I know I am not alone when I make this statement: In 2025 my money didn’t seem to stretch as far as it used to.
My close friends of varying ages and stages of life agree we are feeling our money slipping through our hands!
Health insurance prices keep increasing, as well as groceries and important personal care items.
It makes planning enjoyable outings with family or friends feel almost impossible, but as someone who possesses a frugal side I know that a little fun in 2026 doesn’t have to break the bank.
First and foremost, I cannot stress enough the importance of fully using a public library.
I am blessed to be in the Scenic Regional Library system where I live just outside of St. Clair, Mo. Our library does a lot beyond provide myself and other patrons with great reads.
Like many libraries out there, they have wonderful free programs for people to attend. Just this past year, I was able to participate in a craft lesson as well as learn more from professionals about various rocks and fossils found in Missouri.
Friends of mine were even able to take their children to meet Santa and create some holiday artwork for free just by keeping an eye on the library’s website for upcoming events.
Public libraries aren’t the only place to find resources and events that don’t break the bank. I cannot stress enough how fantastic Missouri is when it comes to Missouri Department of Conservation Nature Centers.
When my daughter was little, we spent many days wandering around (for free) at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center just outside of Kirkwood, Mo.
When she visited my parents, they’d take her to Runge Conservation Nature Center in Jefferson City, Mo.
Both little and big kids can enjoy such spaces utilizing both their indoor and outdoor recreational and educational opportunities.
I have even attended classes about nature photography thanks to the offerings at Powder Valley.
To look for a Missouri Department of Conservation Nature Center near you, simply visit this website — mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/nature-centers — for more information.
Also, I highly recommend looking into their free events for people of all ages. Visit mdc.mo.gov/events to find something that works for you.
Speaking of free outdoor activities in Missouri, another way to keep 2026 fun without killing your budget is visiting Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites.
The majority of these locations are free, however some sites have fees for tours or lodging.
There’s nothing more enjoyable than packing a cooler with items for a picnic and spending a day exploring one of our state parks.
For those of you with younger kids, many of our state parks have easy trails for little hikers as well as little playgrounds, too.
Guys, trust me on this, during my travels to other states I have felt serious sticker shock when visiting their state parks. Many of them require daily fees just for a walk or a picnic.
We are incredibly blessed to live in a state where we can simply drive into a state park and enjoy it without having to buy a day pass on site or online.
For more information about our state parks and historic sites, go to mostateparks.com and explore their website.
From our public libraries to our public lands, there are affordable options for educational and recreational endeavors in 2026 that do not have to railroad your already-stretched funds.
I hope you’ll take the time to find something fun using these resources in the new year.
(Michelle Turner lives in Parkway, Mo., and can be reached at mkdesignsphoto@gmail.com.)
