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How to Make Camping Into a Frugal Hobby

By U.S. News & World Report

Camping is a wonderful low-cost summer activity, but it’s often hard to spot the bargains on camping gear at first glance. Hundreds of dollars for a tent? Big expenses for sleeping bags for everyone? Lots of new gear? A place to store that gear? Campsite fees on top of that? How does this ever get cheap?

The truth is that camping can be an extremely frugal summer travel strategy once you’ve figured out a healthy set of tricks for keeping costs low. You just have to be smart about it.

Here are several strategies that let you explore camping at a low cost and keep expenses low over the long haul.

[See: 12 Frugal Ways to Save on Vacation.]

Figure out if camping is going to be a regular routine for you. If you’re unsure about whether or not camping will click with you, don’t invest in camping equipment to start. Instead, talk to your social network and ask around to borrow some camping gear for a weekend. If you can’t find anyone who will loan you the gear you need, look into renting the gear for a trial run.

One key piece of advice: Don’t get bogged down in frustration about the time needed to set up a tent or start a campfire. Those tasks get much faster and easier with just a few repetitions. Instead, focus on the enjoyment of the environment and the great outdoors.

[See: 12 Habits of Phenomenally Frugal Families.]

Don’t skimp on a tent. The one piece of essential gear that you should not skimp on while camping is your tent. A well-made tent will keep the water and bugs out for many years. Nothing ruins a camping trip like a big water leak in the middle of the night or an invasion of insects. Identify several high-quality, high-value tent options by looking at recent issues of outdoor magazines, then shop around for the best price on those models and make a move when you find the best deal. Don’t be afraid to return the tent, based on the warranty, if there are any flaws in it.

Once you have a tent, take care of it. Follow the instructions and take time and care when setting it up and taking it down. Treat it like an investment, and it will last for many years. The thing to remember is this: When a tent lasts for dozens of camping trips, the cost-per-night in that tent gets very low. If you spend $200 on a tent, that might seem painful, but if you sleep in it for 200 nights (and that’s definitely possible with good care), that makes the cost $1 per night. On the other hand, if you buy a cheap $40 tent, and it starts leaking after 20 nights, that’s $2 per night.

Be smart on everything else. Almost everything else you might use for camping can be bought inexpensively or secondhand. You can find many used pieces of camping gear using Craigslist and local secondhand stores, making it a truly frugal hobby.

You don’t need sleeping bags. A handful of blankets will serve that purpose quite well, though you may choose to eventually buy one based on your own experiences. You can assemble a simple first-aid kit from the items you have around the house. A pocket multitool, such as a Swiss Army knife, will serve most of your tool needs when camping. An inexpensive lantern is a worthwhile choice, too. Reusable secondhand plastic plates and cups and bowls are fine, as is secondhand mismatched silverware.

The key to buying camping gear on a budget is not to overequip yourself before you start. Go with minimal equipment and, as you go, figure out what you need for future trips, buying things to fit those needs going forward. Experience camping with the fewest items necessary, then upgrade only as needed. Don’t blindly follow a checklist that suggests items to buy.

[See: America’s Coolest Campgrounds.]

Seek out free or low-cost camping options. When deciding where to camp, take advantage of tools such as Good Sam Club to find low-cost or even free options. Be flexible in terms of choosing your camping location and be open to camping several miles away from areas you hope to explore, and you’ll save a lot of money on your campsite.

Consider taking advantage of unused winter hunting lodges or hunting camps that friends might use. Or try camping on land that they may not be using during the summer. If you have friends in rural areas who own significant land, you may be able to simply camp on their land for free.

Follow these strategies, and you’ll keep your camping costs low and your spirits high while enjoying a healthy, outdoor activity that might just become part of your summer routines.

More from U.S. News

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10 Offbeat Ways to Earn Extra Money

10 Frugal Activities to Get You Out of the House This Winter

How to Make Camping Into a Frugal Hobby originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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