7 Ways to Save Money and Still Have Fun This Summer

It seems like it’s all too easy to spend more than you intended to on a vacation. So let’s explore some ways to save money and still have fun while enjoying summer.

1. Vacation Locally

Summer vacations don’t have to be expensive. One of the easiest ways to save money and still have fun with your summer travels is to limit the travel part. Try a summer vacation closer to home. This could help you save hundreds or thousands of dollars on airline tickets. 

You might find great beaches, state parks, lakes, mountains, hiking trails, and other fun vacation spots that are driving distance from home or right in your backyard. Vacationing locally, or even a staycation in your own home city, could help you save big on travel costs. 

Many families discover that a local vacation lets them experience fun new places that they might never have known about. Staying in your home city for a staycation means you can enjoy your favorite haunts in a more relaxed fashion, instead of being limited to weekends or days off. 

This is an interesting way to reacquaint yourself with the fun things your own hometown or a nearby city has to offer. No need to spend lots of money and lots of time waiting in airports or driving in the car. 

You May Like These

7 Smart Ways to Use Your Credit Cards in a Recession

Looking for a Loan with Bad Credit?

Should I Consolidate Student Loan Debt?

2. Get a Bulk Discount on Summer Fun 

Saving money on summer fun doesn’t mean you have to give up all of your favorite summertime activities. Make a plan for fun places and attractions you want to go to this summer—and then buy a season pass. 

Many swimming pools and aquatic centers offer big discounts if you buy a season pass instead of individual admissions each time you go. The same is true of amusement parks, water parks, zoos, aquariums, science centers, museums, and other places that people love to go in the summertime. 

3. Cook at Home to Save Money on Restaurants

If you’re watching your budget, cooking more meals at home is one of the best ways to cut extra spending. Preparing summertime meals at home can also be one of the best ways to save money and still have fun. Eating at home usually costs less than eating at a restaurant. Some ideas: 

• Have friends over for a summertime brunch on the patio. 

• Have a root beer float party. 

• Barbecue outside on the grill and avoid heating up your kitchen.  

4. Exercise Outside

Save money on a gym membership by exercising in the great outdoors. With little or no equipment, you can get a great summer workout in your backyard, local park, or at the beach. Search YouTube for videos of outdoor workout ideas. 

Not only will you save money, but simply getting out into the sun and where you can see other people can uplift the spirit in a way that no gym can.

5. Go to the Library Instead of the Mall

Hot summer days can make air conditioned indoor malls or movie theaters seem like a tempting way to escape the heat and humidity. But spend too much time there, and you might also find yourself spending too much money—or even racking up credit card debt.

Have free, brain-boosting fun by going to the library instead. Your local library can help you check out a wide variety of books and other media, like ebooks, DVDs, and audiobooks, and even streaming movies, for free. They might offer local museum passes, too, or other local entertainment.

6. Turn Your Kitchen Into a Coffee Shop

Giving up your daily Starbucks run to save money isn’t exactly new financial advice, but what if you could save money and still have your favorite beverage every day? You can—by becoming your own barista. Many grocery stores sell gourmet coffee that you can brew at home, and you can find plenty of recipe tips online to help you craft your favorite cup of joe. You might save money in the long run by investing in a good coffee machine so you can brew your favorite coffees at home. 

What if you prefer other delicious (and pricey) coffeehouse drinks? Many local grocery stores carry bottles of concentrate for beverages like chai tea. You can buy a bottle at the store and then mix the concentrate with milk and a bit of syrup. This gives you the ingredients to make five chai lattes for the price of two at a coffee shop—without leaving home. 

7. Take Your Vacation Down a Notch 

What if you could have a fantastic summer vacation by doing lower-cost versions of the same thing? Here are some possible swaps:

• Instead of staying at a three-star hotel, go camping. 

• Skip the Major League Baseball game. Go root for the minors instead. 

• Pass on the expensive music festival in another state. Find a free outdoor concert from your local city symphony. 

• Instead of an international seafront resort in the Caribbean, try a nearby lakefront resort in your home state. 

You might discover that the lower-cost vacation is just as fun as the more expensive one. It’s not always the destination or quality of the accommodations that makes for a happy summer experience. It’s the people you’re with, and how you spend your time. 

Summer is the Perfect Time to Save Money and Improve Your Finances

People sometimes feel like they have to spend lots of money in the summer, with big vacations and big celebrations. But if you’re struggling with money and falling behind on your bills, summer can also be a perfect occasion to set a budget and get rid of debt. 

If you need help with debt relief, use the summertime months to have an easier, more peaceful, lower-cost life. Even if you have overdue debts or unpaid credit cards, don’t worry—you can consider a debt settlement program or other financial help so you can move forward with your life.