On the way to the pool with your friends, stop at a pharmacy, grocery store, or convenience store and pick up a waterproof disposable camera ($5.99-$10.99). Throw it into your new beach bag (www.ae.com has several darling summer tote bags on clearance from $6.95-$19.99) and drive off listening to Maroon 5’s latest album “It Won’t be Soon Before Long” * (available on iTunes w/bonus track for $9.99). *After publishing this article, it has come to our attention at *Jen* that this album is not entirely clean. To find music that is entirely clean, visit YoungLDSMusic.com.

After you get your pictures developed, visit any home discount store and find a photo organizer (TJ Maxx or Nordstrom’s Rack have many photo albums or organizers between $9.99-$19.99). Sit around a bonfire with your friends and family eating peanut butter cup s’mores (Substitute Hershey’s Peanut Butter Cups in place of Hershey’s Milk Chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers, all under $5.00) and organize all of your photos including your recent swimming pictures by year, event, or age.

Gather a few dollars from your friends and invest in three kid sized swimming pools and a slip ‘n slide for a competitive game of water kick ball (pools on clearance at Target, Shopko or K-Mart from $4.99-$9.99). Slide into home to win the game and later that night, celebrate in your new summer dress top (Jade or Yellow Knit Dress for $13.80 at www.forever21.com) at your favorite local diner (no more than $10.00 or that is one fancy diner).

On a rainy evening rent Miss Potter starring Renee Zellweger, rated PG, from the McDonald’s Red Box ($1.00) or your favorite movie place (usually $3.99). Before bed wash your face using Purity face wash ($9.99 at www.sephora.com) and curl up under the covers to finish off Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows ($18.00 at Costco) if you haven’t already.

If you want to throw a party before school starts, make it a fiesta with homemade quesadillas and salsa (see recipes below). For the occasion throw on a Shade t-shirt (Heathered Tee in Marine on sale for $12.00 at www.shadeclothing.com), your favorite casual black or denim skirt, and some funky orange flip flops from Old Navy (on sale for $2.00).

Afraid you are losing your tan? Dove Tanning Lotion ($6.99-$9.99) saves your skin from UV Rays and leaves you with a streak free and more importantly orange free tan. Invite some friends over for a girl’s night in and give yourselves manicures (file $1.00, cuticle pusher $0.59, nail polish $2.99-$4.99). For dessert, serve a low fat trifle (see recipe below).

All of these ideas require a little spending money so if you aren’t interested in using your well earned cash, go online and search for free events in your community. Fun doesn’t require spending a ton of money. It CAN be created out of just about anything.

Lastly, the most important way to end your summer successfully is by serving others. Maybe that means helping with a church activity or going through your clothes and donating them to the Salvation Army or Deseret Industries. Maybe you could ask your parents about family history, offer to baby-sit the neighbor’s kids or take a meal to someone who might be sick. The possibilities are endless and serving others will make you feel like a million dollars.

Don’t think of your summer as being almost over. Ok well, it is almost over so it’s an unavoidable thought. Instead, don’t worry that it’s almost over. Just make the most of what you have left.

Homemade Tortillas
4 c flour
1 2/3 c boiling water
2/3 c shortening
2 t baking powder
2 t salt

Roll out while still hot. Cook both sides on stovetop or grill. For quesadillas, cook one side, flip, and spread cheese, grilled chicken, green chilies or red onion on one half of the tortilla. When other side is cooked, fold bare half of the tortilla over the toppings. When the cheese has melted, remove, cut, and serve with a side of fresh salsa, sour cream and/or guacamole.

Homemade Fresh Salsa
4 medium sized ripe tomatoes
½ chopped green pepper
¼ chopped red onion
1 t finely chopped garlic
1 lime
2 T olive oil
salt and pepper
cayenne pepper (optional)

Chop tomatoes in half and drain out seeds and excess juice. Dice the tomatoes, green pepper and red onion and mix together with the finely chopped garlic. Squeeze juice from lime into tomato mixture and add the olive oil and salt and pepper as well. Mix together and let marinate in the fridge. Add cayenne pepper to the salsa for extra spice.

Low Fat Trifle
1 Betty Crocker White Cake Mix
1 1.5 oz box of Fat Free/Sugar Free Jell-O Vanilla Pudding
2 small boxes of strawberries
1 0.6 oz box of Sugar Free Strawberry Jell-O
1 small box of blueberries

Prepare the white cake mix using applesauce instead of oil. Prepare the pudding as directed with skim milk. Prepare Strawberry Jell-O as directed and add ¾ of the strawberries to it. In a glass dish, layer the cake, pudding, and strawberries alternately. Garnish with remaining strawberries and blueberries.