It is midway through summer and some people are inevitably re-examining their savings wondering how on earth large portions of money seemingly vanished. It’s the all-too-common summertime spending craze that will have your bank account drained before the temperature starts to cool off again. Luckily, some of the most common mistakes people make regarding money saving during the hottest season can easily be remedied as long as you realize the mistakes before you make them.
1.) Spending more on entertainment
Even for those of us who do not find ourselves free from work during the summer season, in our hearts these months will always be for having extra fun. The problem is, trying to have more fun is strongly correlated with spending more money on entertainment expenses. Do not fall victim to this common summer mistake. Instead of going out to dinner or a bar, try looking up local festivals or shows in your area—you’d be surprised how many are free. Get outside and take a walk or play some sports. Remember: you can still have fun without draining your wallet.
2.) Blasting the AC
Ok, it’s hotter outside. But lowering the temperature on your thermostat also lowers the amount in your bank account. Air conditioning can account for up to 70% of your energy costs during the summer! Instead of taking the seemingly easy way to cool off and hiking up your AC, try using more fans that will blow air directly on you. A refreshing cool glass of water always helps cool you down, too. Plus, if you close the blinds or shades in your home, it can block sunlight (and heat) from reaching inside your house. Think twice before consuming more energy! Chances are, you don’t really need to and you’re just consuming money while you are at it. For more tips on how to save on AC costs, check out http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/cooling.html .
3.) Wasting your free time
As stated previously, summertime is associated with more free time—the sun stays out longer, there are more vacation days, the whole nine yards. So instead of watching way too much Netflix or being lazy during all this extra time, use that time to help save yourself some money! You may be surprised at the amount of simple DIY projects you can complete at home that cause the savings to pile up. If you need recipes, instructions, or ideas, try http://www.blisstree.com/2010/06/04/sex-relationships/100-things-you-can-make-yourself/ or http://www.pinterest.com/stealthedeal/money-saving-diy-projects/ . If you feel up to the challenge, this website offers ideas for home improvements that will lower your maintenance bills, too: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,20250928,00.html . All it takes is a little time for some big savings.