Apartment Blog

Summer is here and everyone is antsy to get out of work and do something fun! But oh, what did you say…can’t go out because it costs an arm & a leg? That’s why we’ve assembled a list of relatively inexpensive activities for the summertime!

Rollar bladding-whether you have your own skates or not, this is an activity that can be less than $10!

Local sports game-it could be high school, college or even a minor league game. Tickets for the Norfolk Tides, the AAA baseball team, are about $8.00 per person! Just eat dinner before hand and you’re good to go!

Local book store-you could sit in on free readings for various story titles. Barnes and Nobles has events almost every day in the Hampton Roads area, including a group dedicated to help you overcome writers block!

Visit a museum-how better to spend a hot summer afternoon than in an air conditioned museum. Not all museums are boring either! The Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk only costs $7.00 per adult.  You could definitely spend hours staring at beautiful pieces of art work.

Festivals-the amount of carnivals, country fairs or festivals always increase during the summer. My favorite to attend in Norfolk is the Bayou Boogaloo & Cajun Food Festival at Town Point Park. For just $10.00 per person, you can see live entertainment; walk through the amazing New Orleans Art Gallery and more! For just a few bucks more, you can sample some of the mouthwatering Cajun spiced crawfish, jambalaya, gumbo and alligator.

Take a tour-whether it’s of an area you’re not that familiar with or perhaps a historical tour of the city you live in. Williamsburg and Jamestown, Virginia have great tours to really experience the true history our state offers.

Wine Tastings-local winery shops, such as Total Wine in Downtown Norfolk, have free wine tastings in their stores weekly. You would certainly become a connoisseur in no time!

Including some of these activities into your summer plans will ensure you have a slam packed adventurous season! More inexpensive and creative ideas for saving money are in our Nesting in These Economic Times blog.

We have noted in several of our previous posts how the tough economic times are proving difficult for businesses, but we really haven’t dived into the hardships affecting consumers…..you! Businesses are struggling because consumers are feeling the squeeze of the economy. You are forced to reevaluate your finances and reduce your disposable income.  In many instances that means staying home and going out less frequently.

We want to provide you with some resources to turn the negative into a positive. We’ve posted many blogs that can help you when your budget has been constricted; you just need to know where to find them!

Here’s a list to help you figure out how you want to nest during these economic times. Your home is your place of refuge against the world, and it’s time you started celebrating it!

• So you can’t go out to dinner, then stay at home and cook! We’ve found terrific recipes that our own staff has tried and LOVED! Entrees, side dishes and desserts galore! To make it appear like a night out, eat at the dinning room table with the television off and low lighting.
• Miss date night with your significant other? We’ve even come up with ideas for romantic gestures in your apartment, which include a soothing bubble bath, picnic on the floor or movie night!
• Have some creative juices flowing, but not a lot of $$ to spend? Then check out our amazing ‘How-To’ tips, decorating w/constrictions and low cost decorating ideas to make the most of your time spent at home.
• Need a gift for a friend? We’ve posted a few ideas for homemade gifts and cards! You’ll get bonus tips for being thoughtful and creative.
• You’re bound to have a few friends that are in the same predicament as you. So why not invite them over for a group party? We’ve posted tips on how to throw a party that is eco-friendly, which includes reducing money!! For entertainment you could play games and the dinner/dessert could be pot-luck so no one is forking over a lot of dough!

There are two things to remember for getting through these times: One - you are not alone. There are many others going through the same situation as you. Two -it will end. It may not seem like it, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. You just have to wait it out. Until then, take a look at these tips/ideas for staying at home and remain optimistic. When one door closes, another one opens……so decorate it!!