==> First Time Camping Solo?

If you’ve never gone camping solo before, it can be a slightly scary proposition. It can bring images of getting attacked by bears or getting lost in the woods.

The reality is, this kind of thing rarely happens. That’s why it makes the news. By and large, the “horror stories” you hear about just never happen.

That said, if you’re nervous, you can take a few safety precautions.

First, tell a friend when you expect to be back. If you don’t contact them within a certain time, they’ll know to be worried.

Carry a phone with you. If you’re not going too far off the beaten path, you should still be able to get reception.

Always carry a first aid kit in case you get injured. Make sure you have water purification pills just in case you run out of water while you’re out there.

If it’s your first time camping solo, take it slow. Don’t go off into the middle of nowhere. Keep your trip short and camp in places frequented by wilderness lovers. Don’t go to secluded locations until you’re comfortable camping on your own.

==> How to Make It an Unforgettable Experience

Bring some music with you. Walking around a forest with nobody around you while listening to your favorite music can be an incredible experience.

Bring a journal. At home, it can be very hard to set aside the time to properly journal. While you’re out in the wilderness, there’s nothing but time. It’s the perfect opportunity to reflect on your life.

Bring a camera. Take pictures of all the incredible things you’re witnessing and show them to friends when you get home.

Make friends while you’re out there. Other campers often have amazing stories to tell. People from all walks of life leave their usual selves behind to come and enjoy nature in the forest.

That said, still try to avoid bringing expensive cameras or music players that cost an arm and a leg. It’s rare, but it’s possible to get robbed by other campers.

If you want an adventure this summer, why not try camping on your own? It’s a fantastic way to recharge and reflect on your life. Step outside the box of being in a city and enjoy the refreshing sun. If there’s a lake near you, you can even enjoy a great swim in the middle of nature.

Here are a few ways you can save money on summer clothes.

==> Go to Charity Shops

Charity shops like Goodwill or the Salvation Army frequently sell clothes at very, very low rates. You can often pick up summer clothes at a fraction of the price you’d pay at a retail store.

==> Pass It Down the Family

If you have two kids, you can often pass one piece of clothing from the older sibling to the younger. The younger sibling might not necessarily appreciate it, but if finances are tight it might be what’s called for.

Try to mix it up so your kids get a combination of both new clothes and pre-owned clothes.

==> If You Buy New…

If you’re buying clothes new, avoid higher end stores and stick to stores that cater to the lower end of the budget spectrum. For example, shop at the Gap or Old Navy rather than at H&M.

==> Look for Sales

One big sale to look out for is the end of season sale. Right as summer comes along, many stores will quickly try to get rid of last season’s clothing. That’s prime time to swoop in and get great new clothes at a discount.

You might be thinking: “But those aren’t summer clothes.” That’s true, they’re not technically summer clothes. However, if they’re short sleeved, or if they’re made of airy materials, you can easily wear them in summer even if they weren’t part of the brand’s summer line.

==> Go to Used Clothes Stores

Another place you can look is used clothes stores. These stores are usually a little more expensive than charity shops, but their clothes are of a much higher quality.

These shops basically buy clothes from other people, but only hand pick clothes they believe will sell. That’s why the clothes they carry are usually great. While it’s not Goodwill prices, you’re still usually looking at a 50% to 70% discount off retail prices.

==> Try Shopping on EBay

Finally, if you can’t find great bargains in your area, you can try eBay.

As long as you know your size, you can often buy phenomenally cheap clothing on eBay brand new. It’s this cheap because the person selling on eBay has a direct connection with the manufacturer and is able to cut out the middleman.

These are all ways you can save money on clothing this summer. Stocking up on summer clothes shouldn’t break the bank. With these tips, you’ll be able to dress yourself and your family for pennies on the dollar.

Hike in the Woods

Gather up your hiking boots and friends, and spend the day out walking in the woods. Plan to meet or carpool to your destination, which could be anything from a friend’s wooded property to a national park. Bring food and drinks along so you can enjoy the whole day away. In fact, each friend can bring something to contribute to an on-site picnic.

Antique Shops

Going “antiquing” is a wonderful way to make memories. You really don’t even have to buy anything or spend a lot of money. Just touring the antique districts in your area and looking at all the amazing items is often enough. Make sure there’s room, though, in case anyone does want to buy something! You might want to car pool in a van or other large vehicle to accommodate purchases.

Wine Tasting

Designate a driver and enjoy touring your local wineries. Many of these facilities offer tours and tasting, and you may find that the whole day is occupied with one winery. It’s a fun get-together regardless of how many wines you sample or wineries you visit.

Progressive Dinner and Dessert

You can start this one early and make it an all-day deal if you like. The point of this day trip is to sample your local restaurants and spread the meal out over several different venues. For instance, you might have salad at one restaurant, soup at another, and appetizers at a third. Then have dessert at still another restaurant. You can get creative with this one and coordinate the meals and restaurants however you like. The point is to dine in at least three different restaurants.

Park It!

Who says you have to be a kid to enjoy amusement parks? Go to one with your girl friends and spend the day having a blast! You could also go to a local fair with rides. Make sure to do fun stuff you’d normally not do, such as eat cotton candy and ride a roller coaster.

Museum Tour

Touring a museum that caters to your interests is a great way to bond. You can go in the morning and discuss it over lunch, then go back to the same museum or to another one. Art, history, and science are just some of the fascinating things you and your girl friends can explore on your day out.

So to help you enjoy your summer and keep it healthy and safe, here are some health and fitness tips for the season.

Sunshine

It’s certainly true that there are healthful benefits to getting some sunlight exposure. Your body needs the sun to make vitamin D, and to get adequate levels you need to be exposed for at least 15 minutes without sunscreen. However, sunscreen is very important to avoid burns and skin damage. So, a healthy compromise could be to put your sunscreen on after you’ve been outside for 15 minutes or so.

Produce

Summer is the time for fresh garden produce. These healthful foods are said to be most nutritious when they are in season, so stock up at your local farmer’s market. You also might consider freezing or preserving some of summer’s bounty. It’s a great boost to your health to load up on fresh produce. After all, fruits and vegetables are implicated in everything from cancer prevention to a healthy heart.

Get Active

Now is a wonderful time to get into physical activities like hiking, biking, swimming, and pretty much any outdoor game or sport. Keeping fit is more important these days than ever, with more and more opportunities arising to sit in front of a screen. Take advantage of summer’s warm temperatures and evening light to get out and get physically active.

Heat

Another health and safety tip that bears mentioning is heat. Depending on your location, summer can get dangerously hot. Be aware of the signs of heat stroke:

* Copious or increased sweating
* Paleness, loss of color in the face
* Headache
* Feelings of dizziness, light-headedness, or feeling faint
* Nausea or vomiting
* Muscle cramps

Always get to an air-conditioned room or car as soon as possible if any of these symptoms are present. When you are outside, have access to shade so that you don’t get overheated.

Hydration

In the summer, you’ll need to have a drink of water handy much more often than in the cooler months. In fact, it’s a good idea to take water along when you are doing anything in the summer, from running errands to hiking. Staying hydrated helps ward off heat exhaustion and keeps your body in balance.

Here’s how to plan the perfect romantic summer picnic.

==> What Should You Bring?

Bring a plastic tarp and put your blanket or towels on top of the tarp. Wet grass can make blankets damp or even downright wet if there isn’t a tarp underneath them.

Bring enough water. One of the biggest mistakes people make with picnics is planning out the food carefully, but not bringing enough water.

Bring outdoor dinnerware. Don’t bring anything that could break if knocked over. That means no glass plates, no crystal glasses and so on.

Bring a small cutting board and a knife. This helps with a lot of things, from cutting bread to cutting fruit to just being an extra makeshift plate.

Make sure to bring sunscreen. The last thing you want is to come back from your romantic getaway with a painful burn.

Take mosquitoes into consideration. If you live in an area that has mosquitoes, bring some bug spray to prevent these little creatures from ruining your big day.

==> Setting the Romantic Mood

Try to arrive at an off-peak time so you can find a semi-shady area to lay out your picnic.

Set the mood by bringing a bottle of nice wine. Perhaps you can also try setting the vibe by bringing a small music player and playing some romantic music.

==> An Added Bonus: Make It a Surprise Picnic

Want to really add to the sense of romance? Make it a surprise picnic.

Just tell your loved one that you’ve got something planned, but don’t tell them exactly what you plan on doing.

Figure out the food, the drinks and the location on your own, then surprise your loved one with an amazing picnic experience.

This works well at night if you want to make it a candle-lit dinner in the park.

==> For Added Fun…

For added fun, bring a few toys! Bring a Frisbee or a ball to play with. Maybe bring a board game or two to play with your loved one. If you’re going to be out for a while, maybe bring a book or two for the both of you.

Going on a romantic summer picnic with your loved one is a fantastic way to take in the summer sun while spending time with each other. Make sure to check the weather, plan different activities and plan different kinds of foods before you go.

Here are a few different ways to do it.

==> Turn Off the AC Whenever Possible

Turn off the AC 20 minutes before you leave the house. This helps save money on the AC bill, but your house won’t really be any hotter by the time you leave.

Use a fan whenever you can instead of an AC. On days that are just mildly hot rather than roasting, fans can provide cooling without draining your bank account.

Do your best to only use the AC when it’s really necessary.

==> Improve Your Home’s Insulation

Your home’s insulation is what keeps your home cool in summer and warm in the winter. However, if your insulation is damaged or ineffective, that can easily cost you hundreds of dollars a year in heating costs.

Most people’s home insulation was built years, even decades, ago. The insulation could be molded, it could be falling apart, it could even be torn through by squirrels or other critters.

Check your insulation to see what condition it’s in. If you don’t know, have someone check it for you. If your insulation is in poor shape, consider having it fixed. It’ll allow you to keep cool in summer without having to spend a lot of money on cooling costs.

==> Energy-Efficient Windows

One of the biggest drains of energy comes from windows. While your walls can block out the summer heat and keep the cool air in, windows don’t have the same effect.

Instead, heat is very well conducted through the glass. Furthermore, the sun rays that come in through the window will heat up the rest of your house.

Getting energy-efficient windows will help solve this problem. Basically, these windows are designed to keep the cool in and the heat out in summer, while doing the opposite in winter. They can help save a lot of energy.

==> Get in the Habit of Drinking Ice Water

This one’s a slightly odd but highly effective tip.

When you eat hot foods, your body temperature rises. When you drink cold water, your body temperature falls.

One of the easiest ways to keep cool in summer without having to spend a lot of electricity it by drinking cold water.

Your freezer is going to be running anyway. Putting a few ice trays or bottles of water in the freezer isn’t going to add to you electric bill. If you like drinking cold water, as most people do in summer, this is a great way to cool yourself down without spending an extra dime.

These are all ways in which you can save money on your electric bill this summer. If you’re not careful with your electric bills, they can skyrocket in the summer months. These tips will help.

It

Hiking

This is one that most dogs just love. Pack a lunch and head out to your local park or forest with your dog. You can get gear bags for your dog’s back so he can carry his own gear, and a day pack for you. Plan out the trails you will walk with your dog, and make sure to keep him on a leash.

It’s tempting to let them run when you are out in the woods, but it’s not considerate of other hikers nor is it safe – your dog might pick up the scent of a deer or other wildlife and disappear on you.

When you go hiking with your dog, there are some key items to pack.

* Water for man and beast. Neither of you want to go thirsty.
* A collapsible water bowl is like a dog’s portable water bottle. Make sure to bring one.
* Basic first aid for both of you, such as antiseptic and bandages.
* A tie-out leash for the picnic area (or wherever you stop to eat and need your hands to be free).

Shopping

Outdoor malls, markets, flea markets, and cafes offer a full day for you and your dog. You can have lunch at an outdoor eatery (with your dog tethered of course), and then partake of the outdoor markets. Farmers’ markets, feed stores, and other animal-friendly venues allow you to take your dog along on your shopping trip without violating any “no dogs allowed” rules. Most importantly, outdoor shopping means you won’t be tempted to leave your dog in the car on a sunny day.

Visiting Others

All kinds of studies have been done on the therapeutic effects of animals. As long as you have permission from whomever you wish to visit, a nice way to spend a day out with your dog is to visit others. Local shut-ins are a good place to start. You could also consider a nursing home or children’s hospital, as long as you’ve checked with those in charge first.

If you want to get in shape with bike riding, it’s a good idea to make sure you have the basics down. Maybe you want to get your family involved, too. Here are some tips on how to get in shape with bike riding.

Gear

If you are serious about getting in shape with bike riding, it’s a good idea to get the right gear. Here is a list of the minimal gear and equipment needed for cycling (besides a bicycle, of course).

* Helmet – This is probably the single most important piece of cycling gear you’ll own. Everyone in the family should wear a helmet when cycling, regardless of size and age. Make sure you have one that fits well and feels comfortable.

* Tire pump and patch kit – It’s a very good idea to have a portable tire pump with you. If you get a flat tire or otherwise find that your tires need air, then having a pump can make all the difference. Carry a patch kit, too, in case the tire gets torn or punctured. You don’t want to be miles from home and have to walk your bike back!

* Water – Being able to drink while cycling is very important. Get water bottles that can be worn at the waist using clips. This way, you can take at least two bottles along without having to wear a backpack.

* Sunglasses – You may not think about protecting your eyes, but when you cycle for a while, your eyes can get dry and irritated from the constant wind. Sunglasses also protect your eyes if you wear contact lenses.

Family Involvement

It can be really fun to get the whole family going on a bike ride. To help get them motivated, here are some suggestions.

* Plan a cycling trip to a favorite store or landmark. Having a pleasurable goal in mind can help a lot with motivation.

* Make sure everyone in the family has the proper gear and equipment.

* Use your bikes to explore places you can’t go on foot or in a vehicle. The prospect of seeing something new and different can help motivate everyone.