Stocks are down, jobs are being cut, and homes are in foreclosure. Not only is he on a tight budget, he’s close to grazing status, but there’s no grass anymore because of rationed water, global warming, and the loss of his home. Looking at his now rented apartment that costs more than his house payment before the fixed income rate he had was suddenly only for a year and not a permanent part of the house that finances his life and the life of his family has drastically changed. No more backyard swings and games or barbecue days with family and friends.
Do you like so many who have been afflicted by this recession, rather, deep, deep recessions, like me, having children? Still want to take them out for a good time? Skip the movies and go to the beach or park. The movies are $10 a ticket and there are no kids discounts for the time you are available having to work any job in this economy just to get through the day, no sick days or early leaving you need every minute of extra time.
Yes, you can get a discount on a Matinee movie, but if it’s 3-D, as most kids’ movies start to be, there isn’t any discount, actually the price per ticket goes up to about $16 per ticket. So a family of 4 can expect to pay $64 not including, of course, that both of their kids want movie treats, even keeping it to a minimum of a “value” pack of popcorn, soda, and candy at $10 each, that brings us just under $100 with all taxes added and if mom and dad want to splurge on a soda to share. Dare you think of mom and dad breaking the bank to share popcorn too, there are no separate treats where everyone gets their favorites.
Skip the movies and pack the cooler and put on your bathing suit. The beach is a fun family event all day long. You can even get together with your friends who also have kids, so parents can take a break and let the kids play with each other. The beach is free, except maybe for parking, depending on if you’re willing to walk, and in this day and age, maybe walking a bit and saving money for parking will do the family good. A little extra exercise and a chance to talk about lighthearted things and just laugh and feel free from the stresses and worries of everyday life with your friends and family while keeping the troops marching closer to the best beach you’ll spend the day on. day and keep cash in your wallet, enhanced by the fact that it’s not just a rare gift with real quality time. Working as a cohesive team and truly united and sticking together and thinking you can always rent the movie, it may not be the same, even download it for free, it may not be a good copy, but nothing can replace a live moment in the sun. . with the fun of your family and any friends you want to invite.
The only state I know of that charges to be on the beach is NJ, with the exception of the private “beaches” on the lakes, which are area or club fees and usually still allow you in, albeit for a fee. rate. If you live in NJ, avoid the expensive beach clubs. Look out for beaches like Mantoloking, NJ where a full season beach pass is just $12. That means for $12 you can come to the beach every day instead of paying the price of a single 2 hour ticket to a movie . Don’t rule out a little more driving time, either, especially if you can carpool with another family to split the costs and head up the coast, even to another state, you can even out gas vs. the cost of parking and also the entrance fees plus the adventure of being in another state even during the day especially for kids its not only fun and adventurous but also educational. Many state parks have wonderful and historic sites to see, sightseeing for a short time and going to the beach too or even planning a camping trip is a wonderful way to beat the inner slump and create your own recession, a slump from depression. and chase. those sad financial problems away and just enjoy nature and the beauty that surrounds you for nothing more than your time.
Don’t forget not to overlook your public parks. If the beach is too much of a hassle due to its location or condition, take a look at some of the newer parks that offer water activities. Many campgrounds offer free day passes for families that are only there for recreation, non-motorized recreation, swimming, fishing, etc. There is a park near a place I stay at when I return to the NJ shores that costs nothing to bring the kids and the water that squirts out of the ground and out of the buckets, guaranteed to keep your kids entertained all day day. Again, I recommend getting together with any of your friends with kids the same age so the parents can have some social time and also a sense of security so there are extra eyes watching over their precious little ones so the big kids can enjoy the day as good as all the kids play and the money stays in your wallet, where it belongs for now. Until then, keep saving because once the kids leave for college, you just might meet those same friends whose kids are also off to college on those same beaches.