Summer days are long and wonderful (hopefully), but also pose the challenge of heat. Standing in front of your freezer all day probably isn't the best option because it costs way too much and, oh yeah, you can't move away. Though we won't be installing AC for you, we do have some good tips for staying safe out there.

Turns out that the Malibu sun is pretty strong in the middle of a summer day. Who knew? Oh wait. Almost everyone. Most people know that the sun can cause nasty burns and unsightly wrinkles (later though, much later). Even with this knowledge, tanning beds and natural sunshine abound. Metal reflectors may not get busted out by the pool, but over-exposure is rampant. Cheap tips to save a lot later? We got 'em.

Nothing says 4th of July like barbecues, parades, and, of course, fireworks! LA has a plethora of options and so many are free! Consider this your cheat sheet on where to celebrate your love for the red, white, and blue.

[Note: This is the 2010 list. See the list of cheap and free fireworks shows for 2011 here.]

A bit blustery at times, LA is gearing up for another beautiful spring and summer. Gyms can be useful to shed that winter weight (especially if you're visiting for free), but it's much better—and cheaper—to get outside and enjoy the magic of outdoor fun. Since the weather's so awesome, you might as well take advantage of it and exercise in the sunshine. When you've acquired a great tan by the end of April, despite copious use of sunscreen of course, make sure to send inspirational photos of your toned, golden self to a friend still trapped in the cold.

Though LA hasn't had to cope with the brutal winter storms that slammed most of the Eastern Seaboard, Angelenos are starting to sniff spring in the air. And nothing says Spring like vegetables and flowers poking through the ground, especially following the research of Pollan and Kingsolver. You might live in an apartment and winter might be ideal planting time, but the magic of LA is that you can still manage to grow your own mini-crops. It's not the victory garden of the '50s or the back-to-the-land of the '70s, this is the broke-as-a-joke, fresh-food-loving, earth-friendly garden of today.

In SoCal we can go swimming most of the year, but even our sun-jaded minds link summer with swimming pools and drinks with little umbrellas. Now ideally there's a pool in your apartment complex or at your friend's megamansion, but chances are you're sitting high and dry and wondering where to take a dip. Lucky for you, LA has a bunch of pretty refreshing options.