Don’t fall for these costly summer temptations

I’m throwing these tips to the top of your reading list because, left unchecked, summer spending can be nearly as high as it is for big holidays like Christmas, according to a study by LendEDU.

Here are a few money-guzzling summer temptations to watch out for:

The patio meetup bonanza

Drinks, dinner, apps, desserts; when the summer heat and beautiful patio lanterns are on, you’ll be tempted to order all the things. Stick to one or two drinks, split a few menu items to avoid individual orders, skip the dessert and appetizers, and take advantage of happy hour specials versus peak times. However, the huge money savings are fewer patio gatherings at cheaper places. Work these patio expenses into your budget.

Cramming too much into your calendar

Running groups, festivals, trips, book clubs, tennis lessons, car shows and camping. If your schedule is so packed that you’re already booking for mid-September, you might run into serious overspending — and possibly burnout. Every fun activity you have planned has a price — time and money. Add it all up to see what your jam-packed schedule is Real will cost you.

Need a solution quickly? Reduce plans. Cut them in half and focus on the ones that will actually fill your cup, and are also the most economical. Enjoy them to the fullest and work them into your budget. Whatever you do, try to avoid last-minute bookings for activities and travel.

Buying too many fresh seasonal products – and then letting them rot

Trust me, I’m tempted at the farmers’ market. It’s a sensory overload, and it also happens to be at the bottom of my street. The way to buy too much fresh produce? Stick to your weekly meal plan.

If you like good food, especially in the summer, try to include seasonal products in your meals and buy only what you need. Keep this in mind when traveling or going out; if so, buy less. Unfortunately, summer fresh food waste exceeds $100 per month for a family of four in Canada according to The National Food Waste Council and Second Harvest. That extra money could be put to better use.

Falling for the ‘I have nothing in my closet’ story

My closet is still a bit stuck in 2018 (pre-pregnancies and pre-pandemic). Slowly I alternate pieces for the current styles and trends per season. A helpful book to check out is Ines de la Fressange and Sophie Gachet’s “Parisian Chic: A Style Guide,” which encourages investing in a more sustainable, better-quality wardrobe; less fast fashion, and a focus on essential essentials for every season. I’ve followed the suggestions of reviewing what I already have, keeping the great bits, and then slowly adding the bits I’m missing. In addition, I sell and donate what is no longer fashionable.

Before you blow the doors to spend money at the mall, clean out your closet. Go piece by piece to see what you got. Organize it in a way that is easy for you to follow. Get rid of things that don’t fit, are broken, and anything uncomfortable. If you have a designer bag that you don’t use, sell it. Make a list of what you want to buy and focus on adding a few of those items, working those purchases into your budget. Taking your time with this process will help you compare.

Travel far beyond your means

It’s okay to take a vacation — in fact, you probably should. But be smart when planning your outing. Budget for flights, car rentals, gas, hotels, camping, meals, and entertainment. By planning in advance, you can use points to pay for some of these purchases, save a little each week, and take advantage of coupons and discounts. The “I’ll handle it when the credit card bill comes up” is a surefire way to get you deep into debt.

Another quick win to lower your holiday costs is to reduce the duration of the holiday. Avoid peak times like weekends, focus on a mix of free And paid activities, skip the junkie souvenirs, and pack as much of your own food and snacks as you can.

Go wild to entertain your kids

Camps, amusement parks, shopping and activities. Some families plan to spend hundreds (or thousands) to give their kids something to do this summer. Trust me, I’m a mom and I understand the importance of enriching experiences – but not at the expense of your family’s financial well-being. My advice is to focus on a few key activities that your kids really want to do. Then leave room for cheap to free entertainment like swimming, books, picnics, playing in the park and more. You will save money and you will all be more rested.

If you want to keep up that great summer vibe, make sure you don’t have to worry about money.

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