Summer is finally here! It can be an expensive time of the year, especially for parents who have to keep their children entertained for the duration of the school holidays. Money is so often tight and many people – families or otherwise – will be looking for ways to save money this summer. If that’s you, here are some top budgeting tips.
DIY Snacks
When the sun is shining and the heat is rising, you’re likely going to want a cool snack. This will typically come in the form of ice cream or ice lollies. They are certainly tasty and definitely cool you down, but they’re also expensive. Branded types of lollies and ice creams can carry a hefty price tag, and for this reason, a lot of people choose to avoid them. Well, you don’t need to! It’s super easy to make your own ice lollies and ice cream.
For ice lollies, all you need is some fruit juice, a mould and a freezer. You can add in frozen berries or even sweets, and before you know it, you’ll have a super tasty snack that’s ready in less than a day! Ice cream will require an ice cream maker, but it will pay for itself over time when you stop buying tubs of ice cream.
Days Out
We’ve all been locked inside for much of the last year, and for many, this summer holds promise as the summer of regained freedom. Many people will be seeing loved ones for the first time, and what this means is plans are being made left, right and centre. There’s nothing with this, but you do need to be mindful of the financial implications lockdown has had on many people. For a lot of people, they’ve lost parts of their income and have had to make sacrifices to keep afloat. If this this is you, bear this in mind.
It’s fine to make plans, but look at your financial state and decide if it’s possible for you to take a hit. There are plenty of free things you can do with loved ones, such as a picnic in the park, a stroll on the beach or a simple backyard meet up. Alternatively, there are activities where you can split the cost, such as pay-by-car safari parks or barbecues where everyone brings a plate of food and contributes. These are all activities that will save you money.
Minimise Bills
The great thing about summer is that it presents the opportunity for you to save a bit money on bills. First of all, you won’t need to pay for heating. Yes, you’ll probably use more electricity for things like fans, but the expense of that is cheaper than paying for gas to heat your entire home. Another way you can push money off of bills is by drying your laundry outdoors. Clothes dryers can cost a lot to run, but if you have a garden, you can use the sun for free!
Take Advantage of the Outdoors
The really great thing about summer is that the air is warm, the weather is nice and the days are longer. This means you can get outdoors more, and going out can often be cheaper than staying in. Rather than coming home from work and heading straight to the sofa to watch hours of films and TV, you can go out for walks, sit in the garden or do a spot of maintenance when you get home. This means you’re using less electricity, and that means you’re saving money which is the basis of all good budgeting.
Summary
Hopefully, a few of these tips will allow you to save a bit more money this summer!