The opportunities for summertime fun in Kelowna are endless. But with so much fun to be had, it can also be easy to — erm — overextend your finances. All those patio brunches, wine tours and road trips really start to add up after a while, which can lead to stress in the long run.
“If you spend too much over the summer months, it can take several months to repay,” said Dustin Read, Branch Manager at Valley First, a Division of First West Credit Union in downtown Kelowna. “These additional costs and expenses are often charged to a credit card or line of credit, which come with added interest costs.”
So how do you make the most of summer, without sacrificing the occasional fancy latte in the fall? First, make a budget — whether it’s weekly, for the weekend or for a special trip or event. Then, get creative and look out for fun opportunities that won’t break the bank!
“The Okanagan has so much to offer, and not all of it has to cost a lot of money,” added Read.
Here are a few ideas to help get you started — most of them right in the downtown core!
The music scene in Kelowna has been growing at an impressive rate. There are tons of opportunities to catch free live shows, especially in the summer.
Parks Alive! has been bringing free live music to Kelowna for years, and there are plenty of great acts on the 2019 schedule. You can also check out Jazz Jams at the Rotary Centre for the Arts by donation every Thursday to either listen or play along.
There are also several restaurants and bars that offer open mic nights and free music for patrons on certain days of the week. On Thursdays, discover up and coming local artists at Red Bird Brewing or check out the open mic nights at O’Flannigan’s Pub and Kettle River Brewing. Jam Night Wednesdays at the Grateful Fed are always a great time, and The Vibrant Vine often has free live entertainment on Saturdays and Sundays.
Milkcrate Records and DunnEnzies also host affordable shows on a regular basis. Rock on.
We all know that working out on your own can be free, but being part of a group can be so much more motivating and keeps you accountable.
The November Project offers free outdoor workouts every Wednesday at 6:29 a.m. at the Sails. If you’re not a morning person, the Okanagan Run Collective meets for a group jog every Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.
Both are free and open to all fitness levels. All you have to do is show up!
Cutting patio drinks out of your summer plans? Fat chance. Luckily, Kelowna is all about those happy hours.
Almost every restaurant and bar has some kind of a happy hour or daily special. Some popular ones to check out include Earls, El Taquero, Craft, Train Station Pub and Central. Wing Wednesdays at Tonics are also a must-try for wing fans, and Kelly O’Bryan’s has two for one appies after 9:00 p.m. Pachos with extra cheese, please!
Kelowna is home to plenty of cute markets and free events throughout the summer — you just need to know where to look! Exploring markets and events can be a great way to have fun without spending a bunch of money (just make sure you budget properly for your market spending so that you can support local artisans without going broke!).
There is a satellite Farmer’s Market downtown every Sunday throughout the summer, the perfect time to load up on fresh produce and goodies for the week! There are also some great artisan markets taking place throughout the city this summer which you can learn more about here.
If you’re interested in learning something new, head to Stuart Park on Wednesday evenings for Dancing in the Park or to the Art Gallery on Thursdays for free admission.
Keep your eyes peeled for other fun events and activities throughout the summer by checking out posters and event listings!
If you’re planning on buying a couple drinks anyway, why not add in some free entertainment? Trivia Nights have really become a thing in Kelowna.
On Mondays, head to Tonic’s or Train Station Pub. On Tuesdays, Carlos O’Bryan’s is where it’s at. Wednesday has a few options — Creekside Pub, Rusty’s and O’Flannigans. On Thursdays, 97 Street Pub has got your back!
One of the best ways to make sure that you can enjoy all that summer has to offer is to plan accordingly.
“Start saving early in the year,” said Read. “What works for me, and what we suggest to our members, is to open up separate savings accounts for upcoming expenses — whether it’s a week of camping, the ultimate road trip or just a summer splurge account.”
“Divide the amount by the number of paycheques until you need to use the savings, and set up a pre-authorized transfer to this account. You will barely notice on every paycheque, and now you have funds for summer fun!” added Read. “I also recommend overestimating these costs. It’s the worst to have just barely enough, and then have to resort to a credit card for last-minute, unplanned expenses.”
If you need helping building a budget, a savings plan or need someone to have a second look at your finances, please don’t hesitate to reach out! Dustin can be reached at DRead@valleyfirst.com.
Valley First is a division of First West Credit Union with locations spanning the Okanagan, Similkameen and Thompson Valleys. Valley First offers banking, borrowing, insurance and investment services, as well as sound financial advice.
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