Keeping Your Family Out of Debt Over the Summer

Summertime can be a great time for making memories, with plenty of opportunities for barbeques, shopping trips, and family vacations. Of course, as the memories add up, the bill can, too. And with so many families experiencing financial troubles already, the last thing they need is an expensive summer to help rack up the credit card debt.



So how can you maximize summer fun but minimize the bill? Read on for a few tips on keeping your summer budget friendly.



Drive or fly?



This depends on your destination, of course, but if you can, opt for the road instead of the air. Sure, gas prices are high, but chances are, you’ll still be able to get there for less than it would cost to buy plane tickets for your whole family. Do a little planning to determine which travel method is right for you. Be sure to factor in things like hotel stops along the way (if you’re driving) or baggage fees (if you’re flying). Either way, things will add up fast, but chances are, one method will be the clear winner.



Take food along.



Whether you are going on a day-long road trip or to the mall for a few hours, make sure you bring snacks from home to help keep things cheap. Things like granola bars, sandwiches, fresh fruit, and water bottles are budget-friendly options that will keep you away from expensive fast food.



Research free activities



Lots of kids like to get away to some kind of summer camp for the warm months. If this isn’t in your financial cards this year, keep your kids entertained by looking up local activities that are very cheap or free. Use museums, libraries, and parks to get out of the house as often as you can. Kids also enjoy public pools, which are usually very inexpensive as well. If your child has a very specific interest, such as art or volleyball, consider setting up your own "camp" at home. Let them help you plan your activities, and spend a little time each day with them doing something they love.



Staycation



If you’d like to have the feeling of a getaway, but just can’t afford it, consider going on a "staycation." Have a campout in your living room or backyard (or that of a friend or relative). If you have daughters, you could turn this into a "resort" stay as well, complete with "spa" treatments (painting each other’s nails, giving facials, and exchanging massages). If you have a little money to spend, you could stay in a nice hotel in a nearby city. Most hotels have a pool you can take advantage of as a guest; choose one with a waterslide to score extra points with the kids!



Keep personal purchases to a minimum



Resist the urge to buy new swim suits for everyone; get your "summer read" at the library instead of the bookstore; hold off on those new pool toys until you can really afford them. Think about your priorities and financial goals before you buy all the things you think are necessary for the summer. Chances are, you can live without a lot of them!



Party smart



Summer usually means barbeques with friends and family, but feeding an army of people gets expensive! Ask people to contribute to the menu, and don’t forget making assignments for things like paper plates and cups. Also, consider alternatives to alcoholic drinks; alcohol is expensive, and your guests will be just as refreshed by lemonade or soda.



Stick to your budget



The important thing to remember with all of these tips is that they need to support whatever budget you have in place for your household. As mentioned before, many families find themselves pretty deep in debt; if you have a plan in place to get you out of debt, don’t let a summer splurge ruin the hard work you’ve already put into it! Consider sitting down and specifying a summer budget that will help you outline exactly how much you can spend on your summer activities, and make sure you stick to it!



With some planning and creativity, you can have a summer that is both fun and budget friendly!