As summer approaches, many families are thinking about planning activities and vacations, or all the purchases they need to make before the new school year. If your family is struggling financially or simply trying to stick to a budget, it can feel like you have no choice but to miss out on all the fun.
No matter what type of situation you're in, there's no reason to sacrifice fun even when you're trying to save money. Sticking to your budget often means finding creative ways to enjoy each other's company and looking for the best deals when it comes to shopping. Keep reading to find out some of our best tips for saving money without giving up all the fun.
You Don't Have to Sacrifice Fun to Save Money
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For many parents, it feels difficult to navigate school breaks, shopping, and activities without a lot of room in the budget. When your child tells you about their friend's trip to Europe or the brand new phone their classmate got, it can make you feel inadequate when you can't provide your child with the things they want, even if you know they don't really need them to feel loved.
Thankfully, there are many ways to create fun memories and build genuine connections without having to blow your entire savings. If you want to save money this summer without sacrificing all the memorable times with your family, try these simple tips.
Prioritize Free or Low-Cost Activities
There are many activities you can enjoy as a family without having to spend a ton of money. If you're looking for free or low-cost events, start with online magazines or parenting blogs in your local area.
If you want to visit a museum or other similar attraction, check the calendar at facilities near you. Some museums offer free admission on certain days. You can also look for free events like concerts at parks near you or outdoor movies, which many communities put on during the summer.
If you're looking for more general things you can do at any time during the summer, here are some free and low-cost ideas:
- Take a trip to the library
- Go on a picnic
- Spend the day at the park
- Take a trip to the beach
- Go on a nature hike
- Plan a family movie night
- Play board games or video games together
Creating core memories with your children isn't about how much money you spend. Spending the day at a nature park, going on a hike, and having a picnic afterwards can be an exciting family outing that your kids will remember forever, and aside from the gas it takes to get there, the only other cost may be your lunch (which you can pack at home!)
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Bake Treats at Home
On those warm spring or summer days, there's no doubt your kids will ask for ice cream at some point. Going out for ice cream (or even running outside when you hear the ice cream truck) is exciting for kids, but the cost of it can also add up. Depending on where you go and the number of kids you have, a simple ice cream trip can cost anywhere from $20 to $50. Speciality shops may cost even more, and you can get closer to spending $100 on ice cream or milkshakes if you have a larger family.
If there's room in the budget for that kind of trip, it can be fun, but you can also save money by making your own treats at home. Here are some recipe ideas that kids can help with:
When your kids are craving ice cream during the warm summer months, you can also make your own at home as a way to save money. The KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment makes homemade ice cream simple with just a few ingredients. If you don't have a KitchenAid, you can make it both a treat and a fun STEM activity by making ice cream in a bag.
Plan a Staycation During the School Break
If you want to get out of your normal routine but don't have room in your budget for a luxury vacation, a staycation can be just as memorable for your family. There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to planning your staycation, and what you choose depends on the preferences of your family.
It could be as simple as planning something a little different at home or planning vacation-like activities at local places around town. For example, you could plan a camping night in your backyard. Instead of heading to a campground and having to pack up the entire car, you can have everything you need available right in your home.
Some other fun staycation ideas include:
- Pretending to be a tourist for a day in your own city or town
- Visiting a local museum, aquarium, or zoo (or all three!)
- Planning a movie marathon night at home, complete with movie snacks, blankets, and string lighting
- Find a local park, nature preserve, beach, or other outdoor area to explore
- Learn a new skill together that you don't normally have time for, such as planting a garden or learning to crochet
If you want to do something a little bit more extravagant than planning activities at home, consider staying at a hotel or Airbnb in your local area. If you have rewards points, you can sometimes use those to cover a night or two in a hotel. Additionally, staying somewhere local can save you money on gas and other transportation costs.
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Shop Your Local Thrift or Consignment Stores
Shopping for your kids can be a lot of fun, but when you're trying not to spend too much money, even a trip to Target can get pricey. One of the best ways to save money as a family is to shop secondhand. Thrift stores and consignment stores often have a variety of clothing for the whole family. You can even find toys and activities (some that haven't even been opened) at thrift stores.
The best part about shopping secondhand is that kids don't mind whether the clothes and toys are new or not. It's also a great way to practice sustainability as a family and can be a great way to start a conversation with your kids about caring for the environment.
Plan for Holidays Ahead of Time
Birthdays, Christmas, and other holidays are a pretty big expense for many families. While it's not always feasible to shop for your kids' Christmas or birthday gifts months in advance (especially because their interests can change every other week), taking advantage of sales when they happen can make a huge difference in your budget.
Discuss Budgeting With Your Kids
No matter what reason you have for saving money, you might wonder how to approach this topic with your kids. Younger children, especially, can have a difficult time understanding how money and budgets work, and might become frustrated when you say no to certain purchases or activities.
You don't have to go into all the details of your financial situation or budget to have a conversation with the family about what it looks like to save money. It's more important to focus on teaching responsible habits than imparting a mindset of scarcity to your kids. Even if finances are tight, you can approach the topic in a calm way by saying you want to be intentional about what you spend to save money for things in the future.
These small money decisions may not seem like a big deal now, but modeling is one of the best ways to teach your kids. By being frugal and saving money where you can, your kids will learn how to approach finances in a healthy way in the future.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©David Pereiras/Shutterstock.com