I live in Chicago...and if you've ever been here in the summer months, you already know it pops. Some of you come for weekends (Memorial Day, July 4th) and do some major damage to your bank account...just think about what must happen to those of us who live here!
I realized that it is obviously easier to stick to a budget (spend less and save more) during the winter months because obviously you stay in more. So what types of precautions should we all be taking this summer to make sure we don't go overboard on the pocket book. I have a few suggestions.
1) Budget your time. In the summer, budgeting your time is just as important as budgeting your money. The more time you spend out, the more money you tend to spend...so give yourself a limited amount of "going out" hours per week. For me, I've budgeted two nights out per week and only two weekend days of "all day drinking" per month. Free activities do not count. :-) But if I'm going to a friend's house for a bbq/to watch sports and I have to bring something, that counts...technically it isn't free.
2) Find free stuff to do! I know, you're saying: "Duh Speedy". Look for free things to do in your city: festivals, fireworks, etc. SummerDance in Chicago is one of those great options!
Believe me, I know...this one is a little more hard to do, but you have to get creative. I haven't mastered this one yet...everything at least costs some kind of money, even if a small amount...but I'm working on it. As I come up with new options, I will surely let you all know!
3) Spend more time volunteering. And maybe even invite your friends! I definitely encourage volunteering year round...but even more so in the summer. Oftentimes having fun in the summer is just about being out and about with people you enjoy. Volunteering is almost always free and if you do it with friends, it'll feel like you're having a fun day out with the homies. Trick yourself!
4) Get on the bus. A lot of my friends are "too good for the bus." I don't know why?! Instead of hopping into a cab or your car to go places, GET ON THE BUS! This is especially helpful for me because I already pay (pre-tax) $86 a month for my unlimited bus pass to get to and from work in Downtown Chicago. Therefore, using my bus pass in the evenings or on weekends is no incremental cost to me! With gas prices as high as they are...people are really sleeping on this.
4a) Park Smart. This is #4 part 2 because it still involves the bus...lol. If you're going downtown but don't want to ride the bus back to your hood late at night...drive to a more central neighborhood and park in a free spot. Then hop on the bus or walk to your destination from there. Or find yourself a good deal parking lot downtown, one that let's you park all day at a low rate, or has a low rate after 4pm...drive in, leave your car there, and let the Loop be your Oyster. And put your friends on so they can save money too!
5) Carpool. By the same token, car pooling is another great option (and comes more naturally to a lot of us car booties while gas is so dang on high). Get a buddy you hang out with all the time and maybe live close to...and trade off on driving places. Now this doesn't mean have him/her drive all the dang on time...it should be of equal benefit for both of you. Sometimes when you're out late and the bus isn't a safe option...this is a close second. Stop tryna stunt, and ride shotgun.
6) Research deals. Don't be too proud ot pull out a coupon! My co-worker and I just went for ice cream yesterday with a buy one get one free cone coupon at Baskin Robbins. We each paid $1 and had a nice little afternoon ice cream date! Ha! Today, you can get a deal just by checking in on FourSquare. Use it. All of it. Every dollar counts.
7) Turn off your Internet. Now this might sound crazy to some of you but hear me out. When I moved into my new apartment last summer, I went without Internet at home from May 2011 - November 2011. Not only did I save money on my cable bill, but I also didn't really miss it! Because I was out and about so much, I never really had time to just sit on the computer. Additionally, I have an iPhone, which allowed me to check my email and search for things on the web just fine. And if there was anything my iPhone couldn't handle (and wasn't too personal), I just conquered it during my lunch on my work computer.
8) Get a flask. Simply stated...you save on drinks (and you probably start having fun a lot more faster than everyone else). lol.
Some of these may be easy for you and some may be hard. The point is not to conquer everything on this list (if you do awesomeness), but even just doing 2 or 3 things may keep you from trying to play catch up this fall and keep you out of your savings!
Happy Summer!
If you have more savvy ways to save money during the summer, post them below! We'd love to hear your thoughts.
