NASHVILLE, Tenn. — School is almost out, summer is in the air, and that means many families will soon be hitting the road for a much-needed vacation or looking for ways to entertain the kids over break.

On Friday, May 15, Dr. Melissa Cohen, lecturer in the Department of Economics and Finance in the Jones College of Business at Middle Tennessee State University, appeared on the “MTSU on 2” segment from WKRN-TV’s Nashville studio to offer tips on how to save money this summer while the kids are home.

Cohen recommends that if you’re traveling this summer or driving around town, dropping kids off at extracurricular activities and camps, take advantage of gas apps to find the best prices.

“You can check gas prices from your phone, whether it’s from your favorite gas station or the Gas Buddy app,” she said. “Combine those car trips as much as possible and get gas on your way to camps. Be sure to maximize those loyalty rewards for more savings.”

If you’re looking for ways to keep the kids entertained this summer, Cohen said there are several ways to have fun while staying budget-conscious.

“Look for the free events in your city, including festivals, local parks and state parks, the local library for events and summer reading programs, and free museums. For example, at one stop, you can visit the Tennessee State Museum for free, then head over to the Tennessee State Library and Archives, go on a guided tour of Bicentennial Mall, and check out the farmer’s market,” Cohen said. “June 3 is National Running Day, and you can sign up for a free 5k at Geodis Park. Cumberland Park has a free splashpad for kids. MTSU hosts a free Fan Day in August at Floyd Stadium that is family-friendly, too.”

And if you’re loading up the car for a family vacation, Cohen suggests booking your hotel early and avoiding staying in main tourist areas.

“Booking hotels in advance will generally save you money, and so will buying any entertainment tickets too. Sign up for those loyalty programs and check out the discounts. If you can stay at a hotel just a few miles outside of the main tourist areas, you can save money, too.”

Cohen also said that whether you’re traveling or not this summer, there are ways to save money at the grocery store when shopping for snacks and other household staples.

“Shopping for sales at grocery stores is the best way to save on food and snacks. Load up the car with snacks before you leave on your trip to avoid high gas-station prices and fast-food drive-thru prices,” she said. “Bring a reusable water bottle, too. Do a price comparison with membership clubs, like Sam’s Club, Costco and BJ’s, to buy your food in bulk. They usually have cheaper gas prices, too!

To learn more about the undergraduate programs offered in the MTSU Department of Economics and Finance in the Jones College of Business, visit https://jones.mtsu.edu/.

—       DeAnn Hays (deann.hays@mtsu.edu)