Five Ways to Save More Money This Summer

There’s no shortage of fun things to do during the summer. That usually means there’s no shortage of ways to spend your money during this season, too. You want to take advantage of the beautiful weather and long sunny days, but don’t do it at the expense of your budget.

Try these five ways to save more money this summer while still enjoying the best of what the season has to offer.

Create a Small Potted Garden

“Grow your own food” is a common summertime money-saving tip — but trying to grow a large garden in the backyard when you’ve never done it before can get expensive. Not to mention, it’s hard work!

Instead, choose a few things to grow in manageable pots on the windowsill. Herbs are a great choice to start with, as are lettuces and other greens. Both these things are often hard to buy in small quantities at the store and the extra may go to waste. Growing your own can be cheaper than buying, and you can harvest only what you need.

Be Smart With Travel

Summer is the high season for just about everything. Try to avoid traveling during June, July, and August and instead take a vacation early in May or in September to get better deals on hotel rooms, flights, or car rentals. (You’ll also beat the touristy crowd, too.)

If you do want to take a trip this summer, consider traveling mid-week and avoiding weekends, when prices may be even higher. Plan to fly on Saturdays (a cheaper option because most people want to fly back home on Sundays to maximize their weekend time off) or Wednesdays and be flexible with your flight times. You’ll likely have a variety of flights to choose from that arrive and depart on the same day; flying out as early as possible can score major savings.

And while it might be summer here, it’s not peak season everywhere. For big trips, consider going where it’s locally off-season to avoid a crush of tourists — and sky-high prices.

Be Mindful of Energy Usage

Yes, the dog days of summer can hit us with what feels like an unbearable heat. But people have survived the hotter months for much longer than A/C has been around! You don’t need to turn your home into a giant walk-in freezer to get some relief for yourself — and your wallet.

Use a programmable thermostat and don’t keep your air running 24/7. Take advantage of cooler nights by opening windows and using fans. Put up shades or curtains during the day to block out the sun’s rays and keep rooms cooler — you can get a pack of six temporary blackout shades for as little as $30.

You’ll also want to maintain your air filters and ensure that your weatherstripping around doors and windows is in good shape and any cracks are sealed so cold air doesn’t escape.

Plan Ahead and Stick to Free Activities

By sticking to free (or almost free) activities you can save a lot of cash this summer. Pretty obvious, right? They key here — and something you may not always think of — is planning ahead. Set your summer weekend calendar in advance — that way you’ll leave less space for impulse (boredom) spending when Saturday rolls around. Check out events at parks, outdoor concerts and festivals now, and make note of them.

Here are some other ideas for free (or nearly free) things to do this summer:

• Join a rec sports league
• Workout or do yoga outside
• Go to (or start!) a block party
• Go swimming at your local community pool — or head out to a creek, lake, or ocean
• Do some DIY work around your home that you put off last winter
• Find a spot in the shade and write, read, or draw
• Go geocaching
• Invite friends over for dinner on the patio and a movie (rented for free from your local library)

Still looking for a little extra help finding local activities that fit your budget? Download an app like Gogobot — it will help you navigate local events and destinations.

Make Use of Deals and Coupons

Coupons don’t offer real savings if you use them to buy something you didn’t plan for, but sites that offer special deals and discounts can come in handy for summertime events. Before buying tickets or passes, go online and search for promo codes. It only takes a few minutes but can add up to big savings.

Planning ahead helps here, too. You can sign up for newsletters for venues or types of entertainment you’re interested in and be the first to receive special offers or coupons.