Are you saving money this summer?

This is a guest post by Andreas from moneysupermarket.com; who writes about all things finance including savings, loans and credit cards.

The economic climate during the last couple of years has caused people to be a bit more frugal during the months when we’re normally most likely to spend more money.

Many people get carried away with their spending during the summer months, but I see it as a great time to save money. The sun is shining during the summer months (depending on where you’re based) and you can use the hot weather to your advantage to save some money. 

Hang Your Clothes Outside  
Whilst the sun is shining during the summer period you should hang your clothes outside instead of using the conventional dryer. 

Hanging your clothes outside should help you to save money on electricity, and if you’re green minded you’ll be happy to know that you’re doing your bit for the environment too. 

Go on a Holiday Closer to Home 

I normally go abroad once a year but last year I decided to vacation at home in the UK and I did save a lot of money. Often referred to as a “staycation”, going on vacation locally is becoming much more popular as it’s a cheaper alternative to going abroad.  

As long as you feel like you’ve traveled far enough away from home then you will still feel like you’ve had a holiday experience. Do some research and see what areas you could travel to where you have never been before and try something new.

 

Try Not to Use Air Conditioners 

Using air conditioners during the summer can seriously inflate your electric bill; try to circulate the air around your home more effectively. You can use portable or ceiling fans and you can open all of your windows to try and generate a breeze. If you really feel like you need an air conditioner, make sure the one you choose has an energy star rating for being energy efficient.

 

Try to Avoid Using Your Car 

Instead of jumping in your car and heading off to enjoy the summer weather somewhere, why not consider jumping on the train and taking your bicycle with you? You’ll save money on petrol and do your bit for the environment too.

 

Grow Your Own Fruit and Veg or Visit a Farmers Market 

Take advantage of the hot weather and grow your own fruit and veg during the summer, you may be surprised by how green fingered you actually are. Foods like tomatoes, cucumbers, beans and even corn grow fantastically well so try them out. 

One other thing you could do is pay a visit to any local farmers markets in your area; they can be a great resource for fresh produce at great prices so see what they have to offer.

I hope I’ve outlined some ways in which you can save money during the summer period, if you have anything that you think I’ve missed be sure to let me know in the comments section.

Mysti's Note:  Thanks to Andreas for this post.  The thing I love about this post is that despite the fact that Andreas lives "across the pond" from me, in the UK, the ideas are still the same!