Summer Bucket List for Broke People

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser, Walmart Family Mobile. All opinions are mine alone. #SummerIsForSavings #CollectiveBias #WFM2

Get ideas on what to do this summer when you’re broke! Download a free summer bucket list printable down below- Summer Bucket List for Broke People

Summer Bucket List for Broke People

It’s easy to want to spend money during the summer months on vacations, outdoor activities, weekends away, and more. However, if you’re on a budget, it’s important to stick to that budget even in the summer fun season! But, just because you’re on a budget doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy summer! I’ve created a bucket list for frugal people on a budget, or just want to save money! As much as we love to travel and go, I’m also all about finding free and cheap things to do with my family! Take a look at the list I’ve put together, and be sure to download the printable version of it to use this summer!

Be sure to check out our NEW Fall Bucket List for Broke People!

****GIVEAWAY: I am currently giving away a $100 Gift Card To Walmart! Enter HERE********

1. Have a make your own dinner night. Raid your fridge and make whatever you have available. Turn it up a notch by making it into a competition. Have each child (or adult) come up with a meal based on whatever you have in the fridge.
2. Visit your local zoo. Most zoos have a free day or a $1.00 day. Here in Lansing, the Potter Park Zoo participates in Zoo days.
3. Look for local splash pads for the kids. These are usually FREE or a few bucks.
4. Same for your local museums. Many museums have free days for their members, or if you carry a particular bank card, they offer free days in the Chicago area.
5. Pull out the board games and have a game day with the family.
6. Binge watch movies and new TV shows on many of the streaming services.
7. Spend time with your best friend by giving each other a makeover. There are enough videos on YouTube for you both to watch and come with a stylish look. Or, have a total blast with it and do a vintage, retro look. Either way, it will be fun and time to bond with each other.
8. Swap clothes with friends. Everyone loves to have a new wardrobe, but that can get expensive. Raid each other’s closets, and take their cutest summer outfits. If you’re like my best friends, you will never see those outfits again! LOL, My friends do not return items!
9. Make your own syrup!
10. Have an adult game night with your friends. If you don’t have the board game Cards Against Humanity, be sure to add it to your list.
11. The kids can go to Apple Camp for FREE!
12. Save on GAS! (up to .25 cents off per gallon). Learn more here.
13. Change it up! Take a new route to work. A change of scenery will help you come up with new ideas, and even see life in a different perspective.
14. Visit your local library. When’s the last time you stepped inside the public library? Head there and grab a few new books to read.
15. Learn how to coupon. This is a great way to save money!
16. Have a neighborhood parade with decorated bikes and wagons.
17. Geocaching. This is something on our family bucket list this summer. This is a fun idea for the whole family, a date night idea, or just by yourself. Go on a real live treasure hunt. Do a quick google search to see where to start in your town/city.
18. People watch. This is one of my favorite things to do. I love just to sit and watch people. People are interesting and complex. Head to the beach, train station, mall, Walmart, park, and other popular places where people migrate. Enjoy!
19. Write your future self a letter. Talk about where you are right now in life and what goals you want to accomplish. Be sure to put it somewhere where you will find it in about five years.
20. Set up a hot dog bar to enjoy one night for dinner.
21. See a movie for FREE (or super cheap!) Our movie theaters have kid movies for $2 bucks in the summer and $5 bucks on Tuesday nights. Find your movie theater and see what days/nights they are offering cheap movie nights. This is a great way to see the new movies without paying an arm and a leg. No, seriously, it really cost that much to see a movie! (for a family of five we could easily spend about $75 bucks). Get tips on seeing movies cheap here.
22. Volunteer. Head to your local shelter and help serve dinner one night. Stop by your animal shelter and volunteer some of your time. Sign up to bring a meal to a Senior Citizen with Meals on Wheels.
23. Do ten random acts of kindness!
24. Learn how to save money by reading my frugal tips on  60 ways to save money!
25. Hang twinkle lights in the backyard, turn on the music, and enjoy a backyard dance. {Get ideas on outdoor entertainment from our last party!}
26. Give each kid $5 and go thrifting. See who can score the coolest or most valuable find.
27. Go camping in your backyard. My youngest son loved doing this when he bought his first tent.
28. Head to your local’s Farmer’s Market. Not only will you find fresh produce, but at very reasonable prices.
29. Buy a pack of postcards at the dollar store and write some of your friends. I bet they will be surprised to get something in the mail! Remember when we used to love getting emails, and loathed all the mail? I would love to get a letter in the mail from a friend!
30. Get more summer bucket list ideas for couples- 27 Summer Bucket List Ideas For Couples
31. Plan a camping trip. Read some of my tips on camping hacks to help you plan.
32. Go vintage shopping. This is something I have started to do, and it’s a lot of FUN! Even if you don’t plan on buying anything, it’s fun to look at all of the beautiful, timeless pieces.
33. Have a yard sale. Make some money by getting rid of the junk, I mean, stuff around your house. You will be surprised how much you can get rid of and make some serious CASH!
34. Watch movies at the park. Many towns and cities participate in free movies at the park. For the Mid-Michigan area, you can find the list of Lansing movies in the park here.
35. Get a massage. You can find really great deals on Groupon for massages for a fraction of the price!
36. Watch a local fireworks show. Many places have fireworks shows every weekend during the summer months. This is a great date night idea too!
37. Choose a local or state park and plan a hike for it.
38. Visit a state park. Find which National or State parks are in your area, and plan a trip. When I renew my car tags each year, I add the extra few bucks to get into my State parks for free.
39. Take the kids on a tour of your local fire station.
40. Attend make and take clinics at your local craft stores. Kids can enjoy making all sorts of craft items usually for free; you just have to RSVP.
41. Call your local city offices to find out when free events such as festivals, markets, fireworks shows, concerts, art demos, and more are offered. {If you’re in the Mid-Michigan area, go HERE for a list of events going on}
42. Visit a local vineyard for wine tasting. {great date night idea or night out with friends!}
43. Go stargazing together with your significant other! Grab the blankets, spray yourself with bug spray and snuggle in the backyard looking up at the stars and talking about what you would wish if you could really wish upon a star.
44. Dig out all of the water guns (or head to Walmart to buy a few more!). Have a water fight. If you don’t have guns, you can always use balloons.
45. Get more ideas on my 102 Summer Bucket List Ideas
46. Attend an outdoor concert or play. {If you are in the Mid-Michigan, you can find a list of FREE concerts to check out!}
47. Make your own deodorant.
48. Have a picnic at your local park. Let the kids plan the menu and take outdoor games with you.
49. Let your kids participate in local camps (usually hosted by churches in the area called vacation bible school).
50. Spend the day at the beach. Living in Michigan, we are fortunate enough to have Lake Michigan just an hour away!
51. Kids can bowl free during the summer.
52. Kids can also skate free during the summer.
53. Sign up for the free summer reading program at Barnes and Noble and earn a free book.
54. Are you located in Michigan? If so, I have another 100 +++ Summer activities you should add to your bucket list.
55. Have Date Nights in the backyard. We recently checked this item off our summer bucket list. We created a fun date night in the backyard with sweet treats and soda. You can check it out here.
56. Find a Drive-In Theater or find a theater that still plays old movies.
57. Be sure to stop by Walmart to save money on your cell phone by switching to the Walmart Family Mobile plan, plus stock-up on other summer essentials for a low price!
58. Watch a FREE VUDU◊* movie with the $49.88 PLUS Plan from Walmart Family Mobile, powered by T-Mobile.
59. And last by not least, be sure to get more ideas on what to do before summer is over- 101 Things to Do Before Summer is Over

As a customer of the $49.88 PLUS Plan** from Walmart Family Mobile, you will receive unlimited talk, text & data plan, which includes up to 15 GB of 4G LTE† data, then 2G*. That is a LOT of data! For a family of 5, we use around the same amount, and I like that you also have unlimited texting options. Nowadays, everyone texts vs. calling. And to be honest, it’s easier to send a quick text versus having a drawn out conversation. Plus, if you have teens, all they do is text and use apps to talk to their friends (this is where that 15 GB will come in handy).

• **Disclaimer: All prices for phones and plans included in this post are accurate as of the date of posting; however, these prices are subject to change. Please refer to this page or your local Walmart for current pricing.

I was able to stop by my Walmart store and head to their mobile area to find a reasonable price phone, the LG L59 Grace. Keep in mind you can pick any phone for the Walmart Family Mobile plan, or bring your own phone!

Other great benefits of being on the Walmart Family Mobile plan (no matter if you’re broke, or just want to have a reasonable cell phone bill),

• There are NO contracts. You may pay the monthly plan price.
• You can pick ANY phone. You can pick ANY plan.
• No activation fees.
• No late charges! (hey, more savings!)
• You can even keep your own phone and still switch to a Walmart Family Mobile plan!
• Get a FREE movie rental from VUDU◊ when you’re on the $49.88 PLUS Plan (valued at $7.00) each time you renew the service.

With more data on the Walmart Family Mobile, powered by T-Mobile (15GB of 4G LTE†), you will be able to save money this summer, but also do a ton of FREE/Cheap things listed above which will also save you money.

Download this FREE printable: Summer Bucket List for Broke People 

Disclaimer:

• *Please always refer to the latest terms and conditions at myfamilymobile.com.
• †To get 4G LTE speed, you must have a 4G LTE capable device and 4G LTE SIM Card. Actual availability, coverage and speed may vary. LTE is a trademark of ETSI.

Find more things for the whole family:

• Boredom Busters: 20 Fun and Frugal Kids Summer Activities
• 25 Things For Tweens To Do This Summer
• 15 Free Or Cheap Summer Dates
• 102 Summer Bucket List Ideas
• 27 Summer Bucket List Ideas For Couples 
• Fall Bucket List for Broke People 

*Disclaimer: ◊Limited time offer. Available for lines active with the PLUS $49.88 plan only. VUDU enabled device and account required for digital viewing. Customers must be 18 years or older to open a VUDU account. Movie rental only available in the USA. Free movie rental provided in the form of a movie rental code to the value of a $7.00 VUDU credit. Movie rental code allows for selection from available movies for rent. May not be readily redeemable on all new releases. Code will be delivered within up to 24 hours of the effective account renewal date. Must be used within 30 days of receiving code. Offer is non-transferable. Limit 1 per customer. Additional terms and conditions on VUDU’s website: http://www.vudu.com/termsofservice.html