Summer is supposed to be a time for long days, warm weather, and time spent with the family. The kids are out of school, and a lot people take time off of work to enjoy the sunshine. It can also be expensive between family vacations to amusement parks and keeping your home cool.
Take a look at these 17 ways you can save money this summer and still have fun.
- Walk or bike more. Leave your car at home when you can to save on gas.
- Pack a picnic lunch and spend a day at the park.
- Bring your lunch to work and spend time in the fresh air on your lunch hour.
- Be a tourist in Charlotte – a tourist on a budget. See the free sights, enjoy the parks, go to a museum when they’re offering discounts, catch a movie in the park, and anything else offered for free or at a discount.
- Enjoy local festivals. Of course there are local vendors begging you to buy something, but walk through and enjoy browsing instead. Festivals usually offer free entertainment for the whole family.
- Get outside more. Cancel the gym membership, go to the movies a little less, and play outside – with or without the kids.
- Go to the library. You can check out books, music, and DVDs. It’s free to use as long as you’re not overdue.
- Build a vegetable garden in your backyard. You’ll spend time outside in the fresh air and have vegetables to eat later.
- Cancel your cable and do stuff together as a family instead. Play board games or do fun and free things around Charlotte.
- Check out garage sales and flea markets instead of buying new.
- Dry your laundry outside on the line to use your dryer less.
- Grill outside as often as you can. You’ll keep your house cooler and use less energy.
- Bump up the air conditioner just one degree warmer. You’ll barely notice the difference in the temperature but you’ll see the difference on your electric bill.
- Take a short road trip instead of planning the expensive family vacation.
- Head to a beach, lake, or river for the day. Pack a cooler full of food.
- Let the kids set up a lemonade stand in the neighborhood. They’ll be outside doing something and learn about earning money.
- Scope out the splash pads and free water parks in your area. You don’t need a pool if you know where to go to cool down.
The kids don’t need to spend all summer in front of a TV or computer and you don’t have to spend a ton of money to keep everyone entertained or out of the heat. With a little creativity and a bit of planning, you can save money and have a great time this summer.