So as I’ve mentioned in previous posts, we love food. Possibly me more than H, but whatever. As food lovers we have developed a strong affection for eating out at all kinds of restaurants! But, on the type of budget we’re living on, eating at a restaurant is just not in the cards. But we’re still pretty used to a meal being an excuse to get out of our apartment… which leads us to… PICNICKING!

So, living in the bay area we’re surrounded by parks and beaches with great views and beautiful scenery. These locations are perfect for picnics. On an evening where we feel particularly compelled to get out of the apartment we make a couple of sandwiches, grab a thermos filled with juice, or iced tea, and usually a couple of cookies. This all fits nicely in our small cooler. We keep a beach bag with a beach blanket in the car all the time… just in case of a vegging-out emergency.

This is a pretty cool way to kill an afternoon, and it costs virtually nothing! If you can find a beach or park with free parking, then apart from some gas, you’re only spending the same money you’d have spent to eat at home, except you’re getting out and enjoying the fresh air and beautiful scenery of the bay area!