Getty Images
After a long, long winter, warmer weather is finally here. Bring on the brunches al fresco, beach vacations, baseball games—and bigger bills. While summer may not seem like the season to save money, you don’t actually have to sacrifice savings to have fun. Read on.
Trim travel costs
Thanks to rising oil costs, we’re in for the most expensive summer gas prices in years. That means you’ll pay more at the pump and on airfare. Ouch. Here’s how to lessen the pain.
You might like: How to save money on Disneyland—tips from the pros
Entertain yourself for cheap (or free!)
Can’t afford to shell out hundreds on Taylor Swift or Beyoncé and Jay-Z concert tickets this summer? Indulge in some simpler pleasures.
Slash your food bill
The sad truth is that while grocery prices have stayed relatively flat, restaurant menu prices continue to rise. So why not kick up your homemade meals instead and invite friends over?
- Grow your own. You don’t need a big backyard to save money growing your own food. Urbanites can still get a piece of the action with container kits, perfectly sized for fire escapes, roofs and even small window sills. Beginners can develop green thumbs with low-maintenance herbs like basil, mint and cilantro, which elevate the fancy factor in your dishes and cocktails.
- Shop the farmers market. It’s not just for wealthy foodies. One study found that farmers market shoppers pay a whopping 40% less for organic produce than supermarket shoppers. Can’t find a local farmers market near you? You can still save at the grocery store by shopping what’s fresh and in season.
- Whip up no-heat eats. Using big appliances during peak hours (basically all day in the summer) comes at a hefty premium during hotter months. Turn off the oven and whip up no-heat meals like summer salads, chilled soups and dessert icebox cakes.
Pay less to be a guest
There’s a strong possibility you attended at least one of last summer’s 136,702 weddings—and have RSVP’d to more this year. Considering millennial wedding guests drop an average of $893 per event, it’s wise to cut corners where you can.
Read the original article on Grow.