It’s no secret that America’s economy hasn’t exactly been on the upswing lately. Sure, some projected trends show that President Obama and Congress have been steering our country toward an eventual recovery – but the majority of society continues to struggle. Certainly, more Americans haven’t seen any promise than those who have – and the jobless claims hover around nine percent. Meanwhile, it’s still July, children are still on summer break, and families still want to celebrate and spend quality time together in their hours off from school and work. What to do? Enter the summer staycation – the trendiest way to stay cool, enjoy each other and still manage to save money in the process!

Especially in New Mexico, where the weather is super hot and dry, it’s easy to find places to splash around. Pack up the kids and head to the nearest local pool, brown bag lunches in tow to save even more cash. An even more economical way to get wet is one of the oldest child pleasures – turn the backyard sprinkler on high and watch the kids have a blast. Have homemade yogurt or juice pops ready to snack on when they come inside – and they’ll never miss a traditional summer getaway.

Looking to stay cool in the air conditioner, rather than bear the stifling desert summer heat outdoors? The New Mexico Museum of Art is free on Friday evenings from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and offers fun educational opportunities for the whole family! The New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science has both a planetarium and “dynatheater” for only a four-dollar admission.

These suggestions are all great ways to supplement your family’s summer fun in lieu of a pricey summer excursion – but the key is to make time in your schedule in the same way you would, had you traveled someplace exotic. Block out weekends for these close-to-home-activities, and give your family your full attention. That way, it’s easy to squeeze the most quality time out of your summer, without squeezing the last pennies out of your family budget!