Summer On A Budget: Hacks To Save & Splurge Smartly
The temperature in some areas is starting to peak up but also inflation. It’s that time of year when people think about what they and/or their kids are going to do this summer. I wanted to shift your focus from the phase of “it costs too much” to “let’s find a way” - because when it comes to your money, the negative thoughts about money can keep you in the house. This can be especially seen during the summer months.
Within a Bankrate survey, over 36% of Americans planning a summer vacation are willing to go into debt to finance it. The purpose of this article is to have you not go into debt when you want you and your family to disappear. Many of us know about using Travel Credit Cards to swipe for points when it comes to airlines, hotel stays, and experiences. I get it, but 20% of travelers expect to carry a balance on their credit card from summer travel. I don’t want you having fun this summer and then watch your funds being stressed until next summer.
In this article I’m going to help you, one of the 35% of folks who haven't budgeted for summer expenses like vacations, camps, or social events - actually have a summer while not overspending. On average summer lasts roughly 93.6 days and we’re going to maximize it without maxing your overall budget. We will go over the pre-work to see how much you have and then move into your options. Doing this pre-work would allow you to plan for next summer as well.
Pre-Summer (Planning):
Before we move into applying sunscreen, let’s see what you currently have within your budget to spend.
Pull out your statement from last summer to see what you did and how much you spent. Based on whether it’s just you or if you have a crew, you know inflation will pull up how much you can expect to send. Doing an audit of your wallet from last year will allow you to see how much you could expect to spend if you did the same or around what you did last year.
Make a list of things that you would like to do and the logistics around it, this is going to build your summer budget. This is going to be separate from your core budget. This itemizing of sorts is focused on the things you can do, the cash flow from your core, and finding vibes within the value of what you have. Something to keep in mind - how much does it cost, how long would it last (if it’s a trip)/ the actual dates, etc. This will come in handy when it comes to your automation calculations, building your savings, and determining what’s going to be a “go” or a “not this summer”. I’m not going to say nope, but how can we plan better for next time. Even if you feel you can’t do anything (been there), this blog post will get you thinking about what you can do within your budget. The focus here is to find the fun in your funds and not swiping what we can’t handle. Your core and your supporting budgets are like a group project for your finances, but you’re the leader of the project.
After you do that, I want you to look at where you currently are with your money right now. Do you have any savings – if so how much and what is it designated for? If it’s just for experiences, good. If this savings you’re speaking of is for your emergency - NO. Your summer isn’t an emergency, we’re getting into how you can do summer on the low-spend shortly.
Look into your budget/expenses to see how much you could automate into a separate HYSA or sinking fund that would be for experiences - like summer, holiday travel, etc. Then look at the calendar to determine how much this amount could grow to be (automating each paycheck or extra pay-up money) by certain dates in the summer. You can spread out things to do throughout the summer, no worries.
* I talked about on one of my YouTube videos about doing the tier method when it comes to self-care. I want you to do the same when it comes to your summer itinerary as well. When we get the insights, we can implement better for the summer! Based upon your family size, break down your tiers like:
$0 - $40: Looking for something to do within the budget or lack thereof
$50 - $70: Ok, we can do a little more…
$71- $200 (etc): We can expand the spend, friends!
These tiers are based on your budget, accessibility to things, and what you like to do! Move the scale as much as you need to. It all goes back to you, your wallet, and how you budget.
One other thing I will call out before we get into planning - track your spending not only when you’re planning, but as you do the summering and then debrief. After each “fun” calculate your funds! Set the budget, break it up by fund then track your spending throughout the summer months. As the temperature starts to drop - see how you did. This will give you a baseline of how to plan for next year.
Summer Spending - In Layers
If you read my blog post about doing a low-spend, no-spend challenge - we can apply these to your summer stack plans as well:
Low-Spend Summer: Pack picnics for outdoor adventures, explore free local attractions, and have game nights with friends.
No-Spend Summer: Get creative! Organize potlucks, have movie marathons at home, and enjoy free outdoor activities like hiking or biking.
Free And Low-Cost Outdoor/ Indoor Activities
Exploring local parks and nature reserves: Plenty of events at local parks could give you low-cost vibes for the value saved.
Day Trips like Beach and lakes, theme parks: Depending on your location, you could easily find day trips for low costs
Hiking and nature trails: Do a simple Google search of locations with parks and trails near you to find what works for your crew to see the sights.
Community gardens: (here in Charlotte there are things like Food Festivals and Park events) and farmers markets are clutch as well.
Free local festivals and fairs: Connect with your local travel resources for your city/town to know what’s going on!
Exploring university events and workshops + Library programs and storytimes: Opt-in to the email list to stay connected.
Utilizing free recreational facilities (e.g., public tennis courts, swimming pools): need I say more?
Affordable Cultural Experiences:
Free museum days and public art displays. Another plug? Look to see what museums and zoos have memberships that you could use for the summer months. While there are museum days, memberships give you an edge. A perk? You can claim most of your taxes as contributions.
Outdoor concerts and theater performances
Historical site visits and self-guided tours
Finding Deals Like A Pro
The Power of Coupons & Discount Sites: Explore Groupon (look for “summer vacation” or “summer activities”), RetailMeNot, and deal platforms for discounts on local activities, restaurants, and attractions. Doing specific searches can save you big money on platforms!
For instance in Charlotte, here are a couple of deals for families, your crew, or just you —
Make a list and then see what you can find on those websites. Also, set up Google Alerts for your favorite things to do around the city (or neighboring cities).
Travel on a Budget: Consider shoulder seasons (outside peak times) for cheaper flights and accommodation. Even if you can’t do the shoulder months, using Google Tracker to find flights is another thing that never goes out of style. You can also look on platforms like Expedia, Sam’s /BJs/Costco travel and entertainment deals (or if you have a card with perks). Leverage platforms like CheapCaribbean (I’ve used this myself for my trip to Jamaica - included all-inclusive stay, flight options were under $600. You can also make payments) find what’s in your budget and plan far enough out). Here me out - check your fav airline to see if they have any deals that you can use miles for and your card for points you already have. Yet, do this within your plan - I mean summer budget.
Another timeless gem? If you see timeshare things like this, sit through them. Get whatever you can out of it but kindly decline any offers to purchase. Timeshares can be a headache to get out of - trust me. After reading this, you might see an ad due to retargeting for “vacation clubs” after reading this blog post, so research whether they are legit or lousy. With anything - make sure you read the terms!
Singles Summer Fun On A Budget
Embrace Solo Travel: Hostels and budget accommodations open doors to affordable adventures. Did this in Jamaica and felt safe.
Join Group Activities: Meetup groups offer social connections and shared interests without breaking your budget.
Staycation with a Twist: Explore hidden gems in your city or the city next door, have themed movie nights at home, or try free online courses. Just be within your budget!
Some Other Platforms for Affordable Activities
Airbnb Experiences: Unique and affordable activities hosted by locals
Hopper: Get the best deals on flights
HotelTonight: Last-minute hotel deals
Travelzoo: Deals on travel, entertainment, and dining
TrailLink: Find hiking, biking, and running trails
Expedia and other travel sites: Some of them also have reward programs. Those points could go to later travel.
Saving For Summer Programs (+ Beyond)
Start Early, Save Consistently: Set up automatic transfers to a dedicated savings account (HYSA) for next year's programs. See what programs you can do now within your budget. Take into account the costs before setting plans for next year. Look also at curriculum/activities as well.
Explore Scholarships and Grants: Many camps offer financial assistance. Research and apply - early!
Consider Alternatives: Look for budget-friendly community base camps.
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Summer doesn't have to be expensive. With a little planning and resourcefulness, you can create lasting memories without breaking the bank. So, grab your swimsuit, embrace the sunshine, and have a fantastic summer! Share your budget-friendly summer plans and tips in the comments!