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SFCU Summer Savings Challenge Checklist

July 1, 2025

Enjoy your summer while growing your savings one fun activity at a time!

Get Outside and Explore

  • Robert V. Riddell State Park (Oneonta):  With wooded hiking trails, birdwatching spots, and Schenevus Creek fishing, this park offers a peaceful escape—entry is free

  • Labrador Hollow Unique Area (Tully/Fabius): Hike to Tinker Falls — a short, beautiful trail with a waterfall reward at the end!
  • Lime Hollow Nature Center (Cortland): Enjoy over 12 miles of free trails with wetlands, boardwalks, and nature exhibits.
  • Paddle & Picnic at Delaware Wild Forest (Delaware County):  No entry fee! Choose from easy hikes (like Mud Pond or Hog Hollow trails), primitive camping, and hand-launch paddling on Big Pond ﹘ all set within lush forests

  • Explore Historic Spots in Little Falls (Herkimer County):  Enjoy a self-guided stroll to the Salisbury Covered Bridge (built 1875) and nearby Italian Community Bake Oven. Both are free, unique, and make for an easy afternoon outing

  • Highland Forest (Fabius): Known as “The Adirondacks of Central NY.” A $3 parking fee gets you hours of fresh-air fun.

Frugal Fun at Home or in Town

  • Backyard Movie Night: Use a sheet and a borrowed projector — fun, cheap, and totally customizable.
  • Farmers Market Budget Challenge: Take $10 to your local Farmers Market and get creative with what you bring home.
  • No-Spend Saturday: Challenge yourself to enjoy a full day without spending a penny. It’s freeing — and eye-opening!
  • Picnic in the Park: Pack your favorite snacks and head to the lake or park for sunshine and savings.
  • DIY Game Night or Book Swap: Host a potluck-style game night or ask friends to trade books — free and social!

Boost Your Financial Fitness

  • Set a Credit Score Goal: Use our free credit score tool in online banking to track and improve your credit with confidence.
  • Create a Mini Summer Budget: Plan out your spending for summer weekends — it’ll help you enjoy more and stress less.
  • Watch a GreenPath Webinar: Explore financial topics like budgeting, debt, and saving — for free. Learn more ➜ sfcuonline.org/education
  • Pick a “No Spend” Week: Choose one week this summer where you only use what you have. Track how much you saved and celebrate the win!
  • Download Zogo & Start Learning: Earn rewards (pineapples!) while you build your financial knowledge. Free for SFCU members.

How many challenge items can you complete?

Share your frugal fun on Instagram and Facebook using #SFCUSummerSavings and tag @SFCUonline for a chance to be featured!