CHEAP THRILLS: ICONIC SUMMER FOOD + FUN ON A SMALL BUDGET

Summertime joy is meant to be shared. Why do you think popsicles come in twos? But these days, who can afford steak BBQs and pricy piña coladas?

With gas skyrocketing, and the soaring cost of living, no wonder budget-consciousness is at an all-time high. But don’t let a doom-and-gloom economy cramp your style.

Here are four of my favorite summer yummies each paired with their perfect activity AND suggested background song, and all for $25 OR LESS per date. So let the good times roll!!!

Knockoff Dairy Queen Blizzards + Scavenger Hunt

Summertime tastes like ice cream. And who doesn’t love a lick of delicious Dairy Queen? Well, here’s your cheap, flavorful alternative. Buy a tub or carton of vanilla ice cream, whatever’s on sale, and a box of Oreos or a Skor chocolate bar.

Put a scoop or two of vanilla ice cream in a small container, and while it’s softening up, crush your chosen sidekick. A plastic bag that meets a sturdy shoe does the trick for me. Then, grab your spoon, mix it together, and voilà! A custom-made blizzard.

For healthy alternatives use nuts (pecans, yes!) and frozen fruits. Then, head to the local park and try to find a four-leafed clover. Not up for a scavenger hunt? Play bush or tree, smash each other over the head with ripe dandelions, or try whistling a tune with a blade of grass.

Alternatively, you can head to your backyard. When was the last time you ran through a sprinkler? (Too long.) How about peg a friend with a super-soaker or water balloon? (Same.)

Featured Jam: Ella Fitzgerald, Summertime

“Summertime

And the livin' is easy

Fish are jumpin'

And the cotton is high

Oh your daddy's rich

And your ma' is good lookin'

So hush

Little baby

Baby, don't you cry.”

Gourmet Mac n’ Cheese + Ghost Tales

Comfort food city, and a staple for kids, college students, and anyone who needs a fast-yet-wholesome meal. Mac n' cheese is scrumptious on its own, but I grew up adding stuff to it all the time and was surprised to learn others didn’t know this secret upgrade.

First, go grab a 3-pack of Camp’s Classic Cheddar Mac n’ Cheese ($15.99 when you subscribe and save + $4.99 for shipping, which means only about $7/box). Then, on a rainy Sunday, make it gourmet!

So, after you cook it, add in chopped-up hotdogs, broccoli, ground beef, green onions, tomatoes, bacon, or whatever your heart desires. Lastly, heap it into colorful bowls and cozy up in blankets to tell your scariest campesque ghost stories.

Featured Jam: Golden Earring, Twilight Zone

“Yeah, there's a storm on the loose

Sirens in my head

Wrapped up in silence, all circuits are dead

Cannot decode, my whole life spins into a frenzy

Help, I'm steppin' into the twilight zone

Place is a madhouse, feels like being cold

My beacon's been moved under moon and star

Where am I to go now that I've gone too far? (Oh oh oh).”

No-Fire-Required S’mores + Stargazing

You’ll never forget where you were and who was with you when you saw a shooting star. And nothing goes better with a big, open night sky than S’mores, amIright?

In case you don’t know, S’mores are made by taking a melted marshmallow, typically fire-roasted on a stick, and sandwiching it against a chocolate square between two Graham crackers.

But starting a fire isn’t practical for everyone (not to mention it’s dangerous). So I’ve discovered that you can have the same effect by using a spoonful of Jet-Puffed marshmallow spread, plus a dollop of Nutella, and smooshing them together between two Graham crackers. (Slurp.)

Easily transportable to any park, beach, backyard, or rooftop near you. You won’t be disappointed and may even like my combo better than the real thing. Are they calling for clear skies tonight in your neighborhood?

Featured Jam: Perry Como, Catch a Falling Star

“Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket

Never let it fade away

Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket

Save it for a rainy day.”

Party Popcorn + Curbside Bingo

People-watching should be recognized as a sport. Chances are you already know a hot spot in your area with high foot traffic. Whether that’s at the beach, on the boardwalk, in a trendy part of downtown, or at the mall (rainy day backup plan).

Microwave however many bags of popcorn you need (one per person). Once it’s done popping, carefully open the bag. While it’s still warm, dump in a box of Smarties and shake, shake, shake. The sweet Smarties will melt just enough to stick to the salty, buttery kernels, MMM-mmm.

Then, take a piece of paper, again, one per person, and ruler out a bingo card grid. Pick things that you have a high probability of seeing at your predetermined location.

Everyone has the same 24 items (because the middle square is free), HOWEVER, they’re scattered in different spots on their individualized bingo card. So the required combination of five to win will be unique to each player.

Need a few suggestions to get you started? Dog under 15 lbs, dog over 50 lbs, a yellow hat, inappropriate bumper sticker, convertible with the top off, a retro baby stroller, a person singing out loud, someone wearing a bomber jacket. Happy snacking and hunting!

Featured Jam: Nick Gilder, Hot Child in the City

“She goes downtown

The boys all stop and stare

When she goes downtown

She walks like she just don't care, yeah

Hot child in the city

Hot child in the city

Runnin' wild and lookin' pretty, yeah

Hot child in the city.”