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Free Fun in the Sun for the Whole Family
1.
Build a fairy house
2.
Go stargazing
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Take a hike! (or a walk or a bike trip!)
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Stage a family talent show
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Go fly a kite (but build it first) 6. Attend a local outdoor concert 7.
Visit a local Farm
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Build a fort
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Family Scavenger Hunt!
10.
Ready... aim...Water Fight!
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Greetings!
The Spring edition of Personal Finance Today was crafted on a cold rainy day here in Maine... and so, our theme is summer fun! I know that many people forgo vacations and entertainment when trying to live within a budget and feel like a budgeting failure when these items find their way into the monthly expenses, but it shouldn't be so. Include time away and entertainment in your budget like any other expense. You and your family are worth the consideration! That said, vacations & other fun do not need to be expensive. There are plenty of ways to cut costs with advanced planning, and there are probably activities hosted in your community that are fun and free. Plus, you'll have a chance to meet other families in your community! If you have your own tips on free or inexpensive ways to have fun, please share them with our community on the Institute's blog. We will also explore a helpful tool for rebuilding credit: the secured credit card. If chosen with care, the right secured credit card can be a benefit to the user who is looking either to completely avoid unsecured debt or who is looking to rebuild their credit score. The secret is to read the fine print. Happy reading!  Leslie Linfield Executive Director & Founder Institute for Financial Literacy |
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Looking to build credit? A quick guide to secured credit cards
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| It can be difficult to get around without a credit card. Renting
vehicles, booking hotel rooms or reserving tickets to concerts or
sporting events all require a credit card, whether or not you intend to
pay in cash. For those who either do not qualify for, or prefer not to
use an unsecured credit card, what are the alternatives?
One option for those seeking credit is to look into a secured
credit card. A secured credit card is backed by a savings account,
money market or certificate of deposit. The credit limit on such cards
is usually 50-100% of the deposit required. So if you were asked to
deposit $500, your credit limit would probably be between $250 and $500.
Unlike a debit card, the money stays in the account unless you fail to
pay your monthly bill on time. If you default, the bank will withdraw
the funds owed from the savings account.
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The budget-minded vacation
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 Everybody needs to get away sometime. There's nothing more exciting
than new adventures and different places. However, the cost of most
vacations can make your pulse race for a different reason. But with a
few smart decisions, you can have a relatively
carefree retreat.
The best way to lessen the financial impact of taking a vacation is
to plan early. Determine what your total budget is including
transportation, lodging, food, shopping, and entertainment. You should
have an idea of when you want to leave. Take your total budget and
divide by how many paychecks you will receive between now and then. The
resulting number is how much you need to put away each pay period in
order to afford your holiday.
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Entertainment on a budget
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When working on your budget, it always seems like the fun stuff is
the first to go. Essentials take priority over all the discretionary
items in your financial plan, which can make you less than excited to
pare back your activities. However, there are plenty of low or no cost
things you can do that won't blow your entertainment budget.
If you love movies, you know that it is currently almost $10 to see a
movie in the theater. Add to that the gas spent getting there, any
snacks you buy, as well as the time wasted standing in line, waiting
through the endless movie trivia, advertisements, and previews. Going
out to the movies is an exercise in waste.
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