5 Ways to Beat the Heat: Frugal Family

Check Out Your Local Libraries

, , and  libraries have summer reading programs, special events, and special prizes for keeping cool and reading books! 

Children's Museum

Are your kids dying to run around, but it's just too hot? Why not take them to the Chicago Children's Museum? Target sponsors free days, every first Sunday of the month, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for children 15 and under. And if you're a teacher, your admission is also free at many Chicago museums, including the Children's Museum. There are programs for children, teens and adults.

Cheap Movies

Do your kids want to go to the movies, but it gets a little expensive? No problem at all—head to the Marcus Theater in Chicago Heights  at 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from June 21st to August 11th and select movies are just $2!

Too Hot to Turn on the Oven?

Did you know you can get up to three Burger King whoppers just by watching TV? If you have DirecTV  check out channel 111. For each 5 minutes you watch it, you can get a free whopper sandwich! But don't leave the room, they will test to make sure you are there watching. If your satellite box is not hooked up to a phone line to allow you to print, then your coupons will arrive in the mail, according to DirecTV.

Move Movies

Are your kids bored with the same old movies that they've watched over and over? Head over to  for their great selection of kid's movies, which are all free to rent. You can't beat that!

It doesn't take a lot of money to have a cool time during the Southland summer!