3 Ways to Save Money This Summer

For many of us, summertime heralds a time of travel, spending time outdoors, throwing BBQs, and just having more fun in general. However, many of these fun activities can do a number on your bank account. To avoid the common pitfalls that have many of us spending too much money during the warmest time of year, your bankruptcy attorneys in Fort Myers have compiled a list of tips and tricks that can help you save money, while still having fun. The advice given below can be used throughout the year but will work exceptionally well during the summer months.

If you are currently struggling with your finances and are looking for a way to start fresh, contact the law office of Miller, Hollander & Jeda today. Our experienced Fort Myers bankruptcy attorneys can provide you with an overview of your options and expert advice on what your next steps should be.

Create A Summer Savings Plan & Budget

Summer falls in the middle of the year, which makes it a great time to review your yearly budget and create new goals and limits for the summer. If you have yet to make an annual budget, consider scheduling an appointment with a financial advisor or using a budgeting app, like these featured money budgeting apps. Once you’ve assessed your year-to-date spending habits and overall budget, you can set a budget for summer and even for the rest of the year if you wish. One of the primary reasons that people file bankruptcy with a bankruptcy attorney in Fort Myers is simply because they are spending more than they are bringing in by either failing to make or stick to a budget. Makingmomentum.com suggests in addition to creating a summer budget, make a separate summer savings/vacation account, that way you can, “always know exactly how your summer vacation/entertainment budget is standing.”

Saving Money At Home

There are numerous tried and true hacks that have been used by money experts and financial advisors to cut costs during the summer months. Many of these are incredibly simple to implement, and though the savings may seem small at first, these tips can end up saving you quite a bit of money in the long run. Some simple changes you can make are:

• Use Your AC Efficiently – Stay cool and save money by turning your air conditioner off when you’re not home, as well as only using the AC as needed. Thebalance.com gives the example of not running your AC during cooler nights but instead opening a few windows. Additionally, closing your curtains during the day and replacing your air conditioning filters is a cheap way to increase airflow and efficiency.
• Cook Outside – Using the oven during the summer creates a lot of unnecessary heat in your house that your AC has to work harder to cool down. Enjoy bbq season by doing just that as much as you can.
• Skip The Dishwasher & Dryer – Summer means there is less chance of rain or cold weather which can make drying clothes out on a line a hassle. Try hanging your clothes outside instead of using the dryer. Similarly, it takes energy and water to run a dishwasher, so try handwashing for smaller loads of dishes or waiting until you have a full load to run your dishwasher.
• Meal Planning – Meal planning is all the rage right now and for a good reason. Not only does this hack allow you to control what food you’re eating, but it also allows you to control how much you’re spending on groceries. You can find some useful meal planning tips here.

Saving Money On Vacations

Saving money doesn’t mean that you have to stay home all summer; it just means that you need to find cheaper ways to visit the places you want to. Some tips to make vacationing less of a money pit, include:

• Sign Up For Price Alerts – If you’re dreaming of spending your summer soaking up the sun on white sandy beaches, sign up for price alerts for when airfare or travel accommodations cost drops.
• Budget Accommodations – Staying at an Airbnb instead of a hotel can help you save a ton of money when you travel since they are usually cheaper and buying your own food is less expensive than eating out.
• Research Travel Hacks To Save Money – Research travel hacks before buying tickets to anywhere in the world; there’s no reason to pay full price for a vacation anymore. The internet is filled with expert advice on how to travel well for less.

If you would like additional information on how to manage your money in order to avoid filing bankruptcy with a Fort Myers bankruptcy attorney, contact the law offices of Miller, Hollander & Jeda today. We will help you get back on your feet and back on the road to financial stability.