It’s hard to focus on summer savings when you’re looking for entertainment and adventure. On a hot day, you’d probably rather get a quick meal at a restaurant than spend time in the kitchen. And how can you say no to a trip to the movie theater on a carefree summer night?
With a little discipline and planning, you’ll be able to avoid blowing your summer budget and make summer savings time rather than spending time. You’ll be glad to have the cash when you finally reach your financial goals or are able to afford the dream house you’ve been saving for.
Read on for some tips on summer savings, including how to reduce water usage, energy bills, and more.
1. Seek Out Free Entertainment
Summer is the perfect time to be outside and find free entertainment. Most communities offer a host of free events, like outdoor movies, summer concert series, and activities at the local library. Check out your city events page and add free activities to your calendar. You’ll be less tempted to spend money when you know you can stay entertained without dropping a dime.
2. Skip the Theme Parks
Theme parks are a popular summer destination, but these are the months when the crowds, temperatures, and prices are highest. The cost of the ticket is only the beginning of the spending: once you’re in the theme park, you’ll be blowing more money on food and souvenirs. Instead, save the cash and head to a state park or national park. You’ll get similar thrills for a fraction of the cost.
3. Seal Your Doors and Windows
Energy bills weigh heavy on the wallet in the summer months. One of the best energy saving tips for summer is to seal doors and windows with caulking. This could drastically reduce your energy bills without making you sacrifice the comfort of a cool home.
4. Host a Swap
When a new season comes, it’s fun to have new clothes, decor, and entertainment. And if you’re a parent, you know how nice it is to have new toys to keep kids happy in the summer months. But all the new stuff can be costly, so reduce your spending by hosting a swap instead. Bring friends together to trade clothes, toys, books, and decor. You’ll love having new-to-you items without spending a penny!
5. Pack a Lunch
With all the free time and extra hours of daylight, you’re likely to be on the go all summer long. The action-packed schedule can make it hard to find time to eat meals at home, but you’ll rack up a hefty bill if you start eating out for all of your meals. Save money by packing lunches for all your summer adventures. Prepare meals in advance and have pre-packaged snacks ready to grab and go in the morning. You’ll love having an easy way to save big—and homemade lunches are healthier, anyway.
6. Pause Your Gym Membership
Sure, you want to look good in a bathing suit this summer. But gym memberships are expensive, and if you need gym childcare while the kids are out of school, you’ll end up spending even more money. Instead, take advantage of the warm weather and get active outdoors. You can also arrange to meet a friend for a run or walk every morning before the temperatures rise too high.
7. Close Curtains and Doors
Another great energy saving tip for summer is to make sure curtains and doors are closed during the day. Invest in thicker, light-blocking curtains to keep the room cooler, so your air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard to keep you comfortable. Talk to your kids about the importance of closing the door every time they go in and out of the house. When the whole family is on board, it’s much easier to stick to your goals.
8. Cut Back Your Sprinkler Schedule
One of the best money and water saving tips for summer is to cut back on your sprinkler schedule. Most lawns can still thrive by watering just two or three days a week. And if you live in an area that gets a lot of summer rain, you may not even need to water the lawn at all.
Check Out Lift Credit Loans
If you’re looking for more ways to save this summer, check out Lift Credit’s personal loans. We have an array of options to meet your needs. You’ll love our affordable payment plans and convenient features like same-day approval. Learn more today.
