Tag Archives: summer

Summer Savvy – Cutting Costs But Not the Fun

summer

Summer is here, and we couldn’t be more excited! There are so many things to do and places to be, however, that doesn’t mean you get to stop budgeting. Don’t let saving money suck the fun out of your summer. Heartland Bank offers a few ways to cut costs but not experiences when it comes to your favorite activities!

Enjoy The Great Outdoors

There are plenty of free walking paths and parks you and your family can enjoy throughout the summer. The benefit of getting outside and active also includes keeping money in your pocket! Many state parks don’t include a fee – you just show up and start your hike. This is a great way to get out of the house and enjoy your day to the fullest while keeping your budget in check.

Reap Rewards Points

Many credit cards give you the ability to trade in points for airfare, hotel rooms, meals and so on. Stretching your points gives you the chance to experience more while not paying an extensive amount to do so. With 7 in 10 Americans owning at least one credit card, now is the chance to start using them to their fullest potential.

Lower Your Lodging

Nowadays, there are many different ways you can find a place to stay while on the road. Airbnb, FlipKey, HomeAway and other sites allow vacationers to pay a cheaper price than some hotels in the area. Travelers can enjoy a different experience than your standard hotel thanks to extra space, full kitchens and other amenities.

Sign Up For Memberships

Many attractions offer memberships to those who are frequent attendees. Sign up for a membership to get half priced attendance fees, discounts on food and so on. Annual passes to pools, theme parks and other places can be a little expensive starting off, but if you know how to make use of them, you’ll be able to get your money back before you know it – and save a little too!

Seek Out Staycations

Instead of planning a big trip outside of the country, try vacationing near home. A staycation is exactly what you need to unwind while on a budget. Look at spas offering a couples’ discount or find cute little restaurants to try. Allowing yourself to get out of the house and try new things makes it feel like you’re treating yourself while not neglecting your bank account.

Have fun in the sun without busting your budget! Give us a call or stop in to see what saving solutions we can offer you during the summer. Growing financially and honing in on your budget will help your summer be a success!

Curbing Summer Spending

Don't let summer spending hinder your family's fun this season.

Don’t let summer spending hinder your family’s fun this season.

 

Summer in Central Iowa is great, isn’t it? The weather is warm, the days are long and the kids are out of school, meaning more family time. However, all these great things about summer can actually work against your wallet.

As we stay active for longer during the day or as the kids need more things to do, our checking accounts can take a hit. But how do we reduce the urge to spend when the season and our kids want us to spend more?

Try these five tips to keep your spending down and savings and fun up this summer.

  1. Get in the right mindset– Anna Newell Jones, author of the “And Then We Saved” blog, paid off $23,600 in debt in 15 months. How? One of her largest motivators was finding fulfillment without spending money. She wrote down three things she was thankful for every day as a way to teach herself to be content and to stop searching for “more” and “better.”  Take a page out of Anna’s book and try to focus on the great things you already have.
  2. Try out “no-spends”- build up your savings account by trying out a days, weeks, or, if you can, months of no spending. While you may not hit your goal of spending nothing, focusing on spending less will help.
  3. Clear out your mind and your home- kick off your savings quest with a spring cleaning session, recommends financial writer Kali Hawlk. Not only will this help you in selling things you need and finding things you forgot you had, but it will also help you re-tune your wants.
  4. Do more of your own cooking- it’s so easy to “grab a quick bite to eat” somewhere or to take the kids out for dessert on long summer evenings. Instead, produce more meals at home. They are generally healthier, in smaller portions and more satisfying than $40 spent at a restaurant that can be too cold or too loud.
  5. Look for budget-friendly activities- church camps and activities put on by community organizations are often low in cost, so be on the watch for those. There are also plenty of festivals, outdoor parties and other events during the summer that may cost little or nothing for an evening of family fun.

Not all fun things cost money. You can do your own research on the Internet or websites like Pinterest to find free or low-cost things to do this summer. If you need our help, you can always call or stop by any Heartland Bank office.

Heartland Bank, Member FDIC