Welcome

Thanks so much for visiting. I am hoping to give people, (be they single or families) ideas of things they can do for fun, while staying in the budget- all locally here in Salt Lake City. I will be focusing on three categories; Events around town; Weekly suggestions of outdoor activities; Weekly suggestion of an indoor activity; and a (usually family friendly) local business. If you have any suggestions on things to add in upcoming post, please add it to the comments. Let's start saving money without sacrificing fun!

Friday, July 1, 2011

Pac 12 Day

Today is Pac 12 day. We're celebrating the U of U starting with the Pac 12 this season instead of the MWC. There is a lot of stuff going on around town today, as well as down at the capitol. Make sure to check it out. Other than that, it's the holiday weekend. I'm sure everyone has plenty to do - so new blog post next week. Stay tuned.

Friday, June 24, 2011

First Days of Summer: Make Them Count

**Events Around Town**

Rocky Mountain Raceways 15th Anniversary Celebration

When:
Saturday June 25 (arrive before 6 PM)
Where:
Rocky Mountain Raceway
Cost:
FREE, as long as you arrive on time.

Rocky Mountain Raceway is celebrating it's 15 years of racing by throwing a bash befitting of RMR. They will be offering free spectator admission. There will be mascots, bounce houses, live bands and a car show.

Also, there will be the "ASA Weekly Racing featuring: Maverik Modifieds, Mini Cups, Hornets, Figure-8 Cars and Western States Equipment Figure-8 Trains"

This would be a ton of fun to take kids out to, especially if you have boys. Enjoy!


Taylorsville Dayzz (no, I did not misspell "days")

When: June 23, 24, 25, and 27
Where 4849 S. 2700 West
Cost: Some events are free, and others have a small cost.

So much going on, I am not going to cover it all. There will be a carnival, family fun run, symphony and a lot more where that came from. This will be a fun family event. Make sure to take your sunscreen :) Please go to the link below for a complete run down of what this event has to offer:

http://www.taylorsvilleut.gov/about.dayzz.html


Sandy Arts Guild’s Annual Summer Fundraiser

When:
Saturday June 25 8:00 PM
Where:
Sandy Amphitheater
Cost:
Premium $10, Priority $10, Lawn $5

A great celebration of music from previous generations. The roster includes Swing and Jazz, a performance by the Reunion Band, as well as performances from singers and dancers state wide. While this event can get pricey, depending on the amount of people you will have to pay to bring - the money goes back into the community, and the arts in general. Great cause, and some great fun :)



**This Weeks Outdoor Fun Suggestion**

Looks like it's going to get HOT this weekend!


Memory Grove Stroll
Cost: FREE

Take your family, or some friends up to the grove for a nice stroll. In the evenings especially, the temperature seems to run just a bit cooler there, and there is a lot of shade, running water and other things to keep you cool.

It has educational value as well, featuring many memorials to soldiers as well as monuments. All of this is an addition to the serene backdrop, and beautiful landscaping that makes Memory Grove my personal, all time favorite, Salt Lake park.

It has some areas that are really nice and easy to walk, as well as a slightly more challenging uphill trail that takes you in and out of the grove. Also, a great spot for photography, so bring your camera!



**This Week's Indoor Suggestion**


It's gotten pretty hot this past week as we've warmed our way right into summer, so I won't knock you if you wanna keep it indoors this weekend.


Indoor Camping Party
Cost: as little or as much as you want!

With kids this is a lot of fun, because they're genetically predisposed to love anything that has to do with a fort, (don't quote me on that). Make a big fort, that looks as much like a tent as you can get it. Make some s'mores in the kitchen with the microwave or oven. When nighttime rolls around, turn out the lights and use candles to light the room.

With friends, I would always suggest some beverages of your choice, and maybe some games (drinking, or otherwise) of your choice, as well as camping related foods. Although adults don't appreciate it as much as kids, feel free to decorate as much or as little as you like to go along with your theme. Usually, you're not going to have to spend a lot of money on this, and can designate friends to bring their own drinks or food to contribute :)

**Local Business Suggestion for the Week**

Hogle Zoo (Dari's Birthday Party)


When:
Saturday (10:00 AM - 2:00 PM)
Cost: Regular Admission

They will be celebrating the oldest African Elephant's birthday with a lot of fun, and free pie, compliments of Village Inn. There will be crafts for kids as well as a dancing station. If you plan to go to the Zoo this summer, this would be a great day to make it. For more information on this event, please visit the link below:

http://www.hoglezoo.org/events_experiences/events_calendar/06-25-2011/dari-s-party




*If there are great things that you know about, please add them in the comments. Let's get this going so that everyone can enjoy the little suggestions or ideas we have to enjoy our time on the cheap!

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Father's Day Weekend: Not Just for Dads

**Events Around Town**

Free Movie Night

When: Friday nights, 3-15 of June
Where: a different park each week.
Cost: FREE

The City of Salt Lake is funding this event, showing family freindly flicks. It will include free popcorn. For the complete list of events, please go to:

http://www.slcgov.com/PublicServices/slcevents/friday_night_flicks.htm


Brewfest

When: June 18
Where Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort
Cost: $1.00 per sample

There should be several Utah breweries here to offer samples of 2-3 different kinds of beer for only a dollar a sample. Also, there should be a lot of other fun going on including live music and a father's day BBQ. This sounds like a blast! Don't miss it :)


**This Weeks Outdoor Fun Suggestion**

This weekend is again going to be another fantastic forecast. Let's make sure we all get out and take advantage of it!


SWIMMING
Cost: free, if you can find a friend with a pool.

All of us that have access to a pool, be it our apartment, condo or home... let's all promise to offer to take some friend's swimming this week/weekend. This is a fun way to get together with some friends, and enjoy some free fun. If you don't have a pool you can usually gain access to community pools at a fair price.

If you want to make a day of it, go a little early and get a good spot. If your pool allows it, pack a cooler with some food and drinks for the kids and yourself. Just don't forget to use sunblock and drink a lot of fluids if you're going to be out in the sun :)



**This Weeks Indoor Suggestion**

Just in case you cannot get out due to transportation or any other reason I can think of, it's always good to have something to do at home to break the monotony.

Game Night
Cost: as little or as much as you want!

Everyone has at least a deck of cards in your house. If doing this as a family activity, get some snacks and a couple board or card games and gather your family around a table, throw on some music and have a great time :)

If doing this as a gathering with other friends, still get some snacks... but you can also try to do some drinking games(plug: drink responsibly). There are tons of games you can play using dice, cards, or even movies. Go ahead and Google them if you think this is something you might be interested in.

**Local Business Suggestion for the Week**

Seven Peaks Waterpark

When:
This Weekend
Where:
: Seven Peaks Waterpark
Cost: Regular Admission is astronomical at 24.95 per person. Under three is free... However, if you visit a Utah Wendy's you can get discount passes! I'm not sure of the entire discount, but I bet it'll be a great deal :) (if anyone does know what the actual discount is, please feel free to share that information in the comments section.)

Please be prepared that you will also have to pay for tubes if you want them, and I've also heard that parking can at times be a paid service as well. This place is notorious for trying to bleed you dry, so normally I wouldn't suggest it - but if you're going to go, now is the best time with the discount passes at Wendy's.


**Local Hand-Made Artisan of the Week**

Name/Brand:
DeviAnne's Accessories
Website:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/DeviAnnesAccessories?ref=pr_faveshops
Claim to Fame:
Handmade jewelry, necklaces and earrings. Mostly beadwork, but lovely :)

Shop owner has been making jewelry for quite some time, but just got her shop up and is currently running a grand opening sale! 10% off all orders by entering the code LOVEME2 during checkout on her Etsy page.

She's a devoted mother of three who began making jewelry as a past-time and has finally been kind enough to share her art with the rest of us.

BUY LOCAL, BUY HANDMADE!! <--- this is a great way to directly support your local families. Check out the shop today :)


*If there are great things that you know about, please add them in the comments. Let's get this going so that everyone can enjoy the little suggestions or ideas we have to enjoy our time on the cheap!

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Groupon of Awesome

Hopefully everyone knows about Groupon... if not, you should got to their page and sign up to receive great email promotions. They can save a lot of cash. Here is the groupon I received today. It's to buy a giftcard for Epic Casual Dining (yes, I'm aware that the name if this restaurant is an oxy-moron in itself). It's good until tomorrow, but if you go to the link you can purchase a $30 giftcard for only $15 dollars. You simply cannot beat half off. Please view at the link below!

http://www.groupon.com/salt-lake-city/deals/epic-casual-dining?date=20110609&p=@counter&s=body&utm_campaign=epic-casual-dining&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&c=button&utm_content=all-deals_salt-lake-city&user=efc752f36ea675ee5dfe3efce1a7fa003a97e6c7bbbe428ea49dba67f9f2131f

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Keep Loving that Sunshine

**Events Around Town**

Free Movie Night

When: Friday nights, 3-15 of June
Where: a different park each week.
Cost: FREE

The City of Salt Lake is funding this event, showing family freindly flicks. It will include free popcorn. For the complete list of events, please go to:

http://www.slcgov.com/PublicServices/slcevents/friday_night_flicks.htm

15th Street Gallery: Watercolor Exhibition


When: Saturday June 10
Where:
: 1515 E. 1519 South (15th street gallery)
Cost: unlisted, assumed free.

This is an annual Spring Opening Exhibition. It has been going on since may, and will wrap up in the coming weeks. It would be ideal to see, as it will be showing wide ranges of different styles of watercolors.

37th Annual Scottish Days and Highland Games


When: June 10-11

Where Thanksgiving Point
Cost: $15 for adults, Kids under 11 are FREE

There will be a competition in Dancing, Piping and Drumming. I'm sure there will be plenty of vendor booths and activities galore as well as a concert on Saturday night. You can buy a concert only ticket for $8.00.

For more information please visit: http://utahscots.org/#/highland-games/4527880321 Or, go to the Thanksgiving Point website.


**This Weeks Outdoor Fun Suggestion**

This weekend is again going to be another fantastic forecast. Let's make sure we all get out and take advantage of it!


Potluck BBQ
Cost: cost of food!

Get together with friends or family this weekend for a BBQ. You can do this at home, or pack up a little hibachi grill and take it to the park. A lot of parks (liberty included) have plenty of un-rented spaces that you can do this if you don't have the space at home or at a friend's.

To keep the cost low, let everyone bring their own meat and a side of their choosing. Good home-cooked food in your guts will make you feel great! It's also always a pleasure to see friends or family.



**This Weeks Indoor Suggestion**

Just in case you cannot get out due to transportation or any other reason I can think of, it's always good to have something to do at home to break the monotony.

Movie Night
Cost: as little or as much as you want!

This can be done alone, with a couple, with a family or even as a party. If being done with you and a significant other, I would probably suggest keeping it simple. Cute romantic comedy, and popcorn should do the trick

If being done mainly for the kids, make sure to get lots of snacks! Cinema foods are the best. Popcorn is a good cheap snack, or giant pretzles from the frozen foods section of your local grocery store. You can have them make their own movie tickets earlier in the day, for an extra activity and require they be presented. Sheet off the doors, and set it up as though it were a real theater.

You can also do this with adults. Find a theme for whatever movie you're watching, and decorate accordingly, also coordinating the food and drinks. Don't hesitate to ask your friends to bring food or drinks to chip in, this keeps it affordable for everyone.

**Local Business Suggestion for the Week**

Tracy Aviary
Cost:

Adults $7.00 $6.00
Children 2 and under Free Free
Children 3-12 $5.00 $4.00

This is a great place to go to see some awesome birds you wouldn't usually get to see. Many of the birds are rare or endangered. There are also events going on often, exhibits, and activities that people of all walks can take advantage of. Please visit their website for more information

http://www.tracyaviary.org/birds.php


*If there are great things that you know about, please add them in the comments. Let's get this going so that everyone can enjoy the little suggestions or ideas we have to enjoy our time on the cheap!

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Good Morning June

This post will give a general outline of what's going on in SLC this week. Cheap, or Free suggestions that entire families or adults can enjoy!


**Events Around Town**

Free Movie Night

When: Friday nights, 3-15 of June
Where: a different park each week.
Cost: FREE

The City of Salt Lake is funding this event, showing family freindly flicks. It will include free popcorn. For the complete list of events, please go to:

http://www.slcgov.com/PublicServices/slcevents/friday_night_flicks.htm


Gay Pride

When: Saturday June 3- Sunday June 4
Where: Downtown (
400 S and 200 E )
Cost: $10.00 per person

There should be some fun, entertainment, as well as vendors and a lot of members from the local community. A great chance to get outside and play! For the full schedule please to go:

http://utahpridefestival.org/festivities/2011-utah-pride-schedule



**This Weeks Outdoor Fun Suggestion**

This weekend is looking particularly lovely according to KSL. I would definitely support getting your family outside for some much needed Vitamin D.

Park Picnic
Cost: cost of food!

Pack up your kids or loved one and your best park blanket. Given the fact that we just passed memorial weekend there are still a lot of great sales in the stores for picnic foods, paper plates and all the needs to this venture. Pack up your frisbee, bring your dog, make an event of it. If it's just you and your sweetheart make it special by bringing champagne glasses and beverage of your choice to fill them... go at sunset and pick a park with a good view of the valley.



**This Weeks Indoor Suggestion**

Just in case you cannot get out due to transportation or any other reason I can think of, it's always good to have something to do at home to break the monotony.

Casino Party
Cost: as little or as much as you want!

All you need for this is a deck of cards. If you want to do this with your family, you can always do it with go fish, or other child oriented card game. Play for M&M's, chores, or even play for a prize :)

If you're playing with your friends you can use poker chips (you can get plastic ones at Wal*Mart for a few dollars) and either play just for fun, or put a little wager in there (everyone throws in a dollar). Or you can even play with pennies, or food. Have your friends bring a dish to share, or beer (if you drink).

You can enhance the experience by decorating accordingly. Get out the x-mas lights, make a cute sign with glitter, however the moment moves you.


**Local Business Suggestion for the Week**

Living Planet Aquarium
Cost:

$9 for adults
$8 for seniors, students and military
$7 children (3 to 17)
Ages 2 and under are FREE


This place is fantastic at any age. Even as an adult, seeing the sting-rays feels amazing to me. I would suggest it for anyone. Kids, especially seem to enjoy it. There is a lot of kids to do there, and a lot of the exhibits are very informative or interactive. It's growing every day too, so if you've been there in the past there may be something fun and new there that you and/or your family could enjoy. For more information about the Living Planet Aquarium please go to:

http://www.thelivingplanet.com/visitor_information.html


*If there are great things that you know about, please add them in the comments. Let's get this going so that everyone can enjoy the little suggestions or ideas we have to enjoy our time on the cheap!