Summertime is here and that means a multitude of things. School is out for some, pools are open in the neighborhoods, and the days are hotter for all. But just because temperatures are rising doesn’t mean your bills have to as well! Be smart this summer and find out the best ways to save money for you and your family. That way, you can truly find a way to cool down instead of feeling the heat of mounting financial stress.
What do we typically spend more money on during the summer months?
Entertainment
For a significant amount of the population, summertime is more free time. And we all know that free time can be very dangerous for our wallets, as it usually means time to spend money. Not to fret, there are plenty of ways to have fun without breaking the bank.
First off, think outdoor entertainment! A friendly neighborhood BBQ where everyone brings one dish is inexpensive and can be a blast for everyone involved. Get a group of friends rounded up for a sports scrimmage; get inspired by the World Cup and play some soccer. Or have fun with tennis; if you want to try to beat the heat, you guy can venture inside and shoot some hoops.
If you are looking for inexpensive fun for the whole family, season passes to amusement parks such as White Water or Six Flags are a great investment. You can have an entire day’s worth of fun every single week for an extremely affordable price. Some movie theaters also have summer specials where they show kid-friendly movies for free in the mornings (concessions are offered at a reduced price as well).
Air-Conditioning
It is completely natural to use the AC more during the summer months of the year. Depending on where you live, temperatures can seem downright unbearable sometimes. But while you are blasting the air-conditioning, you are wasting hundreds of dollars.
To enhance your summer saving, plant leafy bushes or shrubs in front of your windows and other spots of the house that receive heavy sunlight. Plants not only provide shade and block out the sunrays from reaching your rooms indoors, but they are not expensive to buy. An even simpler (though somewhat less effective) option is to close your blinds during the hottest parts of the day; this, too, will block out the sun. Installing solar screen in all of your windows is an investment of both time and money, but can be extremely effective at saving money over time.
Also, at night and during times of the day that no one is home, turn down the AC significantly. Fans are also a great way to cool you off without blasting the AC.
Shopping
For some reason, shopping seems to pick up during the summer. Other than using sheer self-control, you may want to check out some of these highly popular coupon websites before you head on a spree: http://thekrazycouponlady.com/ , http://www.passionforsavings.com/ , http://www.retailmenot.com/. Be smart with your money and ask yourself if you really need what you are about to buy.