It’s the time of lighter nights and warmer days, and the smell of suncream and BBQs fill the air. It can only mean one thing – summer is here! From post-work drinks to picnics in the park, festivals in a field to aperitif at sunset.
But all these al fresco activities come at a price. We’ve put together some top tips to help make sure you save money this summer, without missing out on all the fun!
Work out your budget
Before you start spending with reckless abandon, it’s time to work out your budget. Look at your income and decide how much you can spend each month, whilst also saving and paying for all the essentials like food and bills. Prepaid cards are great for helping you stay on track with your budget. Load up your card at the start of the month with the amount you’re giving yourself.
A good option to consider is the 50 30 20 rule. This methods consists on expending 50% of your income on basic necessities such as groceries or gas; 30% should go towards personal expenses such as nights out or that new pair of jeans you can’t live without; the remaining 20% is what you save, allowing you to build up your savings account as the months pass.
Say no
Just because you’ve been invited to the biggest festival of the summer, doesn’t mean you have to go. Learning how to say no will help you save money in the long-run, leaving you with money in the future to splash on something you really want.
Equally, just because restaurants and bars are now open, it doesn’t mean we should stop meeting up with friends for a walk around the park instead. It’s a common misconception that you need to expend money to have fun. However, I’m sure you didn’t spend a penny is some of the best moments of your life.
Go last-minute
Whilst planning and paying in advance is often the best policy for saving, if you’re planning on a holiday this summer, booking last-minute could help you save. A lot of holiday businesses slash the prices if they have last-minute availability. It might mean you don’t get exactly what you’re looking for but if you’re making a saving and the sun’s shining – who cares!
Shop around
Shopping around can mean you can make some mega-savings, especially when it comes to days out with the kids. A lot of top attractions run promotions in conjunction with newspapers and magazines, so spend a bit of time having a look to see if you can save there. Similarly, some attractions have the option of adding a free year pass to each purchase.
Look at subscriptions
When the weather’s good, you might find you’re not spending as much time indoors. As a result of this, the streaming services you’ve subscribed to may be going unwatched. Over the summer months consider postponing your subscriptions until the autumn when wet weather weekends return.