Cheap Plans/Ideas For Labor Day 2010 Weekend

Looking for things to keep your self busy (but relax) during the long weekend? Like the rest of Florida, do you presently have tight wallet syndrome? Here are some of my plans for the 2010 Labor Day weekend. Hopefully it will inspire fellow Jacksonvilleans (people from Jacksonville fl, as per wiki answers) :)

1. Pool/Beach Day: The weekend weather is predicting 30% precipitation on Satuday and Sunday afternoon. So a dip after that would be very refreshing!! If you do not have an outdoor pool in your home/community then try to make it to the beach. Atlantic Beach is my favorite since it is small enough that not too many people are around but large enough that you can walk around the beach and the stores in the Neptune Beach Town Center. I would not suggest going too deep in the water this weekend though since the rip currents are supposed to be high due to Hurricane Earl.

2. An Afternoon At The Library: Jacksonville has so many great FREE public libraries around the city. Yet I do not think it is utilized much by adults anymore. I have recently discovered the library again and I must say it is amazing. You can get all the new magazines there for FREE, plus books, movies, cds and more. I have been to most of the libraries around the city and my favorite is the one on Beach Blvd. It has a very open, sunny, welcoming atmosphere with a great selection in all types of books. Its a great place to pick up some reading material for at home or pool day.

3. Zoo Evening - We just purchased tickets to go to the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens this weekend. Groupon has a deal going on today for $6 tickets to the zoo (one entry, expires Jan 2011). Groupon Deal Link will let you get one too if you are interested in going this weekend or anytime this year. I always find it a fun place to visit and it is a great workout with all the walking ;)

4. Shopping - Labor Day has become in commercial America another day to go out and buy big ticket items. Well unfortunately I am presently struggling to pay my monthly bills so maybe this weekend is not the time to go buy major furniture :) If you are in the same economical disaster as I, then it should not mean that You and I should avoid the malls like plague. I think window shopping during Labor Day Weekend is always fun because places such as St John's Town Center have free activities to entice customers to the mall. So we are planning on hitting the mall but only for some window shopping and free goodies. To ensure this, we will be leaving all major credit cards at home and just bringing enough cash to maybe have a nice dinner outside. So if you can spice up some Self Control and Self Restraint, you should really add shopping day to your labor day weekend.


5. At Home Relaxation Day - We desperately seek the small things in life such as sleeping in, watching TV, laying on the couch when we are working everyday. However we are ready to go out everyday during the weekend. My Husband and I are going to try taking pleasure in those small things by sitting at home one day this weekend just watching movies/tv, reading books and eating comfort foods. (Will let you know how it goes).

Have a Great Labor Day Weekend. If you have any idea on cheap plans please comment.

Top 2 For the Weekend - St. Johns Town Center Holiday Festival and India Fest going on this weekend

Deciding what you want to do this weekend should hopefully be the toughest choice you make. There are various events going on throughout Jacksonville so after some thumbing around I think I have chosen my Top 2 for the weekend of Nov 20th.

I love Christmas .. the happy people, the music, the food, the presents, the consumer behavior, the joy and sharing. So of course how could I even think of missing the St John's Town Center Holiday Festival with Lighting of the Great Tree Event going on all day on Nov 21,2009. From what I have heard and read it should be a great time for adults, kids and adults like me who are kids at heart. The are boasting a family kids zone, Beer Gardens and “American Idol” Winner
Taylor Hicks!! Here is the Full Schedule and List of Special offers that I printed out for coupons including my favorite free chicken lettuce wraps by PF Changs! YUM!

Food is a big decision maker when it comes to picking what I do on my weekends. I tend to consider what I feel like eating, what we haven't eaten in a while and of course the new food trend I am following that month. So since I have been on a recent kick to try out Exotic Asian Foods (stemming from my current obsession with the Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern TV Show on the travel channel) I thought I would give my taste buds an adventure by going to India Fest this weekend. India Fest is being held on Nov 21,2009 from 1:00PM to 9:00PM at the Metropolitan Park. The Festival has been advertising authentic Indian delicacies from all over India as well live entertainment including traditional folk dances. From my research on the Indian culture I have found that various regions in India add completely different spices and ingredients to their meals so I am hoping our pallets get to travel all over India at this festival.

If you decide to go to one of my Top 2's or pick something else.. have a great weekend!