Yahoo Ad Network Targeted In Malvertising Attack Seeking Flash Vulnerability

The campaign was disabled after running for six days last week.

Please visit Marketing Land for the full article.

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How To Win The Hearts And Minds Of Emerging Technology’s Ruling Class: The Early Adopters

Early adopters are key to the success of new marketing technologies, but how do you win them over? Columnist Erik Bratt gets some insight from several smart technologists.

Please visit Marketing Land for the full article.

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Aberdeen and M&G retain dubious honours on fund "dog" list

Michael Trudeau

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Open-ended funds managed Aberdeen and M&G continue to dominate a notorious "worst of the worst" list of serially underperforming funds, with those in the global and global equity income the most prevalent on the twice-yearly list.

Open-ended funds managed Aberdeen and M&G continue to dominate a notorious "worst of the worst" list of serially underperforming funds, with those in the global and global equity income the most prevalent on the twice-yearly list.

Aberdeen and M&G retain dubious honours on fund "dog" list

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Open-ended funds managed Aberdeen and M&G continue to dominate a notorious "worst of the worst" list of serially underperforming funds, with those in the global and global equity income the most prevalent on the twice-yearly list. Published every six months by Tilney Bestinvest, the Spot the Dog report names funds that have underperformed for three consecutive years and by more than 10% over the three-year period. In the most recent edition, looking at the six months to 30 June 2015, the number of "dog" funds dropped from 60 to 37 compared to the previous half-year, and the amount under management fell to £17.6 billion from £23 billion in the last report. Fund house M&G continued to dominate the list by assets under management (£7.3 billion) owing to underperformance by its former flagship funds M&G Recovery and M&G Global Basics, which together account for 41% of dog assets. The former has however kept its place on the Hargreaves Lansdown Wealth 150 preferred funds list, despite its consistently poor performance. Hargreaves Lansdown recently came out in defence of the fund after a Money Observer reader took issue with its inclusion in the Wealth 150. Aberdeen claims the dubious title of managing the most "dog" funds, with eight making the list this time around - down from nine six months ago. The fund house last month reported net outflows of almost £10 billion as institutional investors fled from Asian and emerging markets equities, where the group has significant assets under management. The Aberdeen dogs include: Aberdeen UK Opportunities Equity; Aberdeen European Smaller Companies Equity; Aberdeen European Equity; Aberdeen Asia Pacific & Japan Equity; Aberdeen Asia Pacific Equity; Aberdeen World Equity Income; Aberdeen World Equity; and Aberdeen Ethical World Equity. St James's Place had three funds appear in the doghouse, including St James's Place Far East, St James's Place Ethical and St James's Place High Octane. Of these, the Far East (ongoing charges figure of 1.62%) and Ethical (1.63%) funds are actually managed by Aberdeen. The High Octane (2.14%) fund is managed by Oldfield Partners. Funds in UK equity, European equity and Japanese equity were relatively "rare breeds", with only eight dog funds between them. "Most active fund managers investing in the UK market and Europe have now outperformed over three and five years," says Tilney Bestinvest managing director Jason Hollands, "and that is based on their longest-established share classes. "Arguably the scope for outperformance should improve over time as the industry shift to lower-cost share classes, stripped of commissions and platform fees, feeds through." However, he adds: "The gulf between the best and worst performers is still huge. Among funds in the UK all companies sector, £100 invested in the worst fund delivered a £9.20 return over three years while the best performer generated a £116.90 return - so it is still vital to be selective. Investment funds are not 'all the same'."

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Looking for Fun Parenting Blogs? 5 Reasons We Love Scary Mommy

When I found out I was pregnant with my first child, one of my friends who already had kids almost immediately suggested I check out Scary Mommy.

“It’s hilarious,” she said. “And the confessions make you feel good about even your worst days as a mom. Trust me.”

She was right on so many levels. As an older first-time mom, I was looking for friends who could relate to the phase I was in at that moment.

While I found my tribe pretty easily, as acquaintances from my Yoga Teacher Training started becoming mommies, too, Scary Mommy became a resource I turned to time and again.

Here are a few reasons why I love this blog and online community for parents:

1. It’s Good for a Laugh

Sometimes parents just need a good laugh. As a parent of a toddler who’s testing ALL the limits, those days when I need some help cracking a smile are becoming more frequent.

Many of the posts at Scary Mommy — like this one on taking care of yourself first — bring to light the dark side of parenting. The irreverent humor is perfect for those days when you need to lighten up a bit. Who wouldn’t crack up when reading about ways your toddler is like a dog?

2. You’ll Find Support for Working Moms

Every working mom is different. Among my group of mommy friends who work outside the home, some are grateful for their time at the office, while others wish they had the option to be at home full time with their kids.

But when we’re completely honest, we each fall into both those groups depending on the day.

Whether you’re feeling certain of your decision to work outside of the home or find yourself questioning that choice every other week, you’ll find posts on Scary Mommy that help you see the positive side of your choice.

And the best part is, you’ll never be judged for whatever you decide!

3. You’ll Also Find Support for Stay-at-Home Moms

A number of factors influenced my decision to stay at home with my boys, not the least of which were the cost of childcare and my desire to work for myself.

No matter what your reason for staying at home with your kids, you won’t feel judged by the community at Scary Mommy. Instead, you’ll feel supported on those hard days and discover humor to make them easier.

If and when you’re ready to go back to work, this community is great for that, too. Just one example: I found value in this post on how to improve your resume so you can minimize the “motherhood penalty.”

4. Every Parent Can Relate in Some Way

There are so many posts on Scary Mommy that you’re sure to find some ideas, questions or approaches you relate to. With topics ranging from body image to food allergies to single parenting and more, parents can find support and encouragement — not to mention brutal honesty — about just about any topic.

My favorite posts are the ones that help me take my job as a mom a little less seriously. I think we can all use that reminder from time to time!

5. Unorthodox Tips for Saving Money are Always Helpful

While Scary Mommy doesn’t focus specifically on finance, you’ll glean plenty of tips for saving money on the site. In fact, the community has an entire category aimed at helping soon-to-be parents decide which items are worth spending your money on and which items you’ll never miss.

It might be tongue-in-cheek, but you’ll also find advice on allowances, saving for college, and paying for your children’s teeth. And we all know having children can be expensive, but there’s even a piece about the ways having kids can save you money. Who would’ve thought?

Scary Mommy will help you laugh, make you cry, give you support and teach you a thing or two. If you’re looking for straight-up advice, look somewhere else. But if you need some giggles and enjoy taking an irreverent look at the parenting life, Scary Mommy is for you.

Your Turn: What’s your favorite site for parenting advice?

Ami Spencer Youngs is a freelance writer and yoga teacher, raising her career alongside two boys under three. Learn more about her life and her writing at writingherlife.com or on Twitter at @writingherlife.

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The Rich Man, the Average Budget, and You

It doesn’t matter how much money you make: If you spend money like the average American — using 17% of your income on transportation, for instance, whether that adds up to a used Buick or a Ferrari — you’re going to struggle. Photo: Keith Williams

One of the biggest struggles I had during my teen and early adult years was feeling jealous of people who had extreme amounts of wealth.

One particular memory that’s seared into my mind comes from when I was about 17 years old. I was visiting the factory where my father worked on an open house day and we walked out of a back entrance through a parking lot. There, in the middle of the lot, stood a gorgeous sports car. It was a bright red Ferrari 348.

I had never actually seen that kind of car up close before. My father was actually kind of wary of even getting very close to it at all, so we kind of stood back and eyeballed it. Then, a few minutes later, someone in a dress shirt came out, got in the car, and drove off.

To put it in perspective, a new Ferrari 348 at the time cost around $120,000, give or take. That was more money than my parents would ever make in a year by a mile.

After seeing that Ferrari fly out of the parking lot, we went over and got in our family car, which at the time was a 1987 Buick LeSabre. My parents had bought it as a used car for about $6,000 after a trade-in.

The stark differences in the cars stuck in my head. I never really wanted a Ferrari, to tell the truth, but it was hard not to see the differences between the two cars.

On the ride home, we talked about how beautiful that Ferrari was and I remember staring out the window for a while, thinking about how unfair things really were. My father picked up on it and he said something that I still remember. To paraphrase, he said, “That car sure was beautiful, but you know what? At the end of the day, it still just drives you home to your family, and this car does the same thing for a lot less money.”

My father had a point. That Buick and that Ferrari both do nothing more than take you from one place to another place. They help you get to work and back. They carry you home to your loved ones. You’re basically paying 20 times as much just so you can accelerate a little bit faster and have some prettier styling on the car.

* * *

When I look back on that experience, I can’t help but mentally compare the salaries between the two men.

I don’t know exactly what my father made in a year there, but let’s say he earned $30,000 in a given year. He had a lot of seniority and had ample opportunity for overtime work, so that’s probably a fair number.

He bought that Buick for $6,000 and drove it for about five years, so let’s say his cost per year was $1,200 for that car. He made $30,000 that year, so 4% of his salary was devoted to his car.

Now, what about that Ferrari dude? Let’s say he paid $120,000 for that car – he had to, given the time I saw him driving it. Let’s also say that he kept it for… I don’t know, how about three years? That means he paid about $40,000 per year for using that car. If that was 4% of his salary, he was making $1 million per year.

So, if that guy was actually bringing in $1 million a year, that car had roughly the same percentage impact on his income that my father’s Buick had on his $30,000 a year salary.

What if that guy owned a Buick like my father had? If it only cost him $1,200 a year, that means his car would only eat up 0.12% of the rich man’s salary. For comparison’s sake, that would be the same as only $36 to my father at that time.

You see, so much of what seems like wasteful spending by a rich person is often just a trivial part of their income.

Let’s take a look at how the average American spends their paycheck. In 2013, the average American household earned about $63,000 and thus had about $51,000 to spend after taxes, according to this data. They spent like this:

$9,004 was spent on transportation.
$6,602 was spent on food, of which $3,977 was spent on food at home and $2,625 was spent eating out.
$5,528 was spent on insurance and pensions.
$1,604 was spent on apparel.
$2,482 was spent on entertainment.
$17,148 was spent on housing.
$1,834 was spent on cash contributions.
$3,631 was spent on health care.
The remaining $3,267 was spent in other areas.

Now, let’s look at that as a percentage.

17.6% was spent on transportation.
12.9% was spent on food, of which 7.8% was spent on food at home and 5.1% was spent eating out.
10.8% was spent on insurance and pensions.
3.1% was spent on apparel.
4.9% was spent on entertainment.
33.6% was spent on housing.
3.6% was spent on cash contributions.
7.1% was spent on healthcare.
The remaining 6.4% was spent in other areas.

Now, let’s assume that someone brings home $1 million per year lived by the exact same percentage budget as the average American. Here’s how that person would spend their money.

$176,000 was spent on transportation.
$129,000 was spent on food, of which $78,000 was spent on food at home and $51,000 was spent eating out.
$108,000 was spent on insurance and pensions.
$31,000 was spent on apparel.
$49,000 was spent on entertainment.
$336,000 was spent on housing.
$36,000 was spent on cash contributions.
$71,000 was spent on healthcare.
The remaining $64,000 was spent in other areas.

That’s how a person bringing home a million bucks a year would spend their money if they subscribed to the exact same budget as the average American. A person prioritizing their spending like that is prioritizing in the exact same way the average American is, just with a bigger income to spend.

So, that guy who strolled out of my father’s factory and hopped into a Ferrari is doing exactly what a normal American would do if they earned a large income. That person wasn’t being wasteful by the standards of the budget of the average American.

* * *

So, what’s the point here? There are a few messages you can take home from this.

First, rich people only seem wasteful with their money if we apply different budget standards to them than we apply to ourselves. Let me show you what I mean as an example.

In an average year, it’s probably reasonable to think that we spend 15% of our income on transportation, for example. We have a seven-year-old Prius and an 11-year-old Honda Pilot and neither one is getting replaced soon. On the other hand, a person with $1 million to spend that spends 15% of their income on transportation could own things like a brand new Escalade, a BMW, and a Tesla S-Series to boot, all at once.

Does that seem over the top? Probably. Is there some gut feeling that the rich person should be doing something else with their money? Sure. But in doing that, we are expecting that rich person to spend a lower percentage of their income on transportation than we do.

You can do the same thing with a rich person’s housing expenses, their entertainment expenses, and so on. Their expenses seem over the top, but to expect that rich person to change things means that we’re expecting that rich person to budget differently than us.

But let’s flip that on its head. Let’s look at a person making minimum wage, 40 hours a week, 50 weeks a year. That person is making $14,500 per year and, most likely, bringing home almost all of it. Let’s look at that person’s budget if they match up to the “average American’s budget”:

$2,552 was spent on transportation – about $200 a month to fill up a car, maintain it, repair it, and replace it, or to ride mass transit and go without a car.

$1,870 was spent on food – about $150 a month.

$1,566 was spent on insurance and pensions – honestly, they probably scavenge out of this portion out of necessity, but this would cover car insurance and renter’s insurance.

$449 was spent on apparel – about $37 a month to keep shirts, shoes, socks, underwear, and pants on a person all year round.

$710 was spent on entertainment – about $60 a month.

$4,872 was spent on housing – about $400 a month. For housing.

$522 was spent on cash contributions, $1,029 was spent on healthcare, and the remaining $928 was spent in other areas.

That’s extremely tight for most people, without much breathing room, right? Here’s the thing – a lot of people make it on a budget like this. Those people who do look at the budget of the average American, and how they choose to spend their money, as simultaneously desirable and wasteful — much as the average American looks at the spending of the person bringing home $1 million a year.

Yet, underneath that, all of them are basically operating with the same percentages for their budgets. It’s pretty much the same budget – the only difference is income.

That’s why, looking back, that rich guy in that Ferrari outside of my father’s factory makes complete sense to me. He was, in many ways, budgeting his money exactly like my parents did. He had a Ferrari because it was inside that 15% or so of his income that went to transportation.

That’s why I’m not surprised when I read articles about how people with large incomes have a difficult time making ends meet. They’re using effectively the same budget as everyone else, dividing up their money in the same way, and it just doesn’t add up.

It doesn’t matter how much you make. If you spend money like the average American, you’re going to struggle. Period.

That’s why, if you want to change your outcomes, if you want to have the kind of financial freedoms that everyone else has, you have to spend differently than the average American. You can’t follow that recipe. That spending recipe for the average American won’t get you there.

So, where and how are you going to step away from that average American budget? Are you going to spend less on transportation? Maybe you’ll ride mass transit instead of having a car. Or, maybe you’ll spend less on housing and live in a little apartment.

By stepping away from that average budget, you gain something that the average American doesn’t have: Freedom. You’re planting a seed of freedom from all of the pressures and hard choices of your day-to-day life, and as you feed it by staying away from that average budget, you’re watching that seed grow and grow until, one day, you don’t need that job anymore. You can set your own rules.

Dave Ramsey really puts it well when he says, “You have to live like no one else so that you can live like no one else.”

Choose differently today so that you can live differently tomorrow. It works whether you’re the average American, the person earning a million a year, or the person barely making it. Choose differently than what you see in that average budget. Choose differently than what you see your neighbors choosing.

And, sooner than you think, you’ll have options they can scarcely dream of.

The post The Rich Man, the Average Budget, and You appeared first on The Simple Dollar.

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Top 5 Hustles to Bring in Extra Money

Increase your budget with these side business ideas. 

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4 Things Employers Want From Job Candidates

Ace the interview by putting yourself on the other side of the table.

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6 Free Sources for Home Design Inspiration

Ready to redecorate? Check out these websites, catalogs and design centers for ideas.

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Why Millennials Are Dominating the Housing Market

Buyers of all ages can learn from the newly acquired real estate skills of Gen Y.

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21 Things Hiring Managers Wish You Knew

Get hired by thinking like the employer.

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10 Things to Know Before You Shop for Back-to-School Supplies

You can trim prices by spreading your purchases out over many weeks.

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Walmart Positioned To Drive Omni-Channel Marketing In Global Retailing

The company's holistic approach is paving the way in retail. But columnist Josh Manion believes Walmart and other brands need to take steps to deliver on the promise of the omni-channel experience.

Please visit Marketing Land for the full article.

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Confusion about value puts customers off switching banks

Tom Wilson

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Consumers are put off switching current accounts because they cannot meaningfully compare the value offered by different accounts.

Consumers are put off switching current accounts because they cannot meaningfully compare the value offered by different accounts.

Some 55% of people find it impossible to determine the value of their current account, and only 14% believe there are large differences in the value offered by different accounts.

Confusion about value puts customers off switching banks

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Consumers are put off switching current accounts because they cannot meaningfully compare the value offered by different accounts. Some 55% of people find it impossible to determine the value of their current account, and only 14% believe there are large differences in the value offered by different accounts. They are also worried about the difficulties of changing bank, according to market research for Tesco Bank. Benny Higgins, Tesco Bank's chief executive, said: "Customers are telling us that more needs to be done to enable them to understand the true cost and value of their current account. Only then will customers be able to secure a fair return on their money, and avoid paying excessive overdraft charges." In March 2015, the government launched the MiData initiative, partnering with Gocompare.com to create an app that provides personal guidance on the best bank account, based on their own habits. Matt Sanders, money expert at Gocompare.com, said: "The MiData comparison tool means that customers can actually see which current accounts are best suited to their banking habits and financial circumstances, rather than being swayed by seemingly attractive switching incentives and marketing messages." Customers can use the service by downloading their MiData current account data via their online banking screen, and then uploading this to the comparison tool at http://ift.tt/1K3H3jL. It is only available for customers of participating banks, which are currently: RBS, NatWest, Ulster Bank, Lloyds, Halifax, Bank of Scotland, Nationwide, Santander, HSBC, First Direct and Barclays. The service then calculates what they'd have paid across a range of current accounts, factoring in things like overdraft usage, typical balances and spending abroad, and then in a few seconds shows the best value account, including a pounds and pence estimate for how much they'd save. The research also found consumers are far less likely to switch current account than other financial products, with just 6% of people having switched in the last year, compared to 29% for car insurance. The process of switching current account has become much easier following the introduction of new rules in October 2013. These ensure switching bank will take no more than a seven working days, and that direct debits and standing orders are automatically transferred to the new account.

1.2 million switch bank account in past 12 months

Banks launch 'Midata' current account comparison tool

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Buyers' Guide - Current Accounts

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Netflix rival’s bold Asian move

IT’S the streaming service that’s failed to post a profit in its 12-year history. Now, the Aussie rival to Netflix, Stan and Presto is looking overseas.

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Former Aussie diplomat arrested in Jakarta

FORMER Australian diplomat Patrick Alexander has been arrested in Indonesia amid disputes over a coal project and a Bali villa.

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100 Free Summer Activities for Kids, Adults and Everyone In Between

Are you still looking for that great summer experience? We’ve got 100 ideas to help you make the most of your summer — and best of all, they’re all free.

Yes, this means 100 free summer activities for kids, parents, friends and more. From camping to coding, use our list to make this summer the best — and most affordable — summer ever.

The Great Outdoors

You can find tons of great free outdoor activities.

1. Parks

Whether you live in a small town or a big city, chances are there’s a free park nearby, ready for you to stop by and enjoy the afternoon.

2. Playgrounds

Swingsets and slides are great places for kids to run and play, but they’re fun for adults too!

Take the kids to the playground, or go after sunset with someone special and swing side-by-side.

3. Picnics

Make a couple of peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches, or spend a morning deviling up some eggs. Then pack your picnic basket, grab a blanket and enjoy dining al fresco.

4. Hiking

Parks, lakes and other natural features often come with marked hiking trails. They also often designate the trail’s skill level, and provide options for beginner hikers as well as people with experience. Make sure to wear comfortable, sturdy shoes!

5. Swimming

There are two ways to swim for free in the summer: See if local pools offer Free Swim days, or check out the beaches, lakes and swimming holes in your area.

6. Kite-flying

As Mary Poppins put it: Let’s go fly a kite! If you don’t already have a kite, it’s pretty easy to make your own.

7. Stargazing

Looking at the stars is always free, so find a cloudless night and use a star chart to identify Orion, Cassiopeia and other constellations.

8. Camping

Some campsites charge money, but others let campers stay for free. Look for free campsites in your area and then pack up the car, the tents and the marshmallows!

9. Backyard Camping

Where better to pitch your tent than in your own backyard? I went backyard camping as a kid, and it was a fun way to experience the thrill of sleeping outdoors. Plus, it’s one campsite you don’t have to pay for!

Arts and Entertainment

 

Enjoy a little culture, free of charge.

10. Outdoor Movies

Many towns and cities have free outdoor movies in the summer. Bring a blanket and get there early to claim your spot!

11. Free Movies

Outdoor movies aren’t the only way to see free flicks this summer. Check out our list of nine ways to see free movies for more options.

12. Outdoor Theater

Whether you’re watching Shakespeare in the Park or a summer musical, plenty of cities offer free outdoor theater in the summer.

13. Usher at Theaters

Can’t find free theater in your area? Volunteer to become an usher, and you’ll get to see the shows for free.

Don’t forget about community theaters; they often need ushers too, and sometimes they put on the best shows in town.

14. Summer Concerts

Free outdoor summer concerts, from show choirs to rock shows, are as much a part of summer as ice cream and flip-flops. Check out the schedule in your area.

15. Social Dancing

If your area has a large social dance scene, look for free social dance nights or outdoor dance festivals. Then get ready to swing and tango!

16. Museum Free Days

Nearly all museums offer free admission days, so figure out when you can go for free and enjoy an afternoon spent in air-conditioned comfort.

17. Open Mic Night

Are you a singer, a storyteller or a poet? Look for open mic nights and use them to share your best work. Some open mic nights come with an admission cost, but many are free.

18. Bookstore Author Nights

Bookstores regularly invite authors to give readings from their newest books, and you rarely have to buy the book to attend.

19. Public Lectures

Many communities have free public lecture series, so see what’s being presented in your area. You could learn about anything from aardvarks to zydeco.

In the Community

Get to know your neighborhood.

20. Community Events

Check your local newspaper or community calendar for free community events like ice cream socials or 5K runs.

21. Volunteering

When you’re checking your community calendar for free events, look for volunteer opportunities as well. You can also look up your favorite local organizations to see if they need volunteers.

Volunteering is a great way to give back — and yes, it’s free!

22. Hometown Tourism

If a friend or relative visited your town or city, what special sights would you show that person? Why not explore those places yourself?

Being a hometown tourist is not only free, it is also one of Gretchen Rubin’s Happiness Project Resolutions.

23. Next-Town-Over Tourism

Are you a little bored with your hometown? Try being a tourist in the next town over. See what free sights, parks and other experiences it has to offer!

24. Window Shopping

Just because you don’t want to spend money doesn’t mean you can’t have the fun of shopping.

Window-shopping is a great way to explore a new neighborhood or check out a store you’ve never visited before. You have to have really good self-control, though — no impulse buys!

25. Farmers Markets

Here’s another free activity that requires just a little self-control: visiting a farmers market and enjoying the free samples. You’ll get to taste freshly made cheese, just-picked strawberries and other delights.

26. Adopt a Grandparent

Does your community have a senior center or nursing home? Ask about opportunities to volunteer with residents, or see if your area has an Adopt a Grandparent program to connect families and kids with older citizens.

27. Meetup Group

Meetup.com gives you the opportunity to connect with other community members who share similar interests, from orienteering to knitting.

Some groups might meet in places that cost money, such as coffee shops, so look for groups that meet in free spaces like the public library.

28. Public Library

How could we get this far without mentioning the library? Your public library has a wealth of free books, movies, music and games for you and your family to enjoy.

Many public libraries also host free events, lectures, movie nights and even special programs like “speed dating for book lovers!”

Self-Improvement

 

Whether you focus on organization or creativity, try one of these fun, beneficial activities.

29. Morning Pages

Fans of Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way are already familiar with the idea of waking up every morning and writing three pages on whatever’s on your mind.

It’s a great way to process emotions, explore ideas or even write short fiction. It’s also absolutely free.

30. Gratitude Journal

Write your Morning Pages as soon as you get up. Then, at the end of the day, write down three things in your Gratitude Journal. These can be three things you’re grateful for, or they can be three happy memories from the day.

This is another Gretchen Rubin tip, by the way; her Happiness Project books are full of free ways to improve your life and feel happier.

31. Walk 10,000 Steps

If you’re looking to improve your general health, start by walking. Aim for a 10,000-step-per-day goal, which is about five miles.

If you don’t already have a pedometer, use a free pedometer app to track your steps — or just walk around a park or a track for about an hour.

32. Couch to 5K

Ready for something a little more intense? Try spending your summer going from couch to 5K — that’s a 5K run, of course.

The Couch to 5K program helps beginner runners slowly work their way up to a 5K run by steadily increasing the distance run every day. There are also free apps to help you track your couch to 5K progress.

33. 7-Minute Workout

The New York Times’ 7-Minute Workout is another great — and free — way to stay fit.

All of the exercises are designed to be performed at home, with no special equipment. Push up and crunch your way to physical fitness, in just seven minutes per day.

34. Declutter Your Home

Whether you use the KonMari method or make it up as you go along, taking the time to declutter will leave your home feeling refreshed and re-energized for fall.

Trust us — you’ll be glad you took the time to clear out those old papers and get rid of those old clothes.

35. Read All the Books on Your Nightstand

If you’re anything like me, your nightstand has at least five half-finished books stacked on it. Finish them, and then put them away!

For the Family

 

Spending time together is priceless.

36. Family Dinner

How often does the entire family sit down to eat dinner together — and how often does that dinner last for more than 10 minutes?

Use summer’s more relaxed schedule to plan regular family meals where you not only eat together, but also share conversation and enjoy each other’s company.

37. Tell Your Day

How can you make these family dinners memorable? Try the “tell your day” technique, where each family member goes around and shares the story of his or her day.

If you need additional inspiration, ask everyone to share one good thing and one challenge from their day.

38. Family Cooking Projects

Make these family meals even more special by inviting kids to help cook.

Whether you’re making cool, sweet treats like fruit juice popsicles or passing down your secret spaghetti sauce recipe, you’ll be making both food and memories in the kitchen.

39. Chronicle Family History

Do you have a record of your family’s history? How far back can you track grandparents, great-grandparents and extended relatives?

Write down family stories and interview relatives to learn more about your family and its many generations.

40. Make a Time Capsule

Look to the future by making a time capsule. Let kids choose what they want to include, from school photos to a list of favorite toys.

Then, bury the time capsule in the backyard or put it away somewhere safe so it can be found by future generations — or so you can dig it up when your kids become adults!

41. Family Book Club

Choose a family-friendly book for everyone to read and discuss together.

42. Family Movie Club

Make a plan to watch every Harry Potter movie, or every Pixar movie, as a family.

Introduce kids to classics like The Three Stooges. Or, have a weekly family movie night and let everyone take turns picking the movie.

43. Family Game Night

Was it Mr. Green in the library with the revolver? Who can build the Longest Road? Family game nights are great ways to spend time together without spending money.

44. The Longest Picture in the World

In Beverly Cleary’s Ramona and her Father, the Quimby father and daughter work together to draw The Longest Picture in the World.

Use paper with one side printed, tape and crayons or markers to create your own Longest Picture as a family.

45. Family Slumber Party

Grab your jammies and your sleeping bags and have a family slumber party in the living room.

46. Yes Day

Amy Krouse Rosenthal’s Yes Day is about how parents can create magic for their children by simply agreeing to say yes to every request for one full day. Yes, you can eat ice cream for breakfast. Yes, you can have another hour of screen time.

Have a Yes Day in your house for anything that doesn’t cost money, and see if it isn’t the most memorable day of the year!

47. Family Band

Whether your kids have a year or two of piano lessons under their belt or they’re still learning how to play the recorder, have fun spending an afternoon together singing and recording your family’s favorite songs.

Don’t forget to send the recording to Grandma — she’s going to love it.

48. Shakespeare in the Backyard

Work with your kids to stage a play or put on a talent show in the backyard. Use toys and dress-up clothes as props and costumes, and invite friends to come over and see the show!

49. Family Sports Day

Play parents-vs-kids basketball, show your kids how to play HORSE, mark off a baseball diamond in the backyard or teach your kids the many “rules” of Calvinball.

50. Craft Time

Turn cardboard, milk cartons, K-cups and other recyclable goods into fun family craft projects.

If you need inspiration, here’s a list of 1,000 recycled craft ideas, from placemats to space ships.

51. Parent Date Night

Leave the kids with grandparents or arrange a free babysitting swap. Then go out for a much-needed date night, doing free activities like stargazing, going to an outdoor concert or having a picnic.

52. One-on-one Kid Dates

Take each of your kids out for a special one-on-one kid date. Do free, fun activities like hanging out at the playground or visiting a museum.

Programs for Kids

They can learn new skills, enjoy classic entertainment options and read every book they can get their hands on.

53. Lowe’s Build and Grow

Get your kids excited about building with Lowe’s Build and Grow workshops. These free workshops help kids build small wooden projects like Hulk’s Tank, and your kids come home with a free apron, goggles and patch to commemorate the day.

54. Apple Camp

Apple offers free three-day camps to teach kids how to use iMovie and iBooks to create their own films and stories. Sign up well in advance because these camps fill up fast.

55. Barnes and Noble Summer Reading

If your kids love reading, they can earn a free book by signing up for the Barnes and Noble Summer Reading program and reading eight books of their choice.

56. Pottery Barn Weekly Story Time

Pottery Barn offers a weekly Story Time for kids and families. If you become a Pottery Barn book club member, kids receive a special gift after attending five Story Time sessions.

57. TD Bank Summer Reading Program

TD Bank is ready to reward readers in its summer reading program. If your child reads ten books, TD Bank will deposit $10 into a Young Saver account.

58. Half Price Books Summer Reading Program

Half Price Books rewards young readers with Bookworm Bucks. Elementary and middle school kids track reading minutes in a log to earn their Bookworm Bucks, and high school students write short book reports to earn their Bucks.

59. Pizza Hut BookIt! Summer Reading Challenge

A lot of us remember participating in BookIt! as children. It’s still around, and Pizza Hut is offering a summer reading challenge — and the opportunity to win prizes — to young readers.

60. Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge

Wow, there are a lot of free reading programs out there! The Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge invites kids to read books, win virtual prizes and help set a new reading world record.

61. Kids Bowl Free

Use the Kids Bowl Free website to find free bowling opportunities in your area.

62. Kids Skate Free

Use the Kids Skate Free website to find free skating opportunities in your area.

63. Six Flags Bring a Friend Free

Six Flags offers Bring a Friend Free days throughout the summer.

These free days are only good for Season Pass holders, so you can either use your Season Pass to invite one of your child’s friends to come along for free, or your child could be the free friend brought along on someone else’s Season Pass.

For You and Your Friends

 

Adults can enjoy free activities, too.

64. Progressive Dinner

With a progressive dinner, you and your friends each take on one part of the dinner experience (appetizers, salad course, main course, dessert, etc.) and then you travel from one home to another until dinner is complete.

65. Babysitting Swap

Exchange free babysitting with a friend: You’ll watch their kids one night, and they’ll watch yours another night.

66. Housesitting Swap

Have a long-distance bestie who also wants a low-cost summer vacation?

Arrange a housesitting swap: you’ll stay in your friend’s house, and your friend will stay in yours. Free lodging, and you get to explore a new city!

67. Clothing Swap

Have your friends bring their gently worn clothes and enjoy swapping your way into new favorite outfits.

68. Toy Swap

Have your friends bring their gently worn toys and swap them for the toys your kids no longer use.

69. Jam Session

Invite your musically inclined friends over for an evening jam session.

70. Baseball Game

Invite your athletically inclined friends over to play baseball in the park or in a backyard.

71. Tabletop Night

Invite your friends over to play Cards Against Humanity or Ticket to Ride.

72. Hang Out

You don’t always have to plan an event for your friends. Just invite them to come over and hang out! It’s easy and free!

Go Online

 

On those rainy summer days, try one of these options.

73. Khan Academy

Whether you want to learn about JavaScript or Javanese shadow plays, Khan Academy offers free educational content, including practice exercises, to help teach you nearly anything you want to know.

74. Project Gutenberg

Get free access to nearly every public domain book through Project Gutenberg.

You can even read Project Gutenberg books on your Kindle or ebook reader, or the free Kindle app.

75. LibriVox

Prefer your books in audio form? LibriVox offers free audio versions of public domain books, read by volunteers. (Yes, you can volunteer to record LibriVox books too! It’s one more free, fun summer activity.)

76. JayIsGames

Like games? JayIsGames features the best browser and computer games out there, from RPGs to locked room games to interactive novels. A few games are pay-to-play, but the majority are free.

77. Hulu

Watch hours of free TV shows and movies through Hulu, from Seinfeld to Wayward Pines.

If you want to watch some of the premium content available at Hulu Plus, sign up for a free trial period and cancel when your trial ends. Hulu also has a lot of great kids’ programming.

78. Kindle Owners’ Lending Library

If you have a Kindle, are you taking advantage of the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library?

Kindle owners who are also Amazon Prime users have access to more than 800,000 books in this library, all for free.

79. Skype With Relatives

Set up free Skype sessions with relatives you don’t see very often, or introduce your kids to their second cousins!

If you’ve got grandparents who are tech-savvy, consider setting up a weekly or twice-monthly Skype session to keep in touch and get to know each other a little better.

80. Learn a New Language

Summer is a great time to begin learning a new language. We’ve got eight free language-learning tools to help you get started.

81. Learn to Code

Would you rather learn a computer language?

Summer is a great time to practice your coding skills. Start with Khan Academy or try some of the free content at Code School.

82. Make Movies

Have you always wanted to make a short film or start a vlog? You probably have all of the tools you need already on your laptop.

If you’d like to put your vlogs or cat videos online, we’ve got advice on how to make money with YouTube.

83. Record Music

Your laptop also probably has most of what you need to record music — all you have to do is come up with the hit song!

Record your songs and sell them through Bandcamp, or check out our other ideas for making money with music.

84. Make Awesome Vines

Chances are you’ve probably seen or shared someone’s hilarious Vine, so why not learn how to make one of your own?

85. Get Into Periscope

Periscope is the latest must-have social media app; it allows you to livestream your favorite moments and share them with your friends. Get the free app and start telling your own story.

86. Laugh at YouTube’s Best Webseries

YouTube has plenty of great original webseries, from the teen-friendly Lizzie Bennet Diaries to the classic geek comedy The Guild. If you’re looking for something fun and free to watch, try a webseries.

87. Binge-watch Your Favorite TV Show

Whether you’re a Gilmore Girls fan or you’re more into The X-Files, summer is the time for binge-watching your old favorite TV shows, or introducing your kids to Mulder and Scully.

If you’ve already subscribed to Netflix or Hulu Plus, this should be easy; if not, get around the paywall by signing up for a free month and seeing how many episodes you can squeeze in before your trial period ends.

88. Empty Your DVR Queue

Remember how we told you to read every book collecting dust on your nightstand? Same goes for your DVR queue. Watch it or delete it, but set it free.

89. Apple Workshops

If you considered skipping this section because you don’t consider yourself “a computer person,” head over to the nearest Apple store and take one of their free workshops. You can learn how to use iMovie, connect through FaceTime and more.

Saving and Earning Money

 

What’s better than free? Making money.

90. Resell Clothes Online

You can clothing swap your old clothes, or you can sell them online using sites like Tradesy and Poshmark. Use our clothing resale guide to get started.

91. Resell Books Online

After you’ve sold your old clothes, it’s time to make money by selling your old books. We’ve got a guide for that, too.

92. Have a Yard Sale

A classic summer activity that combines decluttering with earning cash. What could be better?

We’ve got 11 tips to make your yard sale a huge success.

93. Start a Coin Jar

Get the whole family involved in saving by setting up a coin jar and encouraging everyone to drop in their change.

Add extra motivation by creating a family goal, such as a day at the water park, and taping the goal to the jar.

94. Update Your Resume

When’s the last time you updated your resume? For better or worse, it’s something you can do for free on a summer day when you’ve got time on your hands.

95. Update Your LinkedIn Profile

While you’re updating your resume, you might as well update your LinkedIn profile. When’s the last time you added new skills or asked for a recommendation?

96. Make a Five-Year Plan

Where do you want to be in five years? Take a summer afternoon to sit down and think about your goals and dreams — as well as what you need to do to get there.

97. Talk About Money With Your Significant Other

Are you on the same page about money? Check in and see whether your five-year plans match up, and create a budget to help you reach your goals.

98. Get Out of Debt

If one of your goals is to get out of debt, you can start working on that right now.

Take a look at this step-by-step debt repayment plan and see how much money you can put aside every month.

99. Sign Up for Money-Making Sites

Want to earn a little extra money to pay down debt or plan for next year’s summer vacation?

Sign up for a money-making site like SBK Center, which literally pays you for your junk mail, or browse The Penny Hoarder’s other money-making opportunities.

100. Start Planning for Fall Expenses

The last free thing you want to do this summer? Start planning for fall.

Whether you’re budgeting for back-to-school or thinking about college and retirement costs, taking time to plan now will mean saving money in the long run — and thinking ahead is always free.

Your Turn: What’s your favorite free summer activity? Anything on this list you want to try?

Disclosure: We have a serious Taco Bell addiction around here. The affiliate links in this post help us order off the dollar menu. Thanks for your support!

Nicole Dieker is a freelance writer focusing on personal finance and personal stories. Her work has appeared in The Billfold, The Toast, Yearbook Office, The Write Life and Boing Boing.

The post 100 Free Summer Activities for Kids, Adults and Everyone In Between appeared first on The Penny Hoarder.

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