Thinking of this summer

**mmy2grls** · 04-20-2008, 05:42 PM

With gas prices going up I was thinking that it would cost me at least $100 to drive my kids to and from the lake 25 times. For $100 maybe cheaper I could buy a nice pool and save gas. Plus we can play in it whenever we want. Sprinklers just don't cut it anymore

My brother said he would give me some fencing to fence around a pool and the kids play area keeping kids and animals out for free.

I'm trying to think of things to make staying at home really fun for the kids. I was thinking of a grill to cook outside but unless I can get one really cheap I don't think it would be a good investment for me.

**MomK** · 04-20-2008, 05:46 PM

Might not be a bad idea!

Did you factor in the water and chemicals?

**mmy2grls** · 04-20-2008, 05:49 PM

I have a well so water won't be bad. I have no idea about chemicals.

I'm thinking it would be worth it because we love swimming and we wouldn't have to go anywhere.

**POOTERSMOMMY** · 04-20-2008, 06:11 PM

A friend of mine has done that very thing. She said no vacation this summer, so she bought an above ground pool. Her and her family and friends can enjoy all summer, and hopefully many more. Sure beats the price of driving somewhere on vacation.
I think your idea is a winner

**dianne9106** · 04-20-2008, 06:17 PM

Check on freecycle or cheapcycle for a grill; people are upgrading and they need to get rid of the old one. What size pool are you planning on getting? It sounds like fun though! But also keep in mind that you have to have a cover for it in the winter - this is what I have heard from other folks. Also check on freecycle for it as well.

**sixfreds** · 04-21-2008, 07:06 AM

we have a pool, and one of the best things we have done, in the summer time the kids use it every day and though I love going to the ocean (which we do a couple times over the summer) it is great to not have to pack up and go anywhere.

On cost of a pool depends on the size, we have an abouve ground 15' X 25' 4' deep cost $1500 to buy another $1500 to install (had it for 7 years now so worth the investment) and maybe $200. a year for chemicals.
They do make great blow-up pools, the kind you fill the top ring with air and just fill with water which are a lot cheaper to buy but you have to put up and take down each year but if you have a flat yard it is easy enough to do.

We love having a pool!! And really my kids use it every day in the summer!!
Eileen

**joyofsix** · 04-21-2008, 07:20 AM

While I love our pool, (one of the blue vinyl ones)I'm not sure it's that frugal. Chemicals and filters do cost an amazing amount. While not as exciting, a cheap kiddie pool is probably cheaper. Some inexpensive stuff my kids like: squirt guns, bubbles, chalk, picnic at park (I try to scope out local different parks so it seems new, kwim), 'camping' in the yard (roast hot dogs, sleep in tent-4yo just pretends to sleep on a sleeping bag for awhile and then camps out on the living room floor, lightning bugs, free tickets to baseball game from reading program at school, library summer reading program freebies, bike rides , walking to the river and throwing rocks.

**momishem** · 04-21-2008, 07:27 AM

We used to have an above ground pool. We found it to be sometimes trouble due to the upkeep. Chemicals, extra homeowner's insurance, water & sewage bills, it just wasn't worth it for us. At the time I ran a home daycare and it scared me to death that one of the kids would get in and get hurt or worse! So, we sold it. Then about 4 years ago, we joined a private pool near our neighborhood. It costs us about $300 per year to join from Memorial Day thru Labor Day and we go almost every day. The peace of mind knowing there are always 4 lifeguards on duty, it's always clean and I don't have to do the cleaning. Plus, we have lots of friends there. It works for us.

**ConnieD** · 04-21-2008, 07:42 AM

We have a pool as well and use it every day once it's open......LOVE IT!

Although it does cost money to run, but I guess you have to weigh out the pros and cons and decide for your own family if it's best for you.

Ours is a fairly large inground ........ 24' x 36'

Our chemicals run about $500/year (we open it the 2nd weekend in May and close it mid Sept). You also have to consider an increase in your electric bill for running the pump. Also, since ours is inground we also pay extra in gas for the heater. It doesn't get full sun, so without the heater it'd be too cold, for me anyway, to swim. The heater is in a thermostat and we keep the solar blanket on when not swimming.

With an above ground pool placed in the sun it will warm up well.
Just consider all the extra expenses (ie. insurance, fencing, etc...) .............. but if you feel they're worth it, you'll love having a pool!!

**favesis37** · 04-21-2008, 08:26 AM

we used a old horse tank, we put a hole in it with a plug to drain. and the kids love it, now if we could have kept the dogs and ducks out of it. lol

**lwlynch** · 04-21-2008, 08:55 AM

we love ours.. it is the 16' metal frame pool . i think we just payed 250 for it. it was really easy to put up... really need a level place. hooking up was easy too. the first one we had lasted 5 years. you get two filters for 10 and they last about a month. cause I occassionally take them out and rinse them clean. (at the end of season sometimes you can find them maked down.)Chemicals , I buy two floating cholorines and some algascide.. and i run the filter usually from 12-8. It isnt sooo bad.. we love ours..

**WV_mom_of2** · 04-21-2008, 09:13 AM

Our kids are on spring break this week and we had planned to take a trip for a day or two, but cancelled due to the high gas prices. It just didn't seem worth it to spend 100.00 in gas to visit a zoo.

We have had one of the vinyl pools before and they are really nice. Our cat kept getting up on it and punching a hole in it so we gave up on it though LOL. I work in a state park all summer so my family gets to camp and swim in the pool for free so that will be our fun and vacation this year. The kids go to work with me alot of the summer and they fish and swim while I'm working so it works out well.

Your idea of a pool sounds nice. I don't know how old your kids are but mine always loved sidewalk chalk, bubbles (and you can use so many different things to blow them), you could make paper mache objects, art projects, etc.

**YankeeMom** · 04-21-2008, 09:14 AM

You may want to look into your Homeowner's insurance too. Make sure having it won't raise your rates.

**Darlene** · 04-21-2008, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by YankeeMom

You may want to look into your Homeowner's insurance too. Make sure having it won't raise your rates.

And check with your local ordinances, they will prob have their hand out & rules to follow. Wishing you all a happy summer!

**DAAC3DEC** · 04-21-2008, 10:18 AM

Hubbie and I had this talk last night, we are going to be sticking close to home this summer, and wanted things to be fun. We have previously had the blue 3-4 feet pools you can buy everywhere now, but think that since it was used so much that we would take the plunge this year and go to above ground...I am not happy about the cost of upkeep and extra insurance, but on paper it is way cheaper than a vacation or our weekly trips to the beach...