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Reasons Summer is Great for Your Budget
We’re all much easier to satisfy during the summer months. School is out. Schedules and attitudes are more laid back. An evening of entertainment may simply need a few lawn chairs for the adults and a sprinkler for the kids to jump through. Take advantage of that easygoing atmosphere and your budget will thank you!
Cook Up Savings on the BBQ
For most of us, summer means fewer scheduled evening activities, so it’s the perfect time to cook more meals at home. It is also BBQ season! Even if you find yourself on the run, grilling is a fast and tasty way to get dinner on the table.
Consider planting your own vegetable or herb garden. A family garden is a great family project that can cut your grocery bill.
If you don’t have a green thumb, check your local farmer’s market for fresh produce at a great price. You can even buy extras and can them for the winter.
A great financial savings tip, especially in the summer is to cut up the credit card! People buy more junk food with credit. Who needs junk when there’s an abundance of fresh summer fruit and veggies that are in season?
Enjoy Simple Entertainment
Everyone needs some time to let loose and have fun. Luckily, summer fun can be simple and inexpensive. Here are a handful of ideas:
- Enjoy the hot weather with outdoor activities that are good for your health, like neighborhood bike rides or playing Marco Polo in a pool or with a hose. No need for a gym membership!
- Organize a neighborhood foursquare, kickball or soccer tournament. Get your kids involved and let them set it up.
- Go see an outdoor music festival! Ottawa has tons of them in the summer and many are free!
Your kids don’t need you to dish out for expensive outings. They will honestly enjoy family game nights, camping and watching fireworks as long as it means spending time with family.
Get the Kids to Contribute
Many teenagers these days have summer jobs,which are essential for teaching kids the responsibilities of holding down a job and gaining financial freedom. They’ll also learn the value of earning and managing money.
If you have older kids, encourage them to be creative about how they can earn some money in their free time. Your budget will benefit as well since they won’t be hitting you up for allowance!
Save or Spend at the Beach?
Summer time means it’s beach vacation time.It’s money time too. But it doesn’t have to detrimental to your wallet.
You don’t have to spend like crazy for a day at the beach. But you also don’t have to count all your dollars in your pocket either. You are on vacation after all!
So with that in mind, here are some suggestions on what may be reasonable purchases for the beach—and what you may consider taking care of on your own.
Save
Pack a lunch. Instead of $9 for a beach side bistro burger, pack your own cooler with sandwiches, chips and drinks for the whole family. This will be much cheaper, plus you’ll avoid looking around in the heat when you’re hungry.
Buy sunscreen before you travel. Those beach side, tourist stores will charge you an arm and a leg for a tiny bottle of sunscreen, so buy it before you leave.
Spend
Rent an umbrella: If you don’t have one, an umbrella rental is worth spending a few bucks on. That few hours of shade will be worth it in the long run because you’ll avoid looking and feeling like a scorched lobster for the next few days!
Beach toys for the kids: A bucket and a couple of shovels are dollar-store-cheap—and they could entertain kids for hours. The beach isn’t the beach without a few toys to build a sandcastle, so don’t feel bad about spending a little on your kids.
Beach toys for the adults: A football, a Frisbee or maybe a volleyball set (though on the expensive side, a great investment for future seasons). Lying under the umbrella all day isn’t a bad idea, but getting up and moving around a little is just as good. Don’tforget the books!
Don’t forget to budget for your expenses throughout the summer season! What are somethings you’re going to save money on this summer? Tell us in the comments below.
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