There are more than a few reasons why we spend so much money in the summer time. It’s beautiful outside and the kids are out of school, creating a perfect opportunity to break the bank on family activities like a day at the theme park. That same beautiful weather makes us all decide we need a whole new wardrobe, and somehow we always surpass the intended budget. Summer shouldn’t be spent worrying about money, it should be spent enjoying the sunshine with friends and family; so here are the top 4 ways to save money this summer.
Skip Restaurants. Enjoy More Meals at Home!
Restaurant food can be pricey, especially when you’re feeding the whole family, ordering drinks, and leaving a tip. Taking out the grill and having a backyard cookout with the whole family will not only save money, but give everyone a chance to have fun outside and eat with their hands without worrying about a mess. Buying a few pounds of chicken, hot dogs, or ground beef will cost you less than half of what you’d pay for dinner at a restaurant, even a fast food chain!
Trade in Your Old Car For A More Efficient Auto
A vehicle may seem like a large purchase, but when you consider the amount of money you spend on repairing your rundown old clunker, it seems much more reasonable to find affordable used cars for sale. In fact, you’ll be surprised by how easy it is to get an efficient used car using trade-in value from your old vehicle. Getting a new car will save money on fuel costs and repairs while making your travel less stressful. The first step is finding out how much your vehicle may be worth, and then you can enjoy the process of shopping for a replacement!
Seek Out Fun, Free, Family Activities
Fun with the family doesn’t have to be costly. In fact, there are hundreds of family activities that are inexpensive or free. To get ideas, visit your area’s visitor center or use Google to search for public beaches, parks, or hiking trails which usually only charge for parking, if at all. Some other free family activities can be done right in your yard. Planting a garden is an easy project that the whole family can help with, and having a water balloon or squirt gun fight is a great way to cool off.
Give a New Life to Old Clothes
Buying summer clothes for the whole family may be tempting, but it can be extremely pricey. Instead of replacing everything, go through last years shoes and clothes, looking for items that are still in good condition. Now it’s time for the fun part. Using fun DIY methods like Tie-dye, fabric paint and scissors, give last year’s clothes a summer makeover! Old jeans can become cut-off shorts. Stained white tee shirts can get a new life with a swirl of tie-dyed colors. Not only do these projects save money on new clothes and shoes, they are fun for kids’ parties and produce some adorable results! No matter how you choose to cut costs this summer, these easy tips are some of the best ways to ensure that your summer is not only fun, but affordable!