Balling on a Budget: Summer in the City!

Everyone that knows me knows that one of my personal mantras is "balling on a budget." What is balling on a budget you ask? I define balling on a budget as getting the most value and having the most experiences in life that you can manage within your means and for the best deal possible! I have always been a frugal, thrifty shopper, and have always sought to get the biggest bang for my buck! My mother taught me well, by her utilization of coupons and bargain shopping. But ever since I started living on my own in 2009, I have taken this concept to a whole 'nother level. It has become a way of life for me, from trips to clothes shopping, from dining out to fun activities around town. I'm always seeking to make my money stretch while still enjoying life. Through this "principle" I have managed to learn about fun happenings around town that are free, or as close to free as possible. Let's face it, we all want to have a good time while not going broke. What also helps this cause is that St. Louis is chock-full of great activities and venues that are low in price or even free! I'd like to share with you some select fun activities going on this Summer in our fair city of St. Louis. And stay tuned, I'll have more free/cheap events to come!

Happening This Weekend: 
Chesterfield Wine and Jazz Festival 
When: Saturday June 27, 2015 3pm to 10:30pm
Where: Chesterfield Ampitheater, 631 Veteran's Place Dr, Chesterfield, MO 63017
Price: FREE 
What is it: This is an outdoor music festival featuring musicians including Eric Person and Meta-Four, and chart-topping classical/jazz artists Bach to the Future. There will be a variety of local wine and food vendors, and fireworks.  Remember to bring your lawn chairs or blanket, and no outside food or beverages allowed (don't say I didn't warn you).

Whitaker Music Festival
When: Wednesdays from June 24th through July 29th from 7:30pm to 9:30pm
Where: Missouri Botanical Gardens, Cohen Amphitheater, 344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63110
Price: FREE
What is it: Evening Outdoor concert series with musicians in a wide range of musical genres. Picnicking is permitted after 5pm. Outside food and beverages are permitted and food and beverages are available for purchase on site. No pets, barbecue grills or smoking. Free admission after 5pm. Music begins at 7:30pm. Last entry at 9pm. For additional info and artist lineup, go to www.mobot/org/events/whitaker .

Missouri Botanical Gardens Free Admission for STL City/County Residents
When: Wednesday Mornings and Saturday Mornings before Noon.
Where: Missouri Botanical Gardens, 344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63110
Price: FREE*
What is it: If you have never been to the Missouri Botanical Gardens, you have to go! This is one of the best attractions in St. Louis. The Gardens feature a variety of gardens including a Childrens Garden, Japanese Garden, and Victorian Garden. For people looking for a nice landscape to do their walking for fitness purposes, it's hard to find a place better than this. The normal admission rates are $8 for adults ages 13 and up, $4 for St. Louis City/County Residents adults age 13 - 64, and $3 for senior St. Louis City/County Residents age 65 and up. Right now, the Gardens are exhibiting their Lantern Festival. I must admit the lanterns are beautiful in the daytime, but to get the full experience, you probably will have to see them at night, which is $22 admission for non-members. And no, before you ask, the lanterns are not lit during the Whitaker Music Concerts. Trust me, I already looked into that. The Lantern Festival ends August 23, 2015.

*The free admission is only available to STL City/County Residents on Wednesday and Saturday Mornings before noon.

The Muny
When: June 15th through August 16th, Performances Start at 8:15pm
Where: The Muny, 1 Theatre Drive, St. Louis, MO 63112 (Inside Forest Park)
Price Free and $14 - $87 for paid tickets
What is it: The Muny is an outdoor theater that features six popular musicals. This year's season includes: My Fair Lady (June 15th - June 21st), Hairspray (Happening Now) (June 23th - June 30th), Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn (July 6th - July 12th), Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (July 13th - July 19th), Into the Woods (One of my personal faves) (July 21st - July 27th), Beauty and the Beast (July 29th - August 7th), and Oklahoma! (August 10th - August 16th). Now here's the deal with the Muny, there are free seats behind the paid seats in amphitheater. The view from these seats is not bad, just remember to bring your binoculars if you like to see a lot of detail on the stage. Now, that being said, although the view from these seats is not bad, I will say that the paid seats are slightly more roomy than the free seats. In that I'm a taller person (I'm 5'9 1/2"), I can personally tell you that there is more leg room in the paid seats than there are in the free seats. However, you can't beat seeing well acted musical theater in an open-air theater for free. The way that I usually do the Muny is if it's a play that I really want to see and want to see comfortably, then I pay for my ticket, but if it's a production that I'm kind of luke-warm about then I go see it for free. It's still wonderful that they give you the option whether to pay or not. I also must add that technically, the programs for the plays are meant for the paid customers, but I will say that I have always managed to get a program with my free seat during the admission. (Shhhh you didn't hear that from me...) The gates to the free seats open at 7:00pm each evening. Lines for the free seats begin forming as early as 4:00 pm. The lines are usually long so you may want to get there at least by 5:30pm/6ish to get a good free seat. And also, remember to bring a fan!!!!! It gets hot out there!


Jungle Boogie Friday Night Concert Series 
When: Fridays, from May 22nd through August 28th, from 5pm to 8pm (Exhibits open until 7pm)
Where: St. Louis Zoo in the Schnuck Family Plaza, 1 Government Drive, St. Louis, MO 63110
Price: FREE 
What is it: Jungle Boogie is a concert series that takes place every Friday night, except June 19th and July 3rd, in the Summer that feature various local groups. It's great for families, and kid-friendly. For more information and the concert lineup, go to http://www.stlzoo.org/events/calendarofevents/jungleboogie.


SLAM Underground
When: The Last Friday of every month, from 7pm to 10pm
Where: St. Louis Art Museum, 1 Fine Arts Dr, Forest Park, St. Louis, MO 63110
Price: FREE 
What is it: SLAM Underground is a monthly event that features collection tours, a cash-bar, DIY art projects, and live music! Every month's event features a different theme and different activities. So if you and your friends want to get into something outside of the norm on a Friday night, be sure to check out SLAM Underground for a more artistic and fun way to kick it!


Timeless Free Favorites: St. Louis Zoo, St. Louis Art Museum, Missouri History Museum, St. Louis Science Center