I wanted to share a few summer budget busters to keep an eye out for so you can stay on track meeting your financial goals, even through the heat!
Heyoooo! Only a few weeks left until school lets out, the temperatures start to sky-rocket, and the lazy days of summer are officially upon us!
Not only does summer mean relaxing and recharging between crazy school years, it can also be expensive if you’re not paying attention to what is going on an making plans to budget for all those random summer expenses!
Summer Budget Busters
Electricity
I don’t know where you live, but in Houston our electric bills skyrocket in the summer. I was in for a rude awakening last summer when we got our first big one and I nearly choked on my coffee.
We turn our thermostat up a couple of degrees, use oscillating fans to keep us cool, and keep our blinds and shades closed for the most of the day to keep our house cool.
Food
This one is especially for you if you have kids at home. How is it that they eat so much and so often?? Gah!
You probably should plan to adjust your food budget up during the summer months! It is better to have too much budgeted in that area than run out before the month is over.
Plan ahead by having meals that are quick and easy to make (lessening the temptation to eat out), easy to transport, portioned out, and filling.
Pool/Water Fun
Don’t forget to budget in any fees or dues that are required for your HOA pool or swimming area if necessary.
Sunscreen and bug spray needs to be replaced every year, so add in a little extra cash for that next time you go to the grocery store!
Hit up your favorite dollar store for cheap pool toys that you can take to the neighborhood pool. No love lost when those toys end up missing or broken!
We keep a cooler bag packed and ready to go with drinks, cheese sticks, crackers, chips, dips, and fruit so that we can take snacks with us to the pool and avoid the expensive machines. Plus, its healthier!
Sports
Go through all of your sports equipment and weed out anything that has been outgrown or not used. Asses what you have left and make a plan to replace or add to your collection.
Those registration fees will add up fast. Just stay ahead of it by paying them on time and remembering to account for them in your monthly budget meetings!
Don’t forget to think about socks, shoes, gloves, rackets, mitts, sport’s bras, team jerseys, softball pants, helmets… this list is literally endless. Just in case you forget something, it may be helpful to have a little extra cash set aside as the “whoops we forgot it” sports emergency fund!
Don’t let game night hunger sneak up on you! It might be a little extra work, but having dinner ready to go as soon as you get home or even with you at the ball field will save you a ton in eating out or grabbing nachos at the concession stand.
Mmmmmm…. nachosssss….
Where was I?
Oh yes – budget busters. What are some things that you find yourself spending more than you thought you would for in the summer time? Leave me a comment below – I’m always looking for ways to save and know that YOU have some great ideas!
