Whether you want to admit it or not, the summer sunshine is winding down faster than ever as the end of July approaches. Summer months tend to leave parents with little room left in both their calendars and their wallets. This is why with the final month of the season almost here, there is no better time than the present to start looking for ways you can save time and money. Listed below are a few practical tips you can utilize to make more room in your planner and increase the money in your bank account.
Monitor Your AC
As tempting as it is to crank up the cool air on a hot day at home, monitoring how cold you keep your house along with how often you have the AC running is crucial to saving money in the summer months. If you’ve been a bit more lax with how often you have your AC on and at what intensity you keep the air running, try to make some small changes to save some extra cash. From simply turning up the temperature by 2 or 3 degrees higher than usual, to always making sure to have the AC off when you’re not at home, these alterations are sure to help with your utility bills.
Say No
Summer vacation offers a significant amount of free time for many parents to spend time with friends and family and enjoy outdoor activities, however, not every family can do it all. If you’re finding that your moments to relax have become few and far between, or that you simply can’t afford to eat out another night this week, be sure to embrace the beauty of saying no. Declining plans that you don’t have the money or the time for doesn’t mean you’re a bad family member or friend, it just means that sometimes you’re not capable of being everywhere at once.
Thrift More
Shopping the sales on summer looks and back to school clothes is a very tempting pastime for families and parents alike. Though you can always take advantage of great sales to save money, an even better way to enact smart shopping is by utilizing local and online thrift stores. You’d be surprised by the amount of shorts, dresses, and sunglasses you can browse for less by simply choosing used. Online thrifting sites like thredUP even offer well-known brands with comfortable and affordable styles from names like Lularoe. Thrifting will save you money on items that range anywhere from sandals to salad bowls that will turn out to be the perfect price for you.
Make A List
While list making might be something that is already part of your daily routine, it’s a crucial part of time management that should never be overlooked, especially during busy seasons. From taking your kids to baseball practice to grocery shopping and party planning, lists help to clear and focus the mind when you might feel overwhelmed. If you’ve found that you usually stick to your memory when you have tasks to complete, try to make listing out your errands a habit, as this will save you a lot of time in the long run.
Utilize The Library
Most local libraries offer free classes and events that are great for families and kids year round. Be sure to check the schedule of your local library to see if there is anything going on that your children might enjoy. Utilizing the library is the perfect way to get summer reading books for free, as well as fun movies for your whole family to enjoy. Sign up for their newsletter and make a day out of going with your kids to get their first library cards. This process will be a fun and free bonding experience with your little ones!
Set Reminders
Last but not least, a perfect tip to save on time is to always be sure to set reminders for yourself. Most families and parents have a significant amount of things happening for them in the summer, making it easy to forget an upcoming game or even a business meeting. Use the technology you have to its full advantage by setting calendar reminders for yourself to be sure you don’t miss a thing. You might even find that in between your alarms you have some extra free time to yourself!
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