Ways To Save At The Fair

Ways To Save At The Fair

Advertisements for the local fair are popping up everywhere, and your kids are begging to go. While the fair is a lot of fun, and in some places a summertime tradition, it can really blow your budget out of the water faster than the Speeding Bullet ride. While you can’t change the prices of a lot of things, there are some simple ways to save some money and still have a great time.
1. Look for advance admission tickets. Check local newspapers and flyers for specials on tickets. Sometimes you can buy them in the grocery store as well. Many fairs offer discounts for military, small children, and senior citizens.

2. Carpool. Two families in one large vehicle pay as much for parking as one family in a smaller one. Find a friend to split costs with. Bonus – you’ll have someone to hang out with while the kids are on rides. Depending on the fair, there may also be a free shuttle from remote parking areas.

3. Eat before you go. Fair food is expensive. Don’t go hungry. Some people go to the fair just for the cotton candy, fried dough or some other delectable and greasy goodie, and that’s fine as long as that’s the only thing you buy. If you try to get an entire meal there, you’ll be sorry. A hot dog, soda, and some potato chips can cost upwards of ten dollars. You could eat the same thing at home for a tenth of the cost. Sometimes, near closing time, vendors offer discounts on the food as well.

4. Go on “bracelet day”. Most fairs have one or two days where you pay one price for a wristband and get unlimited ride privileges. The drawback to this is that the lines are longer because more people are taking advantage of this opportunity. Be prepared to go early to cut down on waiting time.

5. Stay away from the games. The purpose of the games is to take the money of people playing them. It’s nearly impossible to win those big stuffed animals. Those who do so have spent a lot of money and traded up. It’s cheaper to stop and buy a giant teddy bear at Walmart or Target on the way home.

6. Budget. If you want to spend a hundred dollars, bring only a hundred dollars with you. Leave the credit and debit cards at home. Fairs are now equipped with ATM machines. It’s impossible to go over your spending limit if you don’t have the money with you.

7. Bring your own camera. Photo booths at the fair are fun, but you can very easily take your own pictures in front of a ride or a game for a fraction of the cost. Edit them with some free software like PicMonkey, and you’ll have lots of budget-friendly memories.

8. Take advantage of the free stuff. Walk around, look at the exhibits, and check out the free shows. The 2 inch tall person isn’t real. It’s a mirror trick. Save your five dollars for something else.
The fair is supposed to be fun, but if you have to open your wallet every two minutes, you won’t be able to really enjoy yourself. By planning ahead you’ll save a bundle and still have a blast with your family.