Three dollar bills are buried in sand on sandy beach near sea at sunset dawn in summer heat close-up. Money. Dollars covered sand. Money grows in ground. Finance and investment concept.

Cooling Off Financial Woes During the Summer Heat

When the calendar turns up the summer heat, a new season awaits us all–splurging season. You know? The time of the year when you plan on getting away, buying new clothes, making home improvements, and spending more on bills like air conditioning and water? 

Yes, it is a wonderfully stressful time of the year. 

The summer months are fun and relaxing, yet they can be expensive if you’re not careful. Bankrate shares that a one-week vacation in the U.S. for two people has increased an average of $3,982. If you are fortunate enough to spend that money, there is still the concern of the other bills and expenses. 

Stop the madness and cool off! Summer doesn’t have to be this concerning. There are many ways to manage the hot budget worries these coming months. Beyond Finance’s experts and client financial therapists, we share a few ideas for making the summer months more manageable and less stressful. 

Credit is Due

You want the points and rewards, but you can manage without them for three to four months. It’s worth it. Having cash in your wallet without the security of credit cards will help you prioritize where to spend your money during the summer heat and what matters most. 

Cash Flow

Summer is a fantastic time to consider different ways to increase your savings. When was the last time you had a garage sale? How about cleaning the closets and bagging some finds for the local consignment store? From side hustles to survey-taking, you can efficiently cool off the bank account during the summer. 

Look Ahead

Group of friends looking ahead into the summer heat

Have you ever heard, “There’s no time like the present?” Make a savings account as a gift to yourself. Setting money aside each paycheck for a staycation is not too late.

If thoughts of a hotel or an Airbnb don’t interest you this summer, what about putting money aside for the higher utility bill? For next summer, consider saving $100 each month. By the time next June gets here, you will have paid your vacation in full. 

Free Bird 

Yelp or local Chambers of Commerce usually create “Things to Do” or “Free Attractions” in whatever city you live. If the kids are bored or want to get out of the house to enjoy summer heat, there are bound to be things you can do that you never knew were available. Save money, or spend as little as possible, and have a great time doing it. 

No FOMO

The summer months are always a good time to enjoy your family, the weather and the freedom of not using social media. Everyone else goes shopping and spends time in these exotic places. Pictures are going up on every social platform, but you don’t know what it took for people to post to get those images. There could be thousands on credit cards, so don’t be fooled and focus on what you value. 

Take It Outside

The summer months are the time for adventure. Venture outside your comfort zone and learn about the world around you. Plenty of discounts exist for travelers across the country or the street.

Visit AAA, Travel Advisor or local city websites for discounts, coupons or insider benefits. Just because it’s heating outside doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it too. Spend time together away from home. 

Cook Inside 

Instead of taking the easy way out and spending money at the drive-thru, visit the local farmer’s market and buy fresh produce to make a delicious meal. Enough cooking will yield leftovers, which will save you more money. You don’t need a special diet to be intentional about what you eat or spend. 

Step Off The Gas 

A feared sight during the summer is the gas light coming on because prices at the pump always go up. More people travel, so more gas is used. What if you didn’t need the gas so much? Walking, riding a bike, ride-sharing, or taking public transportation instead of driving always helps the budget. Surprising tactics like cleaning your trunk or airing your tires can also help with gas mileage. 

As the summer heat (and inflation) continues, Beyond Finance strives to provide tools and resources for the many hard-working Americans trying to save money and get on the road faster to move beyond debt.