Up to this point, my immediate family has not been negatively affected by the recession. I’m grateful for that and know that circumstances could change any day. As such, we are still trying to be careful with our finances. I know that I personally tend to spend a lot more money during the summer as I’m out and about with the kids, so I have to be aware of my purchases. (Besides, we have just spent thousands of dollars on our current move!)

That’s why I was happy to receive the following eight tips to make the best of your family’s “recessionary” summer. The information is from Marilyn Kagan, LCSW and Neil Einbund, Ph.D, marriage counselors and authors of Defenders of the Heart: Managing the Habits and Attitudes That Block You from a Richer, More Satisfying Life. They are based on their own family activities and conversations with parents in their Los Angeles private practice where parents have expressed concern about their kids this summer because the recession has taken away the opportunity for summer camp and/or family vacations. The instructions are aimed at instilling hope, creativity and family – making this the best summer yet!

1. Date night swap. Maybe you have enough funds for your weekly date night, but the babysitting fee is really breaking your budget. Don’t give up date night – your marriage needs it. Instead, arrange with your neighbors or other family friends to take turns watching each other’s children.

2. Skip the gym membership and get fit together. Set aside time during the week to hit the local park to play a sport together like softball or kickball. Gather the family and go for brisk walks after dinner. Wake up early on the weekend to cycle or hike on trails in your town.

3. Plant a garden. It teaches children about healthy eating and about positively contributing to Mother Earth. It also gives children something to care for each day.

4. Mentally prepare kids for the fall. In August, start to get your child’s mental power back on target by initiating one hour quiet time each day to fulfill back to school reading lists. Consider hiring a local high school or college student as a tutor to help your child get ahead in his or her weak subjects. Student tutors are usually more affordable and the work could benefit them too in their future career pursuits.

5. Flip your house. No DIY projects here. Instead, trade houses with a friend in another state that’s within driving distance. New places always lead to new, possibly great memories. It gives you and your family a chance to explore a new part of the country even if it’s only a few hours away.

6. Stay on top of local news. Whether it’s your weekly town paper, the city daily or a regional parenting publication, these media outlets will highlight a host of free and affordable activities during the week. If you’ve canceled all of your subscriptions to save a buck, then hit the internet and explore these publications online. You can also visit Craig’s List, Eventful, Zvents and CityGuide online for other nearby events and activities.

7. Join a cause together. Doing something good for others is one of the best feelings you can ever have. Families can contribute to the greater good by raising funds or providing time. Decide together those causes that are important to you, and how much you are willing to contribute.

8. Unplug. For one evening during the week, turn off the computers and television sets and host a night of good old time fun. Whether you take out the Monopoly board, spend hours on arts & crafts, or catch fireflies in the evening, teach your children the fun and inspiration in unplugged activities.

Psychotherapists Marilyn Kagan, LCSW, and Neil Einbund, Ph.D. are authors of Defenders of the Heart: Managing the Habits and Attitudes That Block You from a Richer, More Satisfying Life.

They gave me the following five tips for starting some new activities that can improve the well-being of our families:

1. Give back; teach altruism. Are your kids not only growing out of their clothes but also their toys and books? How about taking three Saturdays and spending a half hour each time with your kids pulling out clothes, toys and books that are no longer used. Donate clothes, books and toys to a homeless shelter. Make sure you explain why people become homeless and how it’s important to show compassion towards others who have less.

2. Stop the procrastination; take action for improvements. Have you and other parents at your child’s school expressed negativity about the shape of the school? Are you wishing the colors were brighter? The grounds greener? How about setting up one day a month for a “working” lunch? Each family brings food to share and also a rake, a paintbrush, some flowers to plant, some rags and buckets for cleaning. Whatever the joint activity, you are all doing something as a team. Instead of just talking about something in the future, collectively you are stopping the procrastination cycle of “we’ll get around to it tomorrow” or “someone should do something about this.”

3. Stop rationalizing; resolutions often occur when kids are heard and valued. Are your kids going at each others throats? Treating each other disrespectfully? Are you so discouraged about the disconnection between all of you that you’ve started to rationalize to yourself “kids will be kids,” or “all families must be like this.” One solution is setting up an ongoing weekly family meeting for the same time, same day of the week and same place with everyone expected to be there (no excuses accepted). Each person gets the floor for two to four minutes without being interrupted, or judged. Don’t lecture the kids — just listen and learn. Set ten minutes to seek solutions without any complaints.

4. Build memories; make fun time a weekly regular. Staying physically fit together is a time for family bonding. Make a list of sports, games or anything that gets you moving. Let one family member choose the activity weekly. Initially, there might be resistance and impatience (especially from the older kids). But every family member makes a commitment to be there, participate and do their personal best.

5. Involve them and they will realize that broccoli isn’t so bad. Choose healthier eating for yourself and your kids. Know that it can’t be a 360 degree change. Start small by setting up two delicious and healthy meals per week. If cooking healthy isn’t your strength, go with your kids to the library to check out some simple healthy cookbooks, or search online for recipes. Have your kids help in ways they can, such as: washing, dicing, cutting, mixing, and preparing the ingredients. Give your kids tasks that they developmentally can handle will set the family up for success. And then have fun cooking and eating together.

Do you have any tips to add?