YOUR FRIENDS' ACTIVITY

    Make the Most of The End of Summer - For Free!

    By | Work + Money – Mon, Aug 23, 2010 8:58 PM EDT

    photo credit: Silke Dietze/istockphoto credit: Silke Dietze/istockSummer can be freeing in more ways than one. Here, free get-happy ideas for the season - and beyond.

    1. Celebrate an Obscure Holiday
    Some suggestions to get you started: National Ice Cream Sandwich Day (August 2), National Watermelon Day (August 3), or National Sandcastle Day (August 17).

    2. Head to the Beauty Counters
    At your local mall, try out a fall fragrance or a new shade of lipstick or eyeshadow. Make sure to ask for a product sample before you leave the counter and get a fall beauty fix for free. (Just say "No, thanks" with a smile when the sales pitch starts.)

    Related: The Vacation That Doesn't Cost a Dime

    3. Go to the Theater
    See a dance performance or choral concert for free by offering your services as a volunteer usher. Call local performance groups to see what opportunities exist in your community.

    4. Unplug for a Day
    Or an hour. That means no cell phone, no television, and no Internet access. (If you absolutely can't force yourself to disconnect and you have a Mac, check out macfreedom.com, a free downloadable service that disables your Internet for an amount of time that you specify.)

    Related: Easy Tips for Thrifty Summer Trips

    5. Find Cheap Thrills
    From reveling in the morning sunshine with a cup of coffee to late-night stargazing, warm weather offers a chance to delight in some of life's sweetest can't-be-bought experiences. "Finding priceless pleasures is a reminder that life can be enjoyed without extravagance," says Heather Wagner, author of Happiness on $10 a Day. Try one of these free ways to escape and make the most of summer.

    6. Rinse Off
    After a walk or run, dash through a neighbor's sprinkler - it's the best cool-down we can think of.

    Related: The Most Romantic Ways to Savor Summer

    By Anna Davies

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