St. Louis Fed Shares Tips for a Budget‑Friendly St. Louis Edu-staycation
St. Louis consistently ranks as a bargain among U.S. metros. The region has a price parity of about 95, meaning its overall price level is about 5% below the national average, according to FRED data. That means families can keep cost levels low and fun levels high right here in St. Louis, said Liz Senzee, St. Louis Fed Economy Museum specialist.
“Staying local is an attractive option to enjoy summer while keeping costs under control. Even better is trying out an ‘edu-staycation’ by taking your kids to free sites and activities, such as the Economy Museum, that make learning fun,” Senzee said.
Here are her tips to create a St. Louis edu-staycation.
- Set a “travel” budget and stick to it. Learn the basics of creating a strong budget with this course on Budgeting 101, a free resource from Federal Reserve Education.
- Pack your own picnic or snacks for outings or look for restaurants offering “kids eat free” promotions.
- Look for “resident discount” days at local attractions. Many offer reduced admission for people who live in the metro area.
- Check local event calendars for unique experiences and pop-up events, such as ones at the Missouri Historical Society.
- Turn your St. Louis Public Library or St. Louis County Library card into an edu-staycation toolkit: access free media, events, programs, tech, and borrowables like a pickleball kit or binoculars for birdwatching.
- Explore free parks and museums, including the Economy Museum at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
The Economy Museum features more than 100 interactive games, exhibits, currency displays, and videos. Visitors of all ages can learn about the economy and personal finance in an engaging, hands‑on environment.
The Economy Museum is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. minus bank holidays at One Federal Reserve Plaza.
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