A Frugal Family Fall

A trip with the family to Strawberry Acres in Coplay over the weekend was successful on many frugal levels. First, there were kids' activities: animals to feed (50 cents), unlimited time on turbo tube slide ($1); and pony rides ($3). For less than $5, our little guy had a fun afternoon.

Then, the apple picking. Jonagold apples were 25 cents a pound, and Bosc pears, 35 cents a pound. Family entertainment and frugal food shopping in one trip - bonus. 

The bus ride to the orchard is always one of the high points for the little man. He chose to sit over the wheel because I told him it was the bumpiest stop.

And, of course no trip to any farm this time of year is complete without a pumpkin or two (or four in our case). Thanks to a coupon from DoubleTakeDeals.com, I saved $10 and paid just $11.95 for the pumpkins. Here’s also a coupon for Unangst Tree Farm in Bath. Pay $10 for $20 worth of Fall décor, pumpkins and admission to a corn maze.

Another frugal opportunity to enjoy the fall, pick pumpkins, eat apples and see local farms will be along the Open Gate Farm Tour in Lehigh County on Oct. 16. This year, 31 farms are part of the tour, which will run from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

For the apple pickers, what to do with the 30-plus pounds of apples you bring home? Easy, frugal Fall décor.

Slice the apples, soak them for 20 minutes in water with a few teaspoons of lemon juice and a little salt and pat dry. Put them in the oven at the lowest setting until dry yet ‘bendy,’ or in your dehydrator for two hours, and you’re good to go. I sprinkle mine with cinnamon before drying as well.

You can get some basic supplies at  and craft stores. Using wire, string the dried apple slices together to make a wreath (22-gauge wire seems to work rather well when doubled) or put them in a bowl with cinnamon sticks for a cute table decoration. 

I sliced enough apples for two wreaths and barely made a dent in our basket of apples so it looks like I'll be making apple butter next weekend.