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Can You Enjoy The Fun And Beauty Of A Wisconsin Fall Without Breaking The Bank?

September 27, 2016 Aren’t we lucky to live in a state with four seasons? (Yeah, yeah, we know, ask us again in mid-February). And autumn is so pretty with the beautiful leaves and crystalline blue skies. Get out there and enjoy it with these four easy tips. Tip #1. Create a budget with your partner/family. As we’ve said before, you can strike a balance between saying “no” to every fun thing and having to sit down before you dare to open your credit card statement. The best way to strike that balance is by creating a monthly “fun budget.” And that best way to create that budget is with the help and input of the people who have to live within it. Get your family involved in the process and they will own that budget, and be a lot less likely to push back when you say can’t afford something. You’d be amazed how frugal kids can be when something feels like “their” money vs. “the bank of Mom and Dad.” Feel like your kids are too young to deal with the reality of money? Guess what? It’s good for them. Think of how many young adults get in trouble the first time they have to stretch a paycheck or deal with a credit card. You are preparing them for a better financial future. Once you have your budget in place, everyone in your family will know exactly what you can afford to spend each month, and have a better way to decide when it’s ok to splurge or time to just say “no.” Tip #2. Scout out freebies. Every community has free events that are often just as much fun as expensive ones. Plus, can we really put a price tag on the thrill of getting something for nothing? Fall festivals and parades are big in many areas, communities often have free movie nights and farmers’ markets and public gardens are still open in many areas. Check out this   to find events around the state, two minutes of searching uncovered free Cranberry Marsh tours, free open mic nights, free state park admissions and even a “ ” link. Your community paper or website can also be a great source for events around your hometown. Tip #3. Become a social media guru. Already hanging out on Facebook, Twitter and the like? Make the most of social media by liking and following your favorite local establishments, tourist sites and more. You’ll get updated on their events and might even collect some freebies along the way. Tip #4. Go play outside. Been pushing your kids to get out from behind their screens and head outdoors? Why not follow your own good advice and join them? Fall is a great time to build leaf forts, take a bike ride, look for birds, hike in a local park and introduce your children to the games of your youth (Ghost in the Graveyard, anyone?). Get the whole gang involved, or spend some one-on-one time kicking through crunchy leaves and solving the world’s problems. Some of the best things in life really are free. Discover them for yourself this fall! You might also be interested in Financial success isn’t how much money you have — it’s feeling good about what you’re doing with the money you have. Here are some tips on how to prioritize your debts and bills, negotiate with creditors and get your late payments back on solid ground. Even in these challenging times, there's  whole lot of good happening! At Summit, we've always believed financial success happens together and that's been truer than ever this past month. Here's what "together" has meant for our community. Navigating finances after college is hard, but you can take it one lesson at a time. Get tips for managing money and paying off student debt after graduation. Navigating finances after college is hard, but you can take it one lesson at a time. Get tips for managing money and paying off student debt after graduation. If you’re not sure if something is a scam, it’s ALWAYS better to act like it could be! Fraudsters are always coming up with creative new ways to steal from you and quick to take advantage of a crisis. Here are some of the most popular recent scams to watch for. With a little planning, you may be able to actually save a little money during the holidays. Check out these tips to keep costs down without missing out on the holiday fun. Some scams go right for your money; others try to get you to part with personal information – like account numbers, Social Security numbers, passwords, and personal identification numbers (PINs). Find out what you should look for and how to protect yourself. The holidays can be stressful & that’s why it’s important to prioritize your self-care. Use these tips to reduce stress without draining your bank account. Your home is your castle, your refuge and—let’s face it—a place where it can be very easy to sink a big chunk of money. Which is why you’re always on the lookout for “sweet spots”:  those home improvements that add comfort, safety or a little zing of style while you’re living in your house and will boost the asking price when it’s time to sell. And if you can find a way to save money on those improvements or cut home expenses at the same time, well that sweet spot just got a little sweeter! 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