5 Awesome Ways to Save Money This Summer

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

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Posted in: Tips And Hacks

About Millennial Money Man

Bobby Hoyt is a former band director who paid off $40,000 of student loan debt in 18 months on his teaching salary and then left his job to run Millennial Money Man full-time. He helps other Millennials earn more through side hustles, save more through budgeting tools and apps, and pay off debt. He is a personal finance expert who has been seen on Forbes, Reuters, MarketWatch, CNBC, International Business Times, Business Insider, US News, Yahoo Finance, and many other personal finance and entrepreneurship media outlets.

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