Summer Activities That Can Improve Your Finances, Health, and Wellness

Summer is a fun time of year that’s meant to be spent doing fun things with the people you love. Unfortunately, sometimes summer activities can be expensive, unhealthy, and sometimes even draining.

Luckily, they don’t have to be. There are plenty of fun and exciting summer activities that will leave you feeling fresh and your bank account full. Here are some fun summer activities that can improve your finances, health, and wellness.

Beach Excursions

One of the hallmarks of summer — for those fortunate enough to live near a coast — is fun days at the beach. And what’s more is that public beaches are free for you to enjoy whenever you want. For those who don’t live near the ocean, bays and lakes can make for fun days that allow you to cool off and hang out with loved ones without having to break the bank.

Another great part about beach adventures is packing a picnic. And when eating out isn’t in the budget, beach picnics are a great way to make the most out of a packed lunch.

In addition, swimming, tossing a football, or just plain running around are great ways to burn calories and keep your body fit and healthy. But of course, always wear sunscreen and make sure that you and your loved ones are aware of all the most relevant ocean safety tips.

Bike Rides Through Town

Anyone who’s owned and driven a car knows that gas can cost an arm and a leg. On top of that, driving can also encourage a sedentary lifestyle, which isn’t very good for your body. Rather than run up your gas bills and keep your body still, hop on your bike and take a ride through your neighborhood, town, or city.

Bike rides can add fun to any outing, such as going to dinner, catching a movie, or just a plain old trip to the grocery store. If none of those are on the agenda, just going out for a ride can be just as fun.

What’s great about bike rides is the versatility that the activity offers. You can do it alone, with friends, on dirt, or through a city block. It's a great way to get some exercise, save money on gas, and enjoy the great outdoors.

Museums

Though it doesn’t exactly scream “summer,” museums can be a fun, interesting, and cheap way to have an exciting outing. While all museums aren’t free, many are while others have low-cost entry fees. A quick search may uncover the fact that your city has way more free museums than you thought.

Museums are especially great for college students trying to budget, as museums can both save you money and stimulate your learning faculties. In addition, there are a variety of museums on a variety of topics, so you’re pretty much guaranteed to find one that you’re interested in.

Cooking

Cooking is a great way to have an exciting time on those summer nights that you don’t feel like leaving home. Cooking can be a lot cheaper than eating out and it also gives you the chance to make healthy, rejuvenating, and energizing meals that leave your body feeling great.

Summer is also a great opportunity to try cooking all of those dishes you’ve always wanted to try but never have, like ratatouille and beef wellington. And, it’s also a great way to spend time with loved ones and enjoy a delicious meal at the same time.

Picnics

Picnics are a great way to enjoy that beautiful summer weather for a great price. The awesome thing about picnics is that there are pretty much endless places to have them. You could do it at the local park, a duck pond, or any other patch of grass that you can find.

If you’re looking for ways to spruce up your picnic, board games, cards, and music speakers can really bring your outing to life. Picnics are also a great way to have romantic summer evenings with your special someone while not having to spend an exorbitant amount of money on dinner and a movie.

Fishing

If you’ve always wanted to fish but never had the chance, summer is the perfect time to give it a try. If you’re lucky, you might even catch yourself some dinner while you’re at it. If you have a friend or family member that is a fishing enthusiast, it’s a great way to spend some time with someone you love.

Fishing is also a great way to spend a couple of hours having some good conversations and laughs while also having a novel experience. So, when in doubt, find a rod and get out to the water and enjoy the beautiful summer weather.

Make This Summer Count

Summer is a great time to have fun while also saving money and being healthy. Though some common summer activities can be expensive, there are plenty of cheap alternatives that can give you experiences that are just as fun. So, when you’re in the mood for summer fun, keep your bank account full and your body healthy with some fun and wholesome activities.