Fall Family Adventures at a Low Cost

In the world of Financial Independence there is a constant search for low cost adventures. This search becomes increasingly important when you start to add more and more members to your family. We are a party of five, so I feel like we are always relentlessly searching for affordable outing options — especially in my favorite season of the year. Now that Autumn is officially here, I have been racking my brain and scouring the internet for cozy family voyages. It passes so quickly, that if you don’t act fast, you may miss all of the wonderful Fall events.

*Update — We were able to get to the Fair. There was a groupon that reduced the price, but once inside the rides cost money and the temptation for food was pretty difficult to resist.

We have extended family in both New Hampshire and Maine, and one of the nicest times to take a drive to visit them is during the Fall. Beautiful red and gold leaves line the way, which creates such a peaceful drive. This type of trip is valuable in many ways. One, it costs as much as a tank of gas. This is especially true if you pack a cooler with drinks and snacks for the kids to munch on during the ride. Avoiding costly food purchases is one goal that we always remember when making the family trek up North.

So, if you have family to visit or would like to stay at a now reduced price lake side cabin (it’s officially the off season), this is the time to hop in the car and do it!

If apple picking, hay rides and corn mazes are your thing, the choices abound in Massachusetts! There are so many to choose from that you really need to have a game plan and do some research. Some locations only have apples and hay rides. Other locations only have petting zoos and corn fields. I have yet to find a place that has it all, but if you have found one, let me know in the comments below!

As for now, we are choosing between Connors Farm in Danvers, MA, and the Red Apple Farm in Phillipston, MA. One was recommended by a co-worker (Red Apple), and he was sure to add that parking was free, entrance was free, and you basically could have a totally free day if you didn’t want the yummy apples or the tempting BBQ. Decisions…decisions…

Did you get your costumes yet? I did not, but the kids have it all planned out. They will be baby Groot, Teenage Groot, Big Groot, and we will be mom and dad. HA! This is totally do-able, and this year I just might make the Halloween Costumes. The Fall brings out the creative side in many people. The air outside has a chill, and I am more likely to stay inside searching for things to do. Soon enough, out comes the glue gun. Making Halloween Costumes takes some planning, but you can stand to save some money while spending time with your family. Either way, it’s such a fun time to think of themed costumes, and go out for a late evening walk around the neighborhood.

Once it starts getting colder outside, the movies become a destination for us at least once or twice. We are lucky enough to have a military discount for certain movie theaters, and we try to get to the movies as a family 3–4 times year. Without this discount, we would only go to the movies during matinee times, and we would always use our theater specific rewards points to qualify for free tickets. We do not allow the kids to purchase drinks at the theaters, and we try to eat an actual meal prior to going. This is the best way we’ve found to keep attending the movies, while not ruining our budget.

Over the years we have collected good quality artistic supplies, and like clockwork, when the Fall rolls around we take those items out and begin to create with them. It is during this more peaceful time that we create hand made birthday cards with water color paint and stamps. We also use YouTube to find inspiration and improve our painting techniques as a family. It’s strange how it all came about. The tradition developed organically once the kids saw me painting and decided to join in. Now they each have their own pad of heavy weight paper, and share paint pallets.

The best part of visiting the zoo in the Fall season is that the animals are much more active in the cooler weather, so you get to see more of interactivity.

So, I encourage you all to take in the Fall through each of your senses. The crisp northern breeze, the delicious spiced treats, and most important, the traditions created with your loved ones.

Will you create a new tradition or two this Fall?

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