Free Fun and Remembrance This Memorial Day

Memorial Day: The official kickoff of summer. Although the picnic lunch my wife and I will be packing to enjoy after watching the local parade is definitely going to have a St. Patrick's Day flavor to it.

Do you remember those great St. Patrick's Day grocery deals I told you to stock up on back in March? Yep, that's right, we're going to be dining on the last of them this Memorial Day. I'll thaw the final corned beef brisket we have in the freezer, bake it, and slice it super thin for sandwiches. The freezer coleslaw I made out of the four heads of cabbage I bought is ready, waiting, and still delicious. And even the last of the 20 pounds of potatoes from St. Patrick's Day are looking good -- despite a few sprouts -- and ready to be transformed into my tasty potato salad.

Of course there are plenty of good grocery deals to be had leading up to Memorial Day as well. Many grocers will be offering special sales on popular summertime items. Hot dogs, hamburgers and buns, ketchup and other condiments, and paper plates and picnic supplies are often priced at cost (or even less) just to get you in the store.

There are plenty of  special deals to keep your eyes open for throughout the summer. That said, don't fall into the trap of impulse buying. It is possible to find that sweet spot between "on sale" and smart frugality.

Memorial Day weekend is a great time to enjoy  free family activities and - most importantly - remember those who died in their service to America. See this nationwide listing of Memorial Day parades and other events honoring these heroes. The holiday is also known for air shows (many of which are free). Don't forget, too, that the organizers of the National Moment of Remembrance are asking all Americans to pause for a moment of silence at 3 p.m. local time on Monday, May 28, to honor those servicemen and women who have fallen in the line of duty.

Enjoy the holiday and remember what it's all about.

Photo by Dawn Paperin via Flickr Creative Commons.