Summer time – and the livin’ is easy. Right? Well, that’s not always the case. Summer means hotter temperatures, more activities to plan while the kids are out of school, and even a possible vacation.

How can you save more on some of these extra summer costs? Let us tell you how!

1. Home Efficiency – Warmer temperatures outside can mean warmer temperatures inside your home, which can often be unbearable especially when trying to sleep at night. Try changing all your bed sheets to cotton, which are more breathable and much cooler to sleep on. Also consider changing to LED light bulbs which emit less heat within your home. Another source of heat in your home comes from the stove or oven when you cook. Consider cooking on the grill outdoors when possible to keep the excess heat outside.
2. Community Calendar – Check out the calendar of happenings in your town! For example, the Hawaii Tribune Herald and West Hawaii Today newspapers may have this, or you can find one online like www.bigislandnow.com/events. Your local radio stations always share upcoming community events so keep an ear out for those on your drive to and from work. Plan out your summer activities based off of anything you see that interests you or could be great to keep your kids busy and active. Be sure to write the ones you are interested in attending down in your calendar so you don’t forget!
3. Plan out your family days – We all know activities involving the whole family can be costly, like going to the movies or arcade, but summer is the perfect time to schedule in more family time while the kids are out of school and don’t have homework to worry about. Start planning now and think of some family friendly ideas that aren’t as costly, such as a family picnic at the park or a beach day. This tip also coincides with the community calendar, in case there is anything on there that you see.
4. Plan a Staycation – Even if traveling out of state or abroad is not within your plans for the summer, you can still plan a staycation! Use your vacation days to catch up on some long overdue projects at home, cross off some items from your bucket list, or maybe explore an area of your town that you haven’t gotten to see yet. We’ve got a bunch of places to see here on the Big Island so a staycation can still be the perfect getaway to relax and unwind before heading back to work.

Share with us in the comments below if you know of other ways to help save money over the summer months. Stay cool and don’t forget to enjoy some time off!

 

Source: 7 Simple Steps to Prepare for a Thrifty Summer