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Who is ready for some warm weather? Yay, summer is fast approaching. We sure can’t wait for outdoor activities and beach picnics. While this is the time for summer vacations and long road trips, it’s not always the most affordable many.
Did you know that approximately 74% of people in the US have said that they’ve gone into debt to pay for a vacation? Everyone wants to have a good time but it comes with a hefty price tag. I’m not here to say that you shouldn’t go on a vacation or splurge a little, I’m just here to offer some super easy tips that can help you achieve those goals.
Remember saving money isn’t just a summer thing, it should be a year round goal and there is no better time like NOW to get started if you haven’t.
Don’t worry, it’s not so bad to get in the habit of saving. You have to be disciplined. Fear not, I’ve got some really simple tips that you can do to kick those summer savings into gear. Let’s get it.
HERE ARE 10 TIPS TO KEEP YOUR BUDGET FROM BURNING UP THIS SUMMER.
EASY SUMMER MEALS ON THE GRILL – There are so many benefits to cooking outside when the weather is warm. My favorite is that the meals are very simple and it’s food that your family will enjoy. Whether you’re using gas or charcoal, rely on grilling as a fun, social, and energy efficient way to cook in the summer. One of our favorites are burgers and hotdogs and our kids prefer that any day over any fancy meals.
UTILITY BILLS – This one ties in beautifully to what I stated above. By cooking outside, you avoid heating your kitchen during the summer and making the air conditioner run more than necessary. Also, I don’t know about you but I turn the light switch on every single time I enter the kitchen. I don’t know why but it’s just one of those nagging habits. By using the natural sunlight, it lowers light bulb usage in your kitchen and that means lower electricity bills every month.
CABLE – This should be a no brainer for anyone trying to lower their expenses. We pay about $180 for our cable/internet each month. If you ditch the cable, you can put that $50-$80 straight into a savings. That is up to $320 that you can save for four months while the weather is warm. By not having the urge to sit and watch TV all day, you will get into a routine of being outdoor more and will in turn feel so much better and save some extra cash. You can always rejoin in the winter when we all tend to hibernate.
SELL UNUSED ITEMS – Who doesn’t love a good garage sale. I know I do but unfortunately for me there isn’t much going on in my area. Find the things in your home that you no longer need and arrange for a garage sale or even list them on your local facebook marketplace or craigslist. Most likely, you will get them sold online but I personally love a good old fashion garage sale. If you get along with your neighbours, collaborate with them and do a neighbourhood sale. It will be fun and exciting not to mention a good time for each other to catch up and make some cash.
HOME WORKOUT – I’m going to say this one out loud. You do not need a gym membership in the summer. There is so much to do that you can keep active with. Ugh just the thought about being in a smelly gym full of sweaty people. In the winter, a gym membership is a great way to work out when you can’t go for a walk or run outdoors. One problem we all have is that we don’t use it nearly as often in the summer. Cancel your membership and take advantage of the warm, beautiful weather. Recreation centres usually have free swim hours. Take long walks, go for hikes or just go for a long bike ride. Think of alternative ways to get your move on. This is where you can say that whatever activity you are doing outdoor, it will be fun and free.
GROUPON DEALS – Have you ever heard of Groupon? I remember when I first checked them out. I purchased so many things like laser hair removal deals and even booked hotel stays for the family.I’ve never had a bad experience and to this day I would still get the emails and I would always take a look to see if anything interests me. They offer a wide variety of deals whether you are looking for home decor, spa services and even travel. There are so many local deals that you can find that will help.This is a great way to not have to spend money on full priced things.
STAYCATION – There is nothing more exciting than planning a vacation. Trust me, I love the entire planning process.One thing you have to be honest about is whether a vacation is in your current budget. Remember you do not want to put yourself in more debt and have everything spinning out of control. Having a good time doesn’t necessarily means you need to be in a different country. Explore your city like a tourist. Find a spa nearby that adds to your vacay mood and plan a few things that you can do locally. Trust me, you will feel so much better knowing that you didn’t spend what you didn’t have. Think smart.
REPURPOSED USED FURNITURE – Don’t rush to retire your old furniture just yet. Sometimes we buy things just because we like the idea of having something new in our homes.Some things just need a little sprucing up. In the summer time, people are always putting furniture out, if you happen to see something that interest you, grab it. The best part is that you can just refinish this piece outside in your garage or heck in your backyard. Use your imagination and get creative. .
FEED THE LAWN YOURSELF– Ask yourself, what is it that the professionals do that makes our lawn so nice in the summer? Well they use high quality products for one and they follow a structured plan for the up keeping. Instead of paying a hefty price for someone to come by and take care of your lawn, head on over to Lowes or Home Depot and get yourself what you need. There is no reason you can’t do the same job without paying for it. It isn’t an everyday thing where you might not have the time. Do your research and feed your lawn yourself.
PLANT A GARDEN– Skip the part where you go and spend a lot of money at the grocery store to buy your fresh herbs and vegetables. Instead, opt for planting and growing your own. We freeze our excess herbs that you can use at a later time.
I hope these money saving tips have helped you to save some money with little to no effort on your part.