Getting Financially Prepared for Summer

With the weather getting warmer, most people are preparing for summer by rotating their wardrobe and getting the grill out of the garage.  In addition, there are a number of financial steps that can be taken to make sure your budget doesn’t take a huge hit, and you approach the fall in good shape:

–If you have seasonal work, where there are extra projects in the summer — use the additional earnings to save for larger annual expenses or to boost your savings and investment accounts.

–Look for ways to lower costs for air conditioning — the air conditioner is one of the biggest energy users in the house.  Turning the thermostat up a bit, and using other  methods to stay cool will keep these costs in check.

–Take advantage of summer programs and discounts — a lot of programs, especially for kids, are available during the summer.  Be sure to check out the public library, parks, and museums to see what activities they have.  Summer is also a time for seasonal discounts at select restaurants and other places

–Take advantage of seasonal produce, grilling, and picnic opportunities — Farmer’s markets are featuring their summer bounty this time of year.  Take advantage of these things to eat seasonally and save money on going out.

–Conduct a mid-year audit of your monthly expenses and budget — mid-year is a good time to check your expenses to-date and reassess your budget and savings goals.  It helps to stay on track if you identify problem areas sooner rather than later.

shared at this week’s carnival of personal finance