<p>The countdown is on. In the last two to three weeks, I’ve attended banquets, sent in cards for Teacher Appreciation Week, gone on field trips, made donations for parties and helped our girls prepare for final exams, school projects and more.</p>
<p>The month of May certainly brings the heat when it comes to unexpected expenses and last-minute purchases. From that cute outfit for the honor day program to snacks for field day, every parent prays to simply come out on the other side alive.</p>
<p>And yet, we know that summer vacation brings with it a host of its own expenses, too. While you may be able to save when it comes to school lunch or school supplies, you’ll still need to budget for summer camp, new swimsuits, sunblock, bug spray — the list goes on and on. Toss in a family trip to the ballpark or theme park or aquatic park and you realize all that hot fun in the summertime can suck your bank account dry.</p>
<p>Rather than stretch your current finances too tight, tossing your budget to the wind, consider these smart strategies to begin a summer time save up initiative. Get creative and find small ways to reduce spending or bring in extra income to supplement your budget for plenty of summertime fun.</p>
<p>Change drive</p>
<p>I once heard a speaker say that if you don’t know exactly how much change you have in your car, you’re rich. There’s some truth to his words both because many people who live below the poverty line worldwide know exactly down to the penny how much money they have and because we often treat our change like disposable money. We toss pennies here and there. Nickels cement themselves to the cupholders in our car.</p>
<p>Begin your summer save up by going on a change rampage. Scour your home and vehicles for each and every cent. Don’t forget to check the couch cushions, under the car seat and the bottom of your purse. Look through backpacks and empty out the change jar in your house. Scrape together every quarter, dime, nickel and penny and place them in your summertime fun fund.</p>
<p>Yard sale it</p>
<p>No matter how much we try to deny it, most of us own more than we need. Perhaps this summer provides the perfect opportunity for you to both lighten your load and earn a few bucks to support your ice cream habit.</p>
<p>Whether you choose a traditional yard sale or post your extras online, keep in mind that your items are only worth what people will pay for them. We all have the tendency to overvalue our possessions. Drop that mindset and make the inventory move.</p>
<p>Unsubscribe</p>
<p>Subscription boxes, streaming services, gym fees — monthly fees drain your bank account. Consider canceling something this summer and funneling the extra dollars toward fun experiences for your family instead.</p>
<p>Your cancellation doesn’t have to be indefinite. Maybe you’ll dump cable for the summer but reinstate services in the fall when the new seasons of your favorite shows air. Best of all, after you cancel a subscription for two or three months, the service typically offers you a new, lower rate to jump back on board.</p>
<p>Work it</p>
<p>Longer daylight hours means you can work more during the summer month. Part of your summer save up strategy might involve taking on extra work. From seasonal lawn care to providing childcare for families in need of extra hands during the summer months, opportunities abound. Get creative and think about new sources of income in June, July and August.</p>
<p>Nix the paper goods</p>
<p>Trim that grocery budget by choosing to use reusable plates, cups, napkins and bowls all summer long. The cost of summer time picnic paper goods quickly add up. It may require a little more effort on your part, but the savings are worth it long term.</p>
<p>While you’re trimming your purchases, it’s a good idea to think through each of the items you buy at the grocery store to see if you can reduce your monthly bill. Choose bulk meat instead of individually packaged items. Skip the snack size chips and buy a larger bag. Opt for a large jar of applesauce instead of the little packets.</p>
<p>You can make dozens of shifts in your buying process to leverage money toward summer fun. Be flexible and willing to identify areas where you can change.</p>
<p>The key component of your summer savings effort requires you to be intentional with the money you do save. Set up a savings account where you can deposit the extra cash. Or find a bank or jar or envelope where you can put the money. If you absorb those hard fought for dollars and cents into your checking account, they will disappear.</p>
<p>Get started today. Save up for every popsicle, every elephant ear, every trip to see a Hollywood blockbuster. It’s going to be an awesome summer. Work hard to save money so you can play hard and enjoy it.</p>
<p>Greenwood resident Cherie Lowe and her husband paid off $127,000 in debt in four years and now live debt-free every day with their two kids. She is the author of “Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After.” Send questions, column ideas and comments to <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a></p>
