Over the weekend I saw an article (that I can no longer find – otherwise I’d link it!) about how the new tariffs will be impacting everything from back-to-school shopping to holiday gift buying. It mentioned that many major retailers had initially boosted their orders while tariffs were being discussed – even before the election. But now that they’ve gone into effect, there’s been a noticeable slowdown. In fact, within 6-7 weeks, we might start seeing some empty shelves.
Cue the toilet paper flashbacks of 2020.
Maybe I fell into the trap a bit – but I did some preemptive purchasing of my own. Nothing I wouldn’t have bought anyway, just a little earlier than usual: school supplies!
Even though my kids won’t need them until August, I visited their school’s website and downloaded the supply list for 8th grade (their upcoming year). I went ahead and bought everything on the list. Based on my budget from last year, I probably spent a little more than usual – likely because I typically benefit from back-to-school sales – but it wasn’t unreasonable either. And frankly, I’m willing to pay a little bit of a premium just to ensure we have what we need. If shelves really are bare by late summer, I’ll be glad I got ahead of it. And if not? No harm done. We’ve got a box of supplies stored away, ready to go.
Aside from school supplies, I’m not rushing to purchase much else. Some news sources are suggesting there could be shortages on tech-products, toys, and clothes/shoes. If things haven’t resolved in time for stores to stock up for holiday purchasing, then choices might be slim pickings. But I figure we’ll just wait it out and see how things unfold.
Ultimately, we are very fortunate to already have everything we need. The girls are still growing, but not at the same rate as when they were super young. We no longer need an entirely new wardrobe every year to fit their growing bodies. If it gets tough to find shoes or other essentials, we’ll manage. It’s not like anyone’s going barefoot.
Honestly, I’ve been leaning more into anti-consumerism lately. Maybe it’s due to the spring cleaning I’ve been doing around the house, or maybe it’s just a shift in mindset. It just feels like we have so much stuff. When my husband’s grandpa passed away, we were offered many of his kitchen gadgets – several things that were name brand (like Pampered Chef) and still new in the boxes! We kindly declined. Do we really need a dedicated tomato slicer or sandwich cutter? No. They’d just add to the clutter. Instead, we chose a handmade ceramic chip-and-dip set. It felt more meaningful – and we didn’t already have one – so it was the perfect blend of sentimental and practical.
How are you all handling the tariff news? Are you giving into panic buying? Or stocking up on things before prices spike? Or are you a “wait and see” type and hoping the whole thing will come to a resolution and prices will stabilize soon? Let me know!
There’s nothing quite like having all my kids under one roof again…especially when it’s to celebrate something as special as Princess’s college graduation! With the mid-week graduation ceremony now behind us, our extended family and friends have returned to their regularly scheduled lives. But now that the big celebration is over, History Buff, Gymnast and I will be crashing at Princess’s apartment in a super walkable area of downtown Atlanta. (Sea Cadet has to leave to return to his schooling and work after graduation tomorrow. And Beauty and her fiancé will to their own home about two hours from Atlanta. We will see them again this weekend.)
One thing about my crew: we love cooking. We’ve decided to make it our plan for the rest of the week — taking turns planning meals, grocery shopping, and cooking together. Honestly, it will probably one of the highlights of this trip. Add in the beautiful (if a little hot) spring weather, and we are soaking up every chance we get to be outside – walking through the city, finding patios to sit on, and laughing way too much.
Since we’re living our best budget-conscious lives, I thought I’d share some of the fun, low-cost and free things we’ve found to do around Atlanta as a family. Princess, Beauty, and I have been texting back and forth for weeks trying to come up with fun things to do that won’t break the bank. That is where this list comes from.
Whether you’re here for a big celebration or just a casual visit, there’s no shortage of ways to make amazing memories without spending a ton.
5 Free Things to Do in Atlanta
Piedmont Park — You can’t beat a stroll through Piedmont Park. Gorgeous green spaces, skyline views, and plenty of spots for a spontaneous frisbee game or picnic.
Atlanta BeltLine — Perfect for walking, biking, people-watching, and marveling at the murals and street art. It’s a whole vibe.
Centennial Olympic Park — Splash around the Fountain of Rings, wander the grounds, and soak up the history from the 1996 Olympics. We’ve been here multiple times. It’s home not only to a great green space, but also the World of Coke and Georgia Aquarium. (We decided to pass on both of these since we’ve been several times over the last 10ish years.)
Ponce City Market — Sure, you could spend a lot here, but just browsing the shops and people-watching is a blast on its own. This is one of my kids favorite places to go. I’m not sure any of them have ever bought anything, but it’s a really cool backdrop for picture taking. In fact, it’s where Gymnast chose to go for his 18th birthday a couple of years ago, just to take pictures. And they have a phenomenal ramen restaurant that everyone loves. Highly recommend. We went here while the extended family was in town this week.
The Carter Center Gardens — Beautiful, peaceful, and free to walk through — a lovely hidden gem. Those that have been reading me here for a while will remember that History Buff loves all things history (yes, explains his name.) So combining that with being outside. Yes, this is a definite plan for this week.
5 Low-Cost Things to Do in Atlanta
SkyView Atlanta — Ride the giant Ferris wheel downtown in Centennial Park! Tickets are under $20 and the views are worth it. We’ve done this at Navy Pier in Chicago before and it was really fun. It’s under consideration for the week.
Atlanta Botanical Garden — Not dirt-cheap, but if you time it right (check for discounts), it’s an absolutely gorgeous day out among the blooms. This is another family favorite. We’ve been multiple times. Princess and her friends have gone at least yearly. I made the mistake my first time going when nothing was blooming. And it’s pricey, at least to me. We are skipping this one this visit. But it is a beautiful place.
Krog Street Market — Grab an affordable bite to eat and wander the funky stalls. I’ve been here once, not actually to the market, but to visit a Texas favorite with Princess – Torchy’s Tacos. I’m hoping we can add this to our itinerary this week. I really enjoy the vibe when we went to eat and would love to explore further.
Fernbank Museum of Natural History — Offers discounted tickets on certain days and is an amazing way to spend an afternoon. If we have weather challenges, we might add this to our list. But since I used to work at the Field Museum in Chicago, well, not super excited about it. But it’s an option. Have you been? Recommend?
Atlanta Streetcar — It’s just a few bucks for a ticket, and you can hop on and off while exploring downtown. It’s not like a San Francisco Streetcar experience, but when it’s hot and you want to get out and visit lots of places without battling traffic and having to find parking, it’s a definite Yes! It’s on our list.
3 Unique Experiences in Atlanta
Tiny Doors ATL — Hunt for the whimsical tiny doors scattered all over the city. It’s a quirky scavenger hunt that’s perfect for all ages.
Trap Music Museum — A bold, cultural celebration of Atlanta’s music scene – Hip Hop Music museum! (It’s definitely more for older teens and adults.) This is 100% on our list. Plus, the escape room. I had hoped to do it with our larger group, but time just didn’t allow for it.
Jackson Street Bridge — Famous for its view of the Atlanta skyline (especially at sunset) and a great spot for iconic family selfies.
A day trip and family dinner planned
We’re also planning a quick day trip back to our tiny town to wrap up a few final things before I officially leave the state — a bittersweet, full-circle moment. Best of all, we’ll get to have a family dinner at Beauty and her fiancé’s house, a perfect way to close out this whirlwind chapter together.
There’s something extra sweet about finding simple ways to celebrate a huge milestone…cooking together, exploring the city, laughing through the heat, and soaking in the joy of being together. Atlanta has given us the perfect backdrop for it all.
If you’re visiting with your family on a budget, take it from me: the memories you make together are worth more than anything you could ever swipe a credit card for. And yes, I know that’s rich coming from me, but I’m telling you, this is a new chapter! A new me! Fresh start and new perspective!
