I don't know if you guys noticed it, but it's starting to get freaking hot outside (at least in Texas…sorry Canadian readers and my surprisingly large following in the Czech Republic). Summer is definitely coming, and I think I can speak for a lot of my people when I say we aren't ready.
Right after the struggle to get in better shape, there's also the crappy reality that summer seems to cost a lot. You're outside, you're parting, whatever. It's fun, but if you aren't careful your bank account might have tumbleweeds rolling around in it by September.
My wife and I were sitting down the other day doing some money planning, and we decided that we want to cut back even MORE than we already do and basically double our savings account. We survived a pretty expensive year so far, but we think we can really max our cheapness out for the rest of the year.
It got me thinking – what are some sneaky ways to save money in the next couple of months without cutting back on the fun?
5 awesome ways to save money this summer:
Prepay your vacations
We actually paid for our big summer vacation months ago. We'll be in Jamaica for about a week coming up shortly, but we don't have to worry about where the money is coming from and no credit card debt is involved.
My wife and I save up money over the year, and then prepay for our annual “big” vacation and essentially write a check. It gives us something cool to look forward to all year, and it's already budgeted for. We like all-inclusive resorts, but even if you are more of a DIY vacationer you can set up a separate savings account and pay for your vacation expenses out of that!
Cut back on beer (and buy more liquor)
My former band students are probably picking their jaw up off the floor, but yes. I enjoy a fine beverage from time to time. I'm 27. It's ok kids.
A good friend of mine used to own liquor stores, and he basically blew my mind when he told me that liquor is a FAR better drinking investment (is investment too strong?) than beer. It costs much less per drink if you stick to reasonable brands. I doubt any of us know how to drink premium liquor anyways so it's all good. Bottoms up debt-destroyers.
Learn how to Pinterest
I'm so so so sorry guy readers, but this is a legit money-saving tip. Even though Pinterest is completely out of my wheelhouse and my wife manages our page…I have taken notice that it's 1000% [email protected]$$. There are a ton of food hacks that you can use to save money when you do a summer party with your friends. Here is my favorite one below:
Click for the recipe!
Just trust me. Those ^^^ are ridiculously good and super cheap.
Find the cheap friends
We all have the friends that like to splurge. Maybe you ARE that friend and don't realize it. If you are those people, try to be aware that your friends don't want to sling cash all over the place all the time. Learn how to be cheap and a good friend.
If your “rich” friends insist on spending too much this summer, make some time for your cheaper friends that have similar financial goals as you. There's nothing wrong with getting together and not spending $50 for a restaurant meal. If the rich people want to hang they'll have to adapt.
Netflix (and chill)?
Maybe not on the second part, but opt for Netflix instead of the movie theatre this summer. On a side note – has anyone else noticed that movies at a theatre cost $40-50 bucks now?!
I'm sure you can find those movies bootlegged *GASP* on the internet somewhere if you are desperate enough (<<it's illegal though so Godspeed homie).
If you haven't seen these yet, get Netflix and start them this month. I'll see you NEXT summer after you finish binge watching them:
- Breaking Bad
- How to Get Away With Murder
- Orange Is The New Black
- House of Cards
- Bloodline
- Rectify
- Marco Polo
You're welcome.
Share your summer money hacks with the rest of the class.
Live differently. Your bank accounts will thank me later. ~M$M
The Green Swan says
May 16, 2016 at 7:59 amWe have a little one (2 year old) so we will be spending a lot of our summer at the neighborhood pool, the park, riding bikes, and grilling out with our neighbors up the street who also have a little one. Nothing too expensive for us this summer, but always plenty of fun!
Millennial Money Man says
May 16, 2016 at 9:30 amThat’s awesome – one of our favorite things to do is go for bike rides when it starts to get warmer! I can imagine hanging in the neighborhood is a great way to save $$$ when you have kids.
FinanceSuperhero says
May 17, 2016 at 9:51 amGreat advice all around. Merging these ideas into one awesome day sounds like a plan which will be making its way onto the FinanceSuperhero household calendar in June!
Millennial Money Man says
May 17, 2016 at 9:59 amHa thanks! Had fun with this one. 🙂
Stefan Sharpe says
May 17, 2016 at 10:23 amEnjoy that trip in Jamaica I have been there several times and it is beautiful! Make sure to get a Jamaican beef patty they are out of this world. Like yourself I actually plan on setting aside money for one big trip, maybe two as I have to see my parents sometime (I am from the Caribbean), in an account to make life fun. No point saving up all this money if you don’t enjoy the moment as well.
PS. Watched breaking bad twice in one summer… Had some time on my hands as you can tell haha.
Millennial Money Man says
May 17, 2016 at 10:55 amDude we are soooooo excited about Jamaica! We went to the Bahamas last year for our honeymoon and fell in love with the island vacation. We never went anywhere because I was paying off debt and saving, so now we are planning on doing a good vacation every year since we aren’t broke anymore 🙂 Just FYI – Coral keeps trying to convince me to watch Breaking Bad AGAIN. Can’t do it…don’t want to get sucked back in.
Amanda @ centsiblyrich says
May 18, 2016 at 2:59 pmHave a great time in Jamaica! My parents went last year (all inclusive) and loved it.
We are headed to FL soon – Disney, Key West and Key Largo. We travel hacked part of the trip, getting free airfare for the four of us and 5 free hotel nights, but the rest is on us. We DIY when we can to save – we will buy a styrofoam cooler and hit the grocery store for breakfast, snacks, drinks, and maybe we’ll use that awesome Pinterest food hack you mentioned for some cheap lunches!
Thanks for the movie suggestions – we’ll check those out!
Millennial Money Man says
May 18, 2016 at 3:47 pmYou HAVE to try that roll food hack recipe. It was one of the best snack/lunch ideas I’ve ever seen! We’re doing a Sandals resort, went for our honeymoon last year and LOVED IT.
Francesca - From Pennies to Pounds says
May 18, 2016 at 5:43 pmFirst off, I LOVE that chair in that photo. I’m pretty sure if my daughter saw it she would want it immediately.
So jealous that you’re going to Jamaica, my mum went recently and she loved it.
Have you watched The Walking Dead?? I don’t know if it’s on Netflix…but it’s definitely got to be on a ‘to watch’ list! (Huge fan!)
Millennial Money Man says
May 18, 2016 at 6:10 pmHaha no I haven’t watched it! I don’t think my wife would be into zombie shows 🙂 Jamaica is going to be sweet!!!!!
Francesca - From Pennies to Pounds says
May 20, 2016 at 4:35 pmYou HAVE to watch it, it’s the best. Seriously…I refuse to watch horror movies and even if we are flicking through the channels and a horror film comes on I yell at my husband to turn it off immediately…haha…but the Walking Dead is the only thing I would watch like that. It’s the story lines that are amazing – I close my eyes at the gory bits!
Millennial Money Man says
May 20, 2016 at 6:01 pmAlright I’ll try to convince her! (Wish me luck)
Kalie @ Pretend to Be Poor says
May 19, 2016 at 8:35 pmWe camp a lot for our vacations and do cheap stuff like biking, campfires in the backyard, and fishing. We also find free or inexpensive ways to swim with the kids instead of getting a pool pass. There are some free wading pools, free community pool events, and inexpensive metro park lakes we’ve found.
Millennial Money Man says
May 19, 2016 at 8:40 pmNice! I’d love to go camping, but that’s one of Coral’s (@genymoneygal) LEAST favorite things to do!
Steven McMillian says
Aug 17, 2016 at 9:27 pmI do like the Pinterest tip. I’ve never thought of that one much. I’m still learning how to use Pinterest. LOL.
There are a couple of other ways to save money this summer. Look for free events in your local area. Some areas might have free festivals you can attend. I usually go to Youtube.com to watch entertaining videos (and it’s technically free because I already pay monthly for the Internet service).
Great post. I look forward to reading more of your blog posts.
Sincerely,
Steven McMillian aka Millennial Dude
Kathy says
Sep 10, 2016 at 2:26 amWow, I just found your blog and I love it! We don’t pay for cable or Netflix. Instead, we check out movies from our local library. Really helps our travel fund! Currently in the process of paying ahead for an all-inclusive stay at a yoga resort on the coast in Mexico.
Millennial Money Man says
Sep 10, 2016 at 9:37 amA yoga resort? That is legitimately the first time I’ve ever heard of that haha. Sounds awesome – thanks for reading! 🙂