Summer is officially here! The heat and excitement of summer beckons the opening of restaurant patios and seasonal festivals, as well as the debut of summer fashions. All of which entices and lures consumers to spend their hard earned money without the bat of an eye.
Here are 10 ways to save money that will help you avoid falling into debt.
1. Bottle your own water. Instead of buying bottled water every day to keep you hydrated, bottle your water in a thermos and keep it with you throughout the day. If you avoid buying a bottle of water each day at $1.50/bottle, you’ll save up to $45 each month.
2. Brown bag your lunch. If you bring your lunch to work each day, you‘ll save $5-$10/day, which would equate to $100 – $200 a month!
3. Bulk up on food that is in season. Indulge in the fruits and vegetables summer has to offer. Berries, leaf vegetables and melons are inexpensive this time of year. Purchase them in bulk and freeze them to last you over the winter months.
4. Cut back or cancel cable or internet-based television. Take advantage of the summer weather and get out of the house! Local festivals, provincial park trails, local swimming pools, camp grounds and outside theatres offer more entertainment than a reality show does!
5. Shop with a list. We are all guilty of impulsive purchasing. Research has shown that people who make a list usually stay within their budget. Try it and see how much you will save every month.
6. Try homemade household cleaners. More and more “Green” products are available these days, so why not make your own? You can do this with a little vinegar, baking soda and water.
7. Grow your own food. Summer is the season for building a garden. If you have never done this before, start with a simple garden. Easy to grow and maintain fruits and vegetables are strawberries, peppers, beans, lettuce, carrots and potatoes. Pumpkins and squash are also great options to grow into the fall season.
8. Cut down your water bill. Water early in the morning or late in the evening rather than in the afternoon. The water you spray on your lawn evaporates much more quickly midday, and in turn, you’ll need more water to get the job done.
9. Enjoy patio parties. If you like to entertain or spend time outdoors, chances are you’ll want to purchase some patio furniture. Buy your patio furniture late in the season or near a major entertaining holiday like Canada day to get a price break. Buy durable, low-maintenance items because patio furniture is subjected to the elements and tends to fade, crack and break.
10. Cut your Energy bills. Consider limiting your AC use to the time of day when you need it most. Some people like to be cooler while they sleep; others may need the air more during the day while doing household chores like cooking and cleaning. When you’re doing something that involves sitting still, like watching TV, turn on a fan rather than AC. When you leave the house, turn the AC off. When you have the AC on, close doors to areas like closets and bathrooms that don’t have vents and don’t need to be cooled. Make sure the air filters in your air conditioning unit are clean – dirty ones will make your system work harder than it needs to, costing you money.
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