THE FAIR - The Opposite of Thrifting

I love saving money.  

I try to make my dollar stretch like a chewed up piece of double-bubble bubble gum.  I'm always looking for a deal, so when the counselor suggested we take the kids to the Arizona State Fair, my mind started thinking of ways we could do it for cheap.  

We looked on-line for coupons, two-for-ones or anything that offered a financial break in the fun-filled adventure.    

The counselor found out on the first day of the fair there was no entrance fee.  For our size family, that saved about $40.00.

I remember years past, taking the kids to the fair.  Sure, it's a good time; kettle corn, roller coasters and ferris wheels, but all those smiles and giggles comes at a price.

The fair is what I like to call 

"The opposite of thrifting."

Why?

Because unlike thrifting, going to the fair is the most over-priced experience one can have in the state of Arizona.

Image found here.

For all the times I cut corners, save a buck here, save a buck there, eaten at home instead of eating out and so forth, the fair puts a stop to that way of thinking.

Actually, it mocks it.

The fair is deceiving.   It tricks the average parent into thinking "If my kid doesn't experience this place to the fullest, then I'm a bad parent."

Standing in line to get our tickets for rides, I thought I would have an anxiety attack when the counselor asked "What should we get, like a $100.00 in tickets?"

The boys looked at the giant sand castle being built. I was surprised we weren't charged a  looking fee. 

It this poor economy, you wouldn't believe the cash being thrown around.   $4.00 for a soda, $8.00 for a 60-second thrill ride and that's only the first few minutes in the gate.

To throw a dart and try to pop a balloon is $6.00.  Where's the fun in that?

All it took was watching my kids go down this enormous slide and I was all smiles.  We had so much fun.

That is, as much fun as we could afford.

The boys are sweet and gracious little consumers.

Little sis had a nice short nap 

until she heard the Sponge Bob Square Pants theme song.

I'm not sure who was more excited to see Sponge Bob, the kids or the counselor (can you tell who is the better parent in this equation?).

The highlight of the "opposite of thrifting" was playing in these air-filled balls while rolling around in the water.

First they fill up the plastic ball with air.  

Then, they let the kids loose.

Who knew having fun could cost so much money?

We played on the playground until the destruction derby started.  

The counselor couldn't wait until the cars started crashing.  

Sissy loves her white-trash daddy.

For the writer in me, the fair had a booth sponsored by Harlequin novels.  I stopped by their booth and they gave me a free trashy romance novel.  

Don't be surprised if next week My Dear Trash has a give-away of a free Harlequin trashy romance novel. 

All in all, it was a great time.  

If may not have been thrifting, but saving money can't buy everything.
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