City Hall during "Glendale Glitters"
There are a wide variety of resources available to the resident intent on learning live frugally in Glendale, AZ. Considered a suburb of Phoenix, Glendale is an attractive area that capitalizes on its smaller-city appeal and the large number of antique shows and shops it has managed to attract. With a median income of about $45,015, this is an attractive city where thrifty living is highly encouraged.
Instructions
For Homeowners
1. Sign up for one or more free landscape classes geared toward homeowners who want to save water and money. These classes are held at the Glendale Main Library at 5959 W. Brown St. They provide tips, tricks and gardening techniques, teaching you to reduce the money you spend on watering your garden by changing your landscaping.
2. Take advantage of the various landscape rebates for which you may qualify simply by changing your landscaping. The rebates are capped at $750, and when added to the money you save by reducing the water you use when gardening, this really adds up. Information about these rebates is available by calling the Glendale Water Conservation effort at (623) 930-3760.
3. Become a Glendale Star Volunteer. You may join the local library or a community volunteer program, or give some clerical support to an office in need. In return, you are eligible to receive discounts on Disneyland and Water World admissions, save money with certain Glendale merchants, purchase reduced-price movie tickets, and even qualify for cost reductions on travel packages.
4. Spend the day at the Glendale Adult Center, located at 5970 W. Brown St. It's open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and then again from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p,.m. on Saturday. Adults of all ages participate in recreational activities: Glendale residents can play pool, eat lunch, read or spend time online. You may become a member by paying $8. This small amount saves you the need to pay for your own Internet access, air conditioning and electricity. Get more information by calling (602 762-0499.
5. Leave the car at home and learn to take public transportation. Light rail and the bus system provide ample opportunities to get around. You can even plan your trip with the Valley Metro Trip Planner online. (Follow the link in Resources.) You can ride all day for only $2.50, saving a lot of money on car insurance, car maintenance and gasoline.
For Parents
6. Enroll your child in activities sponsored by the City of Glendale rather than a sports club or art school. The cost is more reasonable, and the programs are limited to a few weeks or months in duration, allowing your child to shift gears and try something different. In clubs and leagues, you are stuck after having paid copious membership fees.
7. Become informed about local museums’ free days. For example, the Phoenix Art Museum offers free admission to everyone from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays and from 6 p.,m. to 10 p.m. every first Friday evening . The museum is located at 1625 N. Central Ave. in Phoenix. This is a wonderful opportunity to spend some time soaking in culture with your older kids and not spend a dime on admission.
8. Sign up online for the free Arts and Culture E-newsletter. Preteens and teens will enjoy many of the free activities, such as the annual “Ballet Under the Stars.” Having this newsletter in your inbox allows you to plan for your family outings and budget wisely when it comes to which events to attend, and of which free museum days to take advantage.
9. Contact your local library about the various events hosted for children. There is the usual story-time hour, but there is also toddler time, an assemblage of young crafters, and even mini movers and baby time. Teen poetry nights provide another great service for those older kids ready to showcase their work. Contact the Children’s and Teen Services and Programs department by calling (623) 930-3537.
10. Involve your high schooler in volunteering with the Youth Advisory Commission under the supervision of Glendale’s mayor. If accepted, your older child will spend extracurricular time soliciting toy donations for children at the local hospital, and a lot less time at the mall or asking you for expensive lessons or gadgets. As a parent, you can live frugally by encouraging your child to partake of one of the many volunteer opportunities that exist in Glendale, even for the younger set.
Tags: your child, changing your, changing your landscaping, live frugally, local library