It’s summertime, and the living is…expensive!
That’s right; even though summer is supposed to be carefree and simple, it sure can rack up your credit card bill. The laziest yet most enjoyable season (in my opinion) can quickly turn stressful and leave you wishing for September when the kids are back in school, and the dollars stay in your wallet.
As a kid, I would spend my days outside playing with neighborhood friends in my backyard and riding my bike until the streetlights came on. I never even went to summer camp because I was more content staying home. Let’s face it: back then, camp wasn’t as big of a commodity as it is now, and it didn’t seem as fun as getting up and seeing your friends all day in the comfort of your neighborhood.
Unfortunately, that won’t fly nowadays. Kids look forward to summer camp; we’re not just talking pools and waterslides. They are interested in going to camps with endless activities such as sports, water activities, and even zip-lining! All of which is going to cost a pretty penny.
Some families forego camp altogether and plan vacations. Whether planning a first-time trip or returning to your favorite resort or vacation destination, this can add up. Considering your travel method can help you understand how much you will spend on fun in the sun.
As much as we’d like to wing it, financial planning is a must.
For instance, flying anywhere isn’t cheap, and the smart thing to do is take your time and scout airlines, making sure you’re on one of the cheapest flights you can find. The problem with this is it can be very time-consuming, but it’s well worth it if you’re lucky enough to score a good deal!
The money you save on a flight can go towards food, and if you’re not staying in an all-inclusive resort, you’ll need every little bit to survive the length of your stay. One of the most foolish things one can do is not do their research and stay at a non-inclusive resort. It is robbery – imagine shelling out money for every drink, meal, and snack when you can enjoy your vacation and not worry about how much you eat and drink. That’s the best part of going away – the food and sights!
Conversely, saving money by driving to your destination instead of flying is a wise choice. However, be mindful of gas because these days, finding cheap gas is almost as common as seeing a unicorn cross the street.
SUVs and other large vehicles will drain your bank account and make you wish you went with a Mini Cooper instead of a minivan. Although the cost of gas is hard to negotiate, you can do your best to limit stops along your drive. Sure, rest stops are much more attractive, with options like Starbucks and even Chinese food! However, multiply that short pit stop by five, and you’ll see how it can drain your tank and have you question where your gas has gone so fast.
The best course of action is creating an itinerary and a budget to ensure you don’t exceed your limit.
Seaside towns along the Jersey Shore, for example, require you to have cash on you at all times for the most part. Parking for the boardwalk will cost you a fortune, especially if your rental house or hotel is far away. You can be spending money on parking nightly, not including the games your kiddos will be begging you to play (sometimes six times in a row to win a giant stuffed animal you’ll carry all night). The pier is littered with all kinds of fun rides that require tickets, and to get those tickets, you guessed it, you have to spend money.
This is where the need for the itinerary comes in. By breaking up the activities, you can budget and map out your day and night on the boardwalk. Instead of doing all the rides and games in one night, maybe do five rides and play three games. Then, move on to dinner and decide if you’ll be dining at an eat-in restaurant or grabbing a slice of pizza while people-watching and walking the pier.
The beach is always a summer go-to and is a great idea for a day trip. However, even a day at the beach can have you stopping by your local ATM long before your feet touch the sand. Rarely will you find free parking at a public beach. Nowadays, they’ve installed multiple pay stations. Don’t feel like walking across the parking lot to pay; you can pay with an app. The convenience of municipalities getting your money can leave you feeling overwhelmed.
It doesn’t end there, either. As you enter the pretty landscape, you’ll likely notice a big wooden sign that says, “Pay Here.” Admission fees are required for some fun in the sun.
Be smart and bring your own food and drinks, but be discreet! Unfortunately, some beaches forbid you from bringing your own (especially alcoholic beverages). You won’t frequently encounter this rule at too many beaches, but there are a few. Who doesn’t want an ice cream cone or icy bottle of water while enduring the summer heat?
It’s no secret that summer will require us to spend a few bucks to make the most out of this beautiful but short-lived season; there are still free ways to enjoy the warm weather, which include walks around your neighborhood, going over to a friend or family members house and using their pool, keeping an eye out for free summer concerts and movies in the park, grabbing a bench and watching the sunset and just laying in the fresh cut grass watching the clouds roll by.
