Yay! Summer is here! Summer officially begins today, June 21. Read on for some frugal picks to enjoy this awesome season! Today's post is an excerpt from AARP Money. 

Hot fun in the summertime? Sure, there's plenty to do, but the price of all that fun can add up fast, draining your bank account. Don't sweat it. There are several ways to have a blast this summer for free (or almost free).

1. Free National Park Admission
Although two-thirds of all National Park Service sites are always free, admission to the remaining parks will be free as well on Aug. 25 to celebrate the National Park Service's birthday. If you're 62 years of age or older, any day of the year for only $10 you can buy a Senior Pass good for the rest of your life at more than 2,000 sites managed by the National Park Service and four other federal agencies. That's a purchase that pays for itself several times over.

2. Free Movies
Hitbliss is an online service that allows you to earn credits by watching selected commercials so you can watch on-demand movies from its website. You'll need to download the program to a desktop or laptop computer (no mobile availability at this time). If you'd rather take the kids to the movies, Regal theaters across the country are offering selected children's movies on Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the summer for just $1 a ticket, with a portion of that going to charity.

3. Free Plants and Seeds
With the growing popularity of backyard gardening, swap meets for gardening enthusiasts are sprouting up all across the country and even online. You can trade excess plants and seeds with other gardeners rather than spend big bucks to buy them at the nursery. Then come home and have fun with the family planting away.

4. Free Stuff To Give and Receive
Listia is a website where you give away things you don't want in exchange for points that you can use to bid on other things on the website. Freecycle is a worldwide nonprofit network of locally based groups filled with people who give away things they no longer need to anyone who wants them. Both are great ways to find free summertime gear, from a used bicycle to an unwanted BBQ grill.

5. Free Camping
If you're looking for a primitive, backcountry wilderness experience, you can camp for free at national forests and on public lands managed by a number of other federal agencies, as long as you follow the guidelines for so-called dispersed camping. If your idea of camping involves an RV, there are still some places where you can camp for free.

6. Free Wi-Fi for Travelers
Save on your data plan by using free Wi-Fi when you travel this summer. There are several free apps to download from Google Play and iTunes that allow you to find free Wi-Fi service at hotspots including restaurants, stores and hotels. Don't forget that most public libraries also offer free computer and Wi-Fi access, although you may need to get a temporary pass or library card if you're just passing through.

7. Free Do-it-yourself Workshops
Summertime is a prime time for home improvements, and Home Depot offers free in-store classes to show you how to do everything from landscape your yard to build outdoor furniture. It even offers special workshops just for kids, as does Lowes.

8. Volunteer For Free Admission
From outdoor concerts and plays to county fairs and festivals, summertime is event time. If there's a cost for admission, ask the event organizers if they can use a few hours of your time. Volunteers often get to enjoy the event for free, and you might even get a free event T-shirt, too!

Dad's special day is right around the corner on Sunday, June 15th. How do you let your father know he is special every day? You don't have to spend a lot of money to express your love and appreciation for him. 

Get creative by putting together a "theme" gift bag or basket. You can buy most of the smaller "extra" items from dollar stores, such as Dollar Tree or Dollar General, including Father's Day cards and even mylar balloons!

Here are some favorite frugal gift ideas for dad this coming Sunday or any day of the week :)

Coffee + Dessert - greet dad with his favorite baked goodies along with a cup of coffee father's day morning! Make enough baked treats to last at least until lunchtime! Present him with a homemade Father's Day to start his special day.

BBQ Meal - most dad's love a good barbecue, why not treat dad to an afternoon of good old delicious BBQ plus the fixin's and of course some beer! 

Tools - some dad's are handy around the house, find out which tools he might not already have and place them in either a handy carry-all tool box or tool caddy. You can find some cheap tools at dollar stores, as Dollar Tree or Dollar General.

Car Stuff - get your dad an inexpensive accessory for his car. It could be as simple as a some car maintenance supplies, a new license plate frame (you could even personalize it) , you might even throw in a new CD he could listen to on his commute.

Golf Stuff - if your dad loves golf, but the cost of green fees are just out of your budget, you might consider giving him a new set of golf balls along with a favorite golf magazine. This idea also applies if he likes tennis or any other sport or outdoor activity.

Favorite Restaurant - if you want to treat dad to his favorite restaurant without paying full price for the meal, consider purchasing a Restaurants.com discount voucher. Go during lunchtime, the menu prices are usually less than the dinner menu.

Techie Items - instead buying dad a new mobile phone or computer, you can simply update his smartphone with a new cover case or give him a new laptop bag. If he likes to play a certain online game, you can buy him the upgraded app version for his phone. If dad is looking for cheaper mobile phone service, click here.

Books - if dad is an avid reader, consider buying him a series of books from his favorite author or subject or some Kindle eBooks to read at his leisure.