“Back in my day, you could buy movie ticket for $0.50 and a gallon of gas for $0.25.”

These are the famous words that plague kids and teenagers today, coming from the parents and grandparents who are a little too fond of reminiscing about the past. In the year 1962, an iPad was something you put over your eye when it hurt and the only significance an apple had was to keep the doctor away.

Although we made major advancements in almost every aspect of life in the last 52 years, there is one thing they had right.

During the summer, teenagers often look for fun things to do without having to spend a lot of money. In the past, going to the movies, getting lunch or even venturing up to Disneyland were all viable options that were affordable and enjoyable.

A movie ticket in 2007 was $6.88. Now, only a few years later, the price has almost doubled. A regular movie pass for a regular movie is $12.00. A once-fun activity to get out of the house with your friends is now almost not worth it. You might as well just stay home and watch something on Netflix.

Disneyland recently released updated prices and changes to their one day passes and annual passports. A one day “park-hopper” ticket is now $150 up form a previous $137 and $99 before that. The extremely popular Southern California annual pass, open to all residents of Southern California, gave admittance on most weekdays as well as Sundays. This pass is now suspended and no longer available for purchase.

It is undeniable prices for everything have skyrocketed in the past couple of years. Summertime staples are now becoming out of reach for the normal, typically low-on-funds, high school student. Although the situation is disheartening and depressing, there is no need to call it a ruined summer yet. If you can get a little creative, you can find many local gems that will still allow you to have a great and cheap summer. Carlsbad has so much to offer if you are willing to try something new.

The number one solution to a problem of this kind is, of course, the beach. If you are willing to brave the crowds of tourists that storm the sand, this is the perfect way to spend time during the summer. Beautiful Carlsbad weather coupled with refreshing salt water and golden rays of sunshine, the beach will never disappoint.

Another enjoyable, yet inexpensive, way to spend your time is to venture to the brand new Alga Norte park. Although one may think a park is an uninteresting or cliched place to spend your precious summer moments, do not discount this option until you have experienced it for yourself. With a state of the art pool facility, skate parks, baseball and soccer fields, grassy areas and even a dog park, the Alga Norte park exceeds expectations.

Carlsbad has so much to offer in terms of nature and exploring. A day hike through Calavera mountain or paddle board outing at the Carlsbad lagoon are just a few of the ways you can take advantage of everything this city has to offer. Kayaking, canoeing and stand-up paddle boarding are inexpensive yet exhilarating ways to spend an afternoon with friends.

It is a shame that the activities that once ruled the helm of summertime are now over priced and overrated. All is not lost however. All it takes is a little creativity and an open mind, and you can enjoy summer in all its glory, for little or no money.