This is a guest post by Heather Johnson, who is an industry critic on the subject of Business Cards. She invites your feedback at heatherjohnson2323 at gmail dot com.
Summertime is just around the corner and if the rising temperatures don’t make you sweat, the rising costs certainly might. From utility bills to gas expenditures, the summer sure isn’t as carefree as it was when you were a child. Not to put a damper on your love of the warmer months, but it is time to plan for increasing summer expenses. Below are several ways the coming months could really cost you, as well as some frugal tips to counter these expenses.
- Energy Bill – Unless you live in an arctic climate, you can bet that air conditioner will be cranked up very soon. Some of us who live in the southern region will see our energy bills double when the weather reaches triple digits. Frugal Tip: If you are leaving the house for more than two hours, turn off the air conditioner. Also, be sure to utilize your ceiling fans to keep the comfort level under control.
- Water Bill – The sun will be dehydrating both you and your lawn, causing the water bill to really skyrocket. Of course, you will also be taking more baths and showers as you sweat your way through the summer months. Frugal Tip: Only water your lawn when it is dusk or completely dark outside. This will prevent the sun from evaporating and wasting water. Also, make sure your showers are as brief as possible.
- Gas – Gas prices only continue to climb, which is already affecting us. However, the summer often brings more driving and the need for more gas. This is especially true if you suddenly have to transport your vacationing children all over town. Also, this is the time when people take road trips, which can cost a fortune in gas prices alone. Frugal Tip: Keep your car properly maintained this summer, such as properly balancing the tires and tuning up the engine. Also, try to pay for your gas in cash, as many credit / debit cards will be charging you extra fees on top of the gas.
- Entertainment – If you have children in public school, then they will soon be tugging at your pant leg and telling you they are bored. (Yes, even the teenagers will be doing that.) This will result in more entertainment expenses to keep the children occupied. Also, this is the time of year for vacations, whether you have children or not. All in all, those gift shops and amusement parks aren’t cheap. Frugal Tip: There are plenty of fun things to do around town that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. Try the local park for sports and recreation. Also, swimming at a local lake or ocean will be free of charge. Don’t assume you have to spend your summer vacation in an overpriced tourist trap.
These are just a few ways that the summertime can eat into your savings. In order to preserve your cash in the coming months, follow the frugal tips listed above. While this advice won’t make you a rich person, it might help you pay the rent until you are settled back into the calm, cooler days of autumn.
Do you have any frugal Summer tips? Let me know?
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photo by doolittle1989
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
You have some pretty good tips. I know I have been trying to think of other things to do in our city that will use less gas. During the summer our public schools offer activities for the kids to do free. I plan on going to the library even more. Every Tuesday there is some event for the kids plus it is air conditioned! I am also going to get a Zoo pass. There is more than just animals to see. The Zoo also hosts member only events and also have a really nice playground.
In New York they have a state parks pass you can purchase that gets you into all of the state parks and beaches (usually it means free parking). And our local library has all sorts of activities for kids of different ages. I’ve also found that some credit cards and banks sponsor some museums for free entrance.
Now is a good time to look up the community calendars in your area – they might be hosted by the newspaper, tourism bureau, library, city recreation department and / or school district.
Then make a list of all the special events such as concerts in the park, historical festivals and parades that would be of interest to your family and how much is the admission / parking / activity fees. Put those dates on your day planner.
Now you have a plan for making the most of your summer!
I am with you all on the memberships! We get a zoo membership every year- and a NYS park pass as mentioned above. Our little ones love the zoo and are on a first name basis with their favorite animals. They also have frequent programs (like ice cream socials, etc) that keep it interesting. And I think going to the local beach (lake) frequently is more fun than one long trip with a hotel stay.
We always sign up for free swimming lessons at our city pool so the weekdays have a rhythm to them- picnic lunches and swimming everyday, then home for naps for the youngest two kids. After naps, another fun event may happen- or it could be just playing in the backyard with the sprinkler available on hotter days.
My eldest is at the age where sleepaway camp beckons. She has been to church camp for a week before, but wanted two weeks this year. Luckily, our church offers grants- so we advised her to apply if she wanted the 2nd week. She had to present her case (so to speak) to the board- and was awarded her money. She will need to share what she learned with her Sunday School class in the fall- so she now has a vested interest in her adventure. She also wanted Girl Scout camp- thankfully, she was motivated to keep cookie sales really hopping this year (I helped a lot too) and earned her week away. I feel like my baby will be gone half the summer (she will be!)- but she earned most of it herself- and we stress how proud we are of this. My eldest son wants to go to a day camp for dancing (his idea of fun is creating ballet to Harry Potter soundtracks- our own “Billy Elliot” of the family!)- so this will be his special fun for the summer (he’s 3 years younger than his big Sis and not ready for sleepaway camp yet). The day camp is thru our city schools PEP camp and really quite reasonably priced.
@ Monroe – You’re right on! I’ve seen a lot of free concerts here in NYC in the Summer. And many parks have special events going on such as movies, fireworks, aircraft demonstrations, free museum days…
@ DivaJean – We haven’t gotten a parks pass in a couple of years due to out little guy being born but I think it might be time to renew. If my wife went to Jones beach once a week I think it would pay for itself never mind all of the other parks we get into.
I’ll have to look into the zoo and such passes. I know of a bunch of free zoos that we’re going to have to go to. Our son loves animals!
Our daughter is getting to girl scout camp age. Not this year but maybe next Summer?
As a single mom, I couldn’t afford to take my daughter on too many vacations and didn’t own a car at the time. When I took paid vacation from my job, we would play “tourist” in our own city. We would always take the bus everywhere we went. One day it would be the zoo, another day a trip downtown, and another day to the museum.
Libraries are another good source for summer activities for the kids. The Pittsburgh City Parks show family friendly movies outside in the parks as dusk falls. Just bring a blanket, some snacks and enjoy.
As for the grownups, how about getting together with friends to play cards or board games. Go neighboring or sit in your yard or on your porch (or somebody elses) and visit a while.
Just wanted to add a comment about getting your kids up and out of the house. Whether young or old, if your kids see you having fun then they will have fun. It is all about getting them engaged!
A bike ride, a day at the park, a sing along: whatever your child is interested in find a way to sit down and learn from them; get them to show you their talent! They are pretty smart!
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