Last weekend, I took the kids to a nearby farm's pumpkin patch and paused briefly at the checkout. After paying the entrance fee, riding the hayride, picking two pumpkins, and grabbing a hot dog, the receipt was longer than I expected.

Fall outings don't usually involve a large upfront cost, but rather small expenses that add up over time. So today, I want to share some methods I've calculated myself.

This week's biggest event is undoubtedly the Georgia National Fair in Perry. This year, it runs from October 8 to 18, and the fair is open daily from 10 AM to 9 PM.

However, I was a bit surprised when I saw this year's prices. The adult admission fee is $15 if paid by card, but $20 if paid in cash at the gate.

Typically, cash is cheaper or the same, but here it's the opposite. If you're used to bringing cash, make sure to pay by card this time.

The children's rates have also changed. Starting this year, kids aged 3 to 10 will be charged $5 daily, excluding discount days, and only children under 2 are free.

Seniors aged 60 and over pay $10 regardless of the date. For families bringing their parents, this part is less of a burden.

The real key is the discount days. On Tuesday, October 13, and Wednesday, October 14, admission for those 11 and older is $10 at the gate, while children under 10 are free.

Let's calculate for a family of four with two adults and kids aged 5 and 8. On a non-discount day, the admission fee would be $40, but if we go on the 14th, it drops to $20, exactly half.

If we had paid in cash, it would have been $50, making the difference even larger. Just changing the date makes this a no-brainer.

If you're a military family, remember Monday the 12th. Active duty, reserve, retired military, and veterans can enter for free with ID, including immediate family.

On the 13th, firefighters, police officers, EMTs, and dispatchers can show their agency ID for free admission for their families. These benefits are only taken advantage of by those who know about them.

Discount admissions are only available at the gate. Online pre-purchase ended on October 7, so buying at the venue is the way to go now.

Even scarier than the admission fee are the ride costs. The unlimited ride wristband is $30 on the 13th and 14th, but cash incurs a $2 fee, and card payments add a 3.99% fee.

On Saturdays and the first Sunday, wristbands are not sold at all. If your child rides a lot, weekday discount days are much more advantageous.

Conversely, if your child will only ride a few rides, individual tickets might be better. Two tickets cost $3, but a bundle of 65 tickets is $60, making the per-ticket price significantly lower with bundles.

Last year, my family bought a wristband for my older child, while my timid younger child used a ticket bundle. Siblings don't need to ride the same things.

If you plan to go twice, consider the two-day adult pass. At $25, it's cheaper than paying $15 each day with a card.

However, if you can go on discount days both times, just paying $10 each is more beneficial. Planning the dates and choosing tickets in the right order is crucial.

Food costs can also add up. I decided to leave water bottles and simple snacks in the car and have the family choose one fair food item to share.

Now, let's move on to the pumpkin patch. Even near Macon, there are quite a few options like Skipper Family Farms, Lane Southern Orchards, and Dickey Farms.

The issue is that each farm has a different pricing structure. Some include activities in the admission fee, while others are cheaper to enter but charge separately for the corn maze or hayride.

So, check the website for included items before you head out. It's also common for weekday and weekend rates to differ, so be sure to check that too.

If you just want to take pictures, local church pumpkin patches are great. Many charge only for the pumpkins, with proceeds going to church service activities.

It's best to buy pumpkins at the end. Carrying them around from the start can be heavy, and kids tend to want to pick more things.

Also, don't cram the fair and pumpkin patch into the same week. If you split one outing on a discount day this week and the other on a weekday before Halloween, your wallet will hurt less.

I believe half of the cost of fall outings comes from differences in information. Even with the same fair and rides, just changing the date and payment method can lead to such differences.

If it were me, I would go this Wednesday the 14th in the afternoon with my card. Even if I leave right after work, the fair is open until 9 PM, and the rides area is open until 11 PM on weekday nights.

Prices can change, so make sure to check the official website one more time before you go. If you save some money, you can treat the kids to ice cream on the way home, making the outing a success.