~by Melissa Baer

The Farmer's Daughter & Founder/Owner of Vibrant Farms

It’s summer time again and there never seems to be enough time to get to all those things you’ve always wanted to do. How can we have the best summer imaginable and do it on a budget? Let’s first see what elements make up the best summer. 

 Your Best Summer

We all know by now that possessions won’t bring you happiness – possessions may be involved, but it’s experiences that bring us the greatest joy. It’s not the boat itself that brings you joy, it’s the major wipe-outs while tubing, or the first time your son or daughter makes it up out of the water on their own on water skis. It’s not the cottage itself that makes you smile uncontrollably, it’s the space it provides to gather all the people you love the most and the oasis it creates.

After the summer is all over, it will be the moments of playfulness, spontaneity, a sense of adventure or contentedness that makes us well up with gratitude and fondness as we look back.

So how do we create those moments on a budget? This type of thing is fun for me; it’s always a challenge to see how I can create the most fun on the smallest budget! (If you play it like a game, you’ll have fun even just trying to do it). 

Growing up on the farm and having no TV, I’m very familiar with generating my own fun. I was taught to appreciate the simple things and to laugh and play at whatever I am doing. ​​​​​​​

So here are my top 5 tips for creating an epic summer you’ll never forget!...