One of the biggest topics we discuss with clients is how to create and maintain a budget. Knowing what is coming in and what is going out is important, no matter where you are at in your financial journey. You could be working on being debt free, planning for a baby, looking to buy a house or car, or working towards retiring. No matter where you are at, it is always nice to know what you can do around town that is fun and inexpensive. I use a few go-to resources around town that you might like as well. For those of you who do not live in the Des Moines’ area, take these ideas and apply them to your own city!
• Kids eat free:
• Kids eat free:This is a list of Des Moines area restaurants that offer free (or almost free) meal options for kids. If you do choose to take your child or grandchild out, why not check out this list before you decide where to go to find a lower cost option!
• Free things to do around town:
This website is great for looking at free attractions around town. Check out the event calendar for ideas of things to do. There are other great resources on this page as well!
• Parks and trails:
There are a lot of great parks and trails in the Des Moines area. Every weekend this summer, you can try to pick out a different park or trail to explore and see parts of our great city that maybe you hadn’t seen before!
• Libraries:
Look to your local library calendar for potential activities. Check out a few good books for some outdoor reading. I also like to look at their movie selection, which is cheaper than Redbox/streaming services!
• Concerts:
There are many different concert series around town that are free to attend. Jordan Creek Mall has concerts on Sundays, Valley Junction has free music each Thursday night during their farmer’s market, and the downtown farmer’s market on Saturday mornings usually has music on different corners as well!
Budget-friendly activities can be fun and exciting! Why not challenge yourself to seek out some new ways of entertainment that aren’t budget-busters this summer?
- Caleb Pearson, Compass Advisor