and busy days, issues obtained uncared for fairly rapidly. This summer time, I wish to be extra constant — watering frequently, checking in on my vegetation, and truly having fun with the house I’m creating.
It doesn’t must be excellent. I simply wish to develop one thing and provides myself the house to take pleasure in small wins.
Remaining Ideas
This summer time, I’m giving myself permission to decelerate, be current, and discover my very own pursuits a bit of extra. It doesn’t take an enormous finances to create lasting recollections. You simply intention and a bit of planning.
When you’re seeking to create your individual frugal summer time bucket checklist, I extremely advocate it! Begin with a couple of issues that convey you pleasure, problem you, or provide you with peace. Then discover methods to do them with out overspending.
Let’s make this summer time one to recollect, with out looming debt and overspending.
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