Facing a summer of wine-country price tags on a starving student’s budget? Despair not! This list has your name all over it. Now that gas prices have made even a trip to the beach a topic of debate, have your own creative fun with these handy suggestions.

DIRT CHEAP – 3rd Street Cinema, $3 bucks all the time. Sure, the choices were all super hot two months ago but you still want to see them. Maybe.

FREE – In-store concerts at The Last Record Store. Head-banging at 4 in the afternoon – priceless.

DIRT CHEAP – Mani-pedi date with your best friend. Find a couch, get a bucket of warm water and treat each other right! Love that color!

CHEAP – Arlene Francis Center, DIY crafty arts scene and music venue. Listen to music and watch some tattooed burlesque goddess groom her dreads.

FREE – Sunday afternoon concerts at Julliard Park. Blanket, picnic, music and beautiful trees. Did we say free? Well, someone better supply the picnic.

FREE – Luther Burbank Garden – stop and smell the roses already.

FREE – Go gallery hopping on South A Street. Stop in at Jeremiah’s Photo Corner and pet Ophelia, the dog.

FREE – Volunteer for the Handcar Regatta and gain instant cred with all the cool people.

PRICE OF GAS TO GET THERE – Farm Trails – fruits, veggies, flowers, artisan cheese, fresh eggs, wine, goats, um, all things desirable.

INEXPENSIVE – Hiking or Camping – Willow Creek on the Russian River, Bodega Head, Salt Point Sonoma Coast, Goat Rock, Armstrong Woods – taste the s’mores.

PRICE OF GAS TO GET THERE – Hunt, angle or forage dinner with someone who’ll keep you from killing yourself.

PRICE OF WHATEVER YOU’RE NURSING – Live music at Aqus Café, A’Roma Roasters, Toad in the Hole, Coffee Catz, and Lagunitas.

FREE – Fix up your pad with tools borrowed from the Santa Rosa Tool Lending Library. You might want to hire someone for that smoldering electrical smell, though.

DIRT CHEAP – Squirm through some earnest beginning accordion playing and after you’ve paid your literal and figurative dues, hear some SUPERB squeezebox. Accordion Club of the Redwoods, Petaluma, 3rd Monday of most months, Hermann Sons Hall. $3 bucks.

FREE – Swap crap you’re sick of for your friends’ crap.

FREE – Go for a bike ride to Sebastopol on the Joe Rodota Trail. If you want to break your bum, stay on the trail to Forestville through Graton. Call your driver to get you home.

COST OF YOUR MEAL – Throw a “cook as you are party.” No shopping allowed. Well, maybe for some vodka.

CHEAP – Start a garden. Find a plot, beg some room from a friend with enough or find a spot in the local community garden. Requires true sincerity for purest results: a summer bounty. Start NOW.

FREE – Start a garden trading post on your block. Swap you 3 zucchini for some of your plums…