Budget-Friendly Labor Day Activities to Try Out in 2019

By Quinisha Jackson

While summer isn’t over until the last week of September, Labor Day weekend is known as the unofficial end of the summer season. 

This probably means your summer vacations have come to a close and you may already be reminiscing about your outdoor activities with friends, warm evenings out on the town, and weekends away. 

Perhaps you went a bit overboard when it came to spending money. If your summer adventures left your bank account looking a bit slim, no need to fret. We’re here to help you end your summer on a high note, while you save money this Labor Day weekend. 

Here are seven Labor Day activities you can enjoy without blowing your budget. 

 

  1. A Day at the Pool/Beach

Your local community pool is probably one of the first places that will close its facilities after Labor Day weekend. So, make sure you plan one last day at the pool if this is the case. 

Most community pools are free or charge a small fee for all-day access, so it beats shelling out major bucks to splash around at a water park.  

The same goes for the beach – if you’re lucky enough to live close to a lake or ocean. Pack up a few snacks, drinks, towels, and beach balls, and enjoy a day of fun in the sun and chilling at the beach. It’s likely that your only expense will be parking. 

 

  1. Picnic at the Park

If you want to plan a romantic summer date or enjoy time with a group of friends, a park picnic is another great way to close out your summer. Put together a simple but refreshing summer spread (think salad, sandwiches, and fresh fruit), lay out a blanket, and enjoy the atmosphere and good vibes. 

 

  1. Final Get-Together with Friends

Time will fly once summer ends, so it might be a good idea to have one last group pow-wow before everyone’s schedules gets super hectic. 

It’s pretty simple. All you have to do is fire up the grill and invite friends over for good food, games, and laughs. It’s likely that everyone will appreciate those moments once they’re back to the regular hustle and bustle of post-summer life.

 

  1. Attend a Local Sports Event

Whether you’re a sports expert or novice, you can’t help but catch the summer spirit when you’re at a baseball or football game. It’s the perfect opportunity to relax with a cold brew and hot dog, and cheer on your favorite team. Or, if you’re like me, just smile and pretend you understand what’s going on. 

Either way, hearing the chants of excited fans and snapping selfies at the stadium will give you some good memories as you move into the fall season.

 

  1. Take a Road Trip

One of my favorite things to do in the summer is to go on road trips. It’s liberating to spend a few hours listening to music while traveling on the open road. 

So, take a page out of my book and spend your holiday weekend traveling to a new place. Use this last summer road trip guide to channel your inner nomad. Even if the drive is just a couple hours away, you can enjoy seeing new things before the long weekend is over.

 

  1. Enjoy a Staycation

On the other hand, if you’ve done quite a bit of traveling over the summer already, you might find it more appealing to have fun close to home. Whether you decide to have a movie night or explore your town, there’s really no wrong way to do a staycation. You’ll get the chance to enjoy some much-needed time off and save money. A win-win!

 

  1. Get Organized

Okay, so this is probably the least exciting of the activities on this list. Still, a long weekend is a great time to catch up on your to-do list. If you’re like me, you’re probably always telling yourself, “If I just had one more day in the week, I’d do (insert task you’ve been putting off).” Well, here’s that extra day!

You don’t have to dedicate your entire weekend to organizing but try to complete at least one or two tasks. For example, take a couple of hours to declutter your inbox, clean out your closet, or update your resume. Just think: That updated resume can lead to a higher-paying gig, and you can bring in some extra cash from selling your unused items. 

Getting organized doesn’t sound so bad now, does it?

End on a High Note 

Whatever you choose to do over Labor Day weekend, make sure you spend your last days of summer enjoying yourself and getting a jump on your to-do list for the fall. This way you’ll look back on your summer with fond memories as you get ready to dive into the cooler weather months.

Quinisha Jackson
Quinisha is a freelance marketing consultant and writer based in California. She writes about topics on finance, careers, and diversity and inclusion, with bylines in the New York Times, Medium, and Business Insider.

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