My summer staycation: 15 things to do for under $15

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Ciara Walker, Staff Writer

Student life is demanding, especially if you come from humble beginnings and don’t have the financial support of your parents. What’s worse than being broke while carrying a full load of units? I’ll tell you:  Being a parent on a student budget. I firmly believe we should work hard, but play harder. A person shouldn’t have to study all year long only to spend their free time working. People need a chance to relax. Studies have shown that relaxation techniques dramatically reduce stress levels. Pair relaxation with passion and you have a recipe for a rejuvenated mind. Rejuvenate your mind on the cheap by doing these 15 things.

Spend a night at the museum

I wanted to visit some museums, so my family and I visited the Skirball Cultural Center/Noah’s Ark and the California African American History Museum (CAAHM) in Los Angeles. Cost of admission? Free (almost). We attended on a Thursday and only had to pay for parking at the CAAHM, which cost $10. San Diego museums offers free admission to California residents on select Tuesdays. That means all you have to pay for is transportation. You can catch a ride on the Sprinter from campus to the Escondido transit center, and then hop on an MTS Express bus to downtown San Diego (day passes are only $12- valid for Sprinter, Breeze, Trolley, MTS and Coaster). Pack a lunch to save even more money. Visit the following websites for more information. (http://www.gonctd.com/ http://www.sdmts.com/mtscr/BusRoutes.aspx,http://www.sdmts.com/mtscr/BusRoutes.aspx )**Monthly Sprinter passes are available for $40 through the Parking and Commuter Services office (FCB 107).

Go get wet

Even though I’m scared of sharks, I am a beach bum by nature. A trip to the beach to soak up some rays or catch a wave does a body good. Plus, the sun is a free source of Vitamin D. Just make sure you lather up with sunscreen and try to avoid the peak hours of sun exposure when the rays are more dangerous. Avoid sharks altogether by visiting the Wave Waterpark in Vista or any of the North County Community Pools. The Wave offers discounted admission during the hours of 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on select days. The community pools are normally $5 admission and they are also free on certain days.

Get out into nature

I love hiking and lucky for me, North County is filled with trails. My favorite trails include Iron Mountain, Potato Chip Rock and Blue Sky. I love inhaling scents from the various plants that awaken your senses. The natural aromatherapy makes your trek relaxing. Be sure to pack plenty of water and snacks. I picked up a guide of all the trails at the San Marcos Community Center information desk. Bicycling is also fun, especially if you do so with a group. If you don’t own a bike, you can rent one for $10/hr from Wheel Fun Rentals at the Oceanside Pier.

Go smell the roses

If you enjoy flowers, the San Diego Botanical Gardens offers $10 admission and the Carlsbad Flower Field is just $14 (visit their website for season information). Pair it with a picnic at the park with snacks from home instead of going to a restaurant (Sunset, San Elijo & Woodland park are my favorites).

Pick up a hobby

You can spend time with your hobbies or developing new ones such as painting. To get the basic necessities, you can subscribe to Michael’s emails for coupons as they frequently have sales. To save even more money, you can start a book club and just check out your books at the library. While you’re there, spend an afternoon reading to preschoolers. For word lovers, journal and take pictures to document your 101 days of summer.

Pay it forward

You cannot buy blessings per say, but you can invest in someone else’s belief in humanity. “Pay it forward,” by doing random acts of kindness like paying for the customer behind you while at Starbucks. Find something to do for someone else. The $15 you spend will be priceless to them. Don’t have $15? Volunteer at the Boys & Girls Club, a senior home or a food pantry. All it costs is your time.

Exercise

 

Lastly, what better way to wrap up summer than by getting in shape? Shed the extra pounds from endless ice cream nights, food trucks, fairs and festivals by dropping trying out a class at the Campus gym, YMCA or local fitness center. Test your full body strength with cross fit training and invite a partner if you’re competitive.
Whatever it is that you choose to do, make it unforgettable.