You can save money throughout the year, but the warm weather of summers and kid’s vacation brings many expenses that you must financially plan for in advance. You may spend extra on entertainment, food, shopping, energy, or travel during the summers. As adults, we all have realized that summer months can be expensive, and you have to adopt a few strategies that are entirely different but manageable.

However, with these summer money-saving tips, you can save more money instead of spending more. Don’t worry; you don’t have to cut corners to cut costs; you can try them without avoiding the utmost essential expenses. 

Ride Your Bike While Doing Daily Errands 

If you have errands to run close by, ditch the car and ride a bike, which can save you a lot of money. Riding a bike has two main advantages. First, it gives you a good workout session, and second, it helps you cut down on your fuel costs. 

To make your task more manageable, you can attach a basket to your bike or buy a saddlebag. This way, you’ll be mindful while purchasing as you can’t carry much on the bike. So, as you see, one solution can help you in many ways. 

While riding a bike, make sure you wear a helmet and bring a lock with you to keep your bike safe. 

Rent Over Purchase 

Summer can also bring that urge to try DIY projects. Many DIY tasks such as tile removal or deep cleaning your home require special tools like a jackhammer or carpet cleaner. These tools might be expensive to buy. Instead, you can rent them for a specific purpose at a minimal charge. 

You can rent some standard tools by the day or hour, including jackhammer, pressure washers, carpet cleaners, and hammer drills. You may find these tools at your local tool center. 

Time To Replace Your Cabin Air Filter 

A clogged air filter can put a strain on your car’s blower motor and may cause your AC to run harder and longer during summers. You can easily access and replace cabin air filters, and doing so by yourself will save you around $30. 

You can buy a cabin air filter from any auto parts store and can Google the installation instructions. Mark the order of the airflow arrows so you can install the new filter in the proper direction. If you still feel any confusion or difficulty, contact a professional to do the job for you. 

Invest In A Programmable Thermostat 

You might be thinking this list is about saving money then why are we talking about investing? A programmable thermostat is something you may want to invest in. They are very affordable and will save you more money than they cost. 

With a programmable thermostat, you can set different temperatures during the day. It will turn on or off your AC without you even worrying about it. You can also set the AC to go down when it gets cold at night. 

With a bit of research, you can get a thermostat for less than $50. Amazing right? 

Grow Your Fruits And Vegetables 

Growing fruits and vegetables at home is a fun activity not just for you but for your entire family. Don’t get scared. You don’t need a plow to grow a few tomatoes, herbs, or raspberries in your garden. You can quickly grow vegetables like tomatoes, radishes, etc., in containers. 

Whether you live in a small or a vast apartment, you can still grow food in many ways. This way, you can have control over where your food is coming from, and it will also save you a lot of money. Apart from this, gardening could be a fun activity for your kids too. If your kids don’t eat a particular vegetable, grow it with them. Kids are more likely to eat something they grew themselves. 

Save Money While Paying Bills 

While these two may sound contradictory but are possible with the right strategy. Try the following tips to save money on your bills.

• Switch Credit Cards – If you spend a lot of money buying food or traveling, switch to such credit cards that offer special rewards for your spending habits. 
• Switch To Budgeting Apps – No matter how cautiously we spend, we end up spending on things that add up to our monthly bills. With budgeting apps, you can see how your random purchases shape your monthly budget. 
• Make Use Of All The Available Coupons – While buying things, make sure to see which coupons you can use. Using online coupons can save you up to 10%. 
• Don’t Forget To Unsubscribe From Services – While we’re talking about bills, reconsider all the services you are a subscriber to. If you’re not going to the gym or not using Netflix, cancel all such subscriptions you haven’t used for over a month. This will save you money.

Keep Your Curtains And Blinds Closed During The Day 

Yeah, in the beginning, you might feel like you’re blocking every ray of sunlight from getting in, but the hard work pays off. When direct sunlight enters your home, it produces heat, which means your AC will have to work harder to make cool air in your house. This, in turn, puts a significant load on your electricity bill. 

You can also caulk up your doors and windows to prevent the air from getting out of the house. Sealing your doors and windows would prevent your AC from working overtime, and this might save around 20% on your energy bill. 

Try Some Energy-Saving Tips 

Fortunately, you can save a lot of money without getting drenched in sweat this summer. Here’s how you can save energy.

Check Your Air Conditioning 

Just like any other machine, your air conditioner also needs regular maintenance. Neglecting necessary maintenance causes poor performance and high energy usage. You don’t need a professional to give your AC a quick check. You can vacuum the air vents to ensure there isn’t any dust build-up. 

Also, avoid placing your thermostat near TV or lamps as it may sense the heat produced by such appliances. This will make your AC work longer. 

Replace Your Air Filters 

Replacing your air filters is one of the most practical and essential things to ensure that your AC works correctly. Clogged and dirty filters block normal airflow and reduce the ability of your air conditioner to absorb heat. Replacing a dirty filter can lower your A/C’s energy usage by up to 15%. 

Switch To Led Bulbs  

It’s time to toss out the regular incandescent light bulbs and bring home LED lights. LED lights are the most energy-efficient option available nowadays. These lights last 25 times longer, use 75% less energy, and run much cooler than regular incandescent lights. You might feel they cost a little more while buying, but they will save you many times more than they cost. 

Wash Strategically 

Dishwashers, washing machines, and clothes dryers all produce a lot of heat. You can cut back on this by only using cold water for washing. Wash all the dishes and clothes at once instead of running the appliance again and again. 

After you’ve washed your clothes, hang them outside to dry. This way you won’t have to use the clothes dryer. Since you’re not using hot water for anything, your water heater won’t add to the electricity bill. 

Eat Out Less

Enjoy cooking with your family and friends and avoid spending lots of money that restaurants can demand. Clean off the old barbeque in your backyard and get it ready for summer cooking. You can also get some outdoor cooking tools and accessories. Take advantage of the beautiful summer evenings and host dinner for family and friends. 

Combine Your To-do Lists And Car Rides

Gas is expensive and if you find yourself going out several times during the day, rethink. The best way to cut back on fuel costs is by combining to-do lists. Wait until you have more than two things to do. This way, you’ll save your valuable time and money on gas as well. 

Try A Staycation

If you are tight on budget and can’t spend much on your vacation, try a staycation. Staycation is when you explore those parts of your city which you haven’t explored yet. You can visit your city museum, local parks, national parks, etc. You won’t have to leave your house and town, and you can still have a lot of fun. But remember staying all the time at home doesn’t count in staycation!

Find Out About The Farmers Market Schedule

With summer, more farmer markets get stuffed with fresh and budget-friendly food. Not only will you favor your wallet, but you will also contribute to local business. 

The Bottom Line

Summer gives us a chance to enjoy leisure and adventure either at home or wherever we want. However, this summer can put a slight extra strain on our finances. With the tips mentioned above, you can make the most out of summer without crushing on your wallet. Take out time and plan everything. From groceries to vacation to electricity bills, you can save on everything if you spend strategically.