If you’re on a limited budget, you may think you can’t afford a summer vacation. That’s not true, though, and you can have a great time while saving some money if you plan your trips and vacations just right. Here are five ways to save money while still enjoying your summer.
Plan smaller trips
So maybe Paris for a month isn’t doable, but the beach for the weekend can be done. Plan day trips and weekend trips, instead of extravagant vacations. You can do lots of things in one month and not break the bank. Go to the beach, hiking with friends, or simply take a drive and explore the scenery. Whatever you choose, make it fun and carefree so that you can actually relax a bit this summer.
Save on electricity
One way to save money for trips is to save money on your bills, starting with utilities. When you’re not in the house, turn the air conditioner off. If you can work with no lights or limited lights, do so. Whatever you can do, do it to bring those bills down and pocket that extra cash for your trips.
Eat at home
Sit down and look at your online banking. Go through each fast food, convenience store purchase, and restaurant splurge. Don’t faint! You can reverse that spending now! Instead of eating out for the month of May, save that money and put it toward a trip in June. Imagine what you can do with all that extra cash.
Get a second job
This may seem counter-productive to taking a vacation, but many places are hiring for summer help right now. Take a job as a waitress or a store clerk for a few extra hours a week and save all that money. Do it for eight weeks and quit- go on a short trip and enjoy not working two jobs when you come back home.
Don’t go further than 100 miles
Do you know what’s around you within a 100 mile radius? If not, look! You can find some pretty amazing things nearby and within a reasonable driving range. Head North one weekend, South another, then hit East and West two more weekends in a row and have a full month of short trips that show you just how amazing your local atmosphere can be.
What can you do to save money this summer? Leave a comment with your favorite tip!
I love the idea of doing things in a 100 mile radius – even if you aren’t on a budget, that’s a great way to experience things you might not even think about!
I am home all day, but even if I weren’t, turning the A/C off just isn’t an option!
Great tips!
I like the 100 mile radius tip, I’m sure there has to be a ton of great things to do in my area!
Oh boy, we really need to work on the eating at home one. I always have good intentions, but then dinner rolls around and I am so tired I don’t feel like cooking.
Love the 100 mile radius tip! We’re in the middle of the desert so there’s nothing beyond the city, BUT my city is PACKED with stuff to do {I live in Vegas} so I’m lucky, but the town is crawling with tourists during the summer so we tend to avoid most of the actual attractions. Still a great tip!
Great tips. With children, we try our best to save any and everywhere possible.
Great tips! We like to do smaller trips.
That 100 mile radius thing is awesome! There are a ton of things to do in my area that we have never tried because we always opt for things that are further away.
Love your 100 miles tip! We’ve learned there’s tons to do around us that’s within driving distance.
We do staycations and go to places around here!