Summer is coming up fast and many of us are looking forward to soaking up every sunshine-filled second with friends and family. We’re definitely in favour of enjoying the season, but summer can get expensive fast and leave you with debt (and regret) that lingers well into the fall. It doesn’t need to be that way—here are our tips for making smart financial decisions while still having fun this summer. For personalized financial advice, please reach out to your local Interior Savings branch! We’d be pleased to hear from you and arrange a meeting with one of our expert advisors.
Take advantage of free local events
Summer is the perfect time to look into free or inexpensive local events. This may include concerts at a local park, summer festivals that are geared towards families, free workshops at your local library or community centre, outdoor fitness classes that are sponsored by your city or a local business, holiday parades, free admission days at your local art gallery or museum, long weekend celebrations and more. You can start with a quick Google search to find events in your area, but we also recommend following your city councillor on social media as they may share information about upcoming activities. You can also follow your local library, community centre, art gallery, museums and more to stay in the loop. Bonus idea: find out if your local library has annual passes for residents to borrow! You may be able to visit a local conservation area or museum for free by using a ‘loaner’ pass from a nearby branch. If you do this on a regular basis, you can enjoy tons of fun for free!
Share costs with your friends
Going out for drinks and apps on a patio can be pricey, but sharing a bottle of wine in a friend’s backyard is just as enjoyable for a fraction of the cost. Plan to gather with a few friends and plan to share the cost of food and drink. A few friends can bring homemade appetizers (they don’t need to be fancy!) while others can bring a bottle of wine or other beverages for sharing. You can also meet at a local park and bring snacks, non-alcoholic beverages, outdoor games and picnic blankets. The same ‘share the load’ approach can be applied to backyard BBQs, a movie night or watch party at home with friends, or an old-school potluck dinner. You can even plan a casual game of soccer, frisbee or baseball at a local park! The fun comes from being together, not the restaurant or bar you’re spending money at. Take the high cost items out of your weekend plans and have the kind of fun that doesn’t break the bank.
Make room in your budget for fun
Not everything can be done inexpensively or for free, and while it’s important to be selective about what you spend money on (and to set a limit to your spending), that doesn’t mean you have to stick with free concerts all summer long. Make room in your budget for extra entertainment by cutting back where you can or setting aside a small amount of money each week in preparation for a larger cost. If you plan for the price of concert tickets or a weekend away, you’ll be better equipped to enjoy these splurges without taking on debt. After all, summer is worth celebrating! If you prioritize, plan ahead and make smart choices, you’ll be ready to enjoy it without the financial hangover or guilt. Thanks for reading and have a great summer!