Fun for Cheap (or Almost)
By Prin Dumas

Teenagers are not limited to malls, pool, mini-golf, and friends' houses.  Believe it or not, there are several things you can do on a budget to change things up with your friends.

*Plan a trip to eat at "the diner" that is located in the middle of the closest city to you.  For example, in New York City, you have Ellen's Stardust diner, which has singing waitresses.  Your meal can be cheap, because you can order fries and a milkshake, and aside from the cost of transportation, you can do plenty more walking and "people-watching" in a busy city than you can at the local diner parking lot.

*Go hiking.  When the weather is right, and even when it's not, dress warmly, pack some waters, and have a parent drive a group of your friends to the nearest mountain or national park.  You can pack some chips and bring a portable radio to sit on a large boulder and watch the clouds, freak out over the nature sounds, and laugh at one another's physical skills.

*Clean your room.  Sometimes friends just want to hang out, but what ends up happening is you have no time to run errands.  Ask your friends for help.  Treat them to pizza and ice cream at your house, as long as they help you get rid of clutter and clean your room.  Pick close friends, since you don't want new friends going through your personal things.

*Cook dinner together.  If everyone chipped in $5 for actual ingredients, not take-out, you could buy pasta, sauce, cheeses, chicken (or veggies), and yummy bread to have everyone help out in making a dinner to share.  It's a great bonding experience.  Add a movie rental and you have a great picture-perfect evening!

Remember, the memories you make with friends are best when they're less elaborate and ordinary.  You can go to the mall every week, if you like, but always make an effort to pick one day of the month when you can all enjoy a change of pace.