Making Memories without Breaking the Bank.

Making memories without breaking the bank.

“Mom! Please, can I have this?”

“Dad! Can I have this now?”

These two questions are some of the few questions I hate. When my kids were little, they would ask sweetly at first and then louder and louder if the answer was “no,” which it was most of the time.

I have been the money person in our family since we got married. I am even an Accredited Financial Counselor. My kids love starting sentences with, “My financial advisor said…” and I love knowing they mean me. But that also means they learned early about how to make memories without breaking the bank. Making memories can make or break your budget. Making memories without breaking the bank takes practice.

When our kids were young, my husband and I decided to do activities with the kids that stayed within our budget. Our planning usually included a small amount of money to allow the kids to buy souvenirs. For my son, it usually was a toy car or a rock. My girls would look for toys or food. We tried to steer them away from purchasing food when they were little, but as they grew, we allowed them to make their own decisions with the amount we had budgeted. They often regretted the short-term gratification they initially enjoyed with food when they watched their brother play or admire his treasure later that evening. 

While in Germany, we walked Volksmarches. When we returned to the States, we continued to look for similar free activities. Most state capitals have created volksmarch routes that allow people to see the capital and learn some history. We also looked for state and national parks where we could wander. Part of my plan was to stock up on snacks and sandwiches and fill water bottles to reduce food costs. My husband carried a backpack full of supplies while he pushed a stroller. I was in charge of whoever was not in the stroller. I often thought he had the easier job.

Whenever we PCS’d, we would look for interesting places near our new home. Once the kids entered elementary school, they would each select a place they wanted to visit. We worked hard to make it to those locations. But sometimes, the budget simply wouldn’t allow for one of their dream outings.

In Kansas City, my son wanted to go to the racetrack outside of Kansas City. A NASCAR race was outside our budget, but a BBQ competition at the stadium was within our reach. We ate BBQ and saw many classic cars and some NASCAR pace cars. My son declared this was better than a race because it was quieter, and he got to eat a lot of food.

While stationed in California, we saved money to purchase a year pass to Disneyland. We could not afford the one that allowed us 365 days of access, so we bought the one that included every day except Saturdays. We would visit the park on Fridays or long weekends, explore Los Angeles on Saturdays, and return to the parks on Sundays.

With some planning and creativity, we have made priceless memories without breaking the bank. What are some ways you create memories without breaking the bank?