Beach trips, barbecues, pool parties — summer is officially here, and there are plenty of reasons to spend money on food and fun.
With hot weather and longer daylight hours, chances are your social life is a little bit busier than it was in the dark, cold days of January.
How do you have fun while staying on a budget? We don't want you to skip out on any opportunities to have fun this summer, but we want you to have fun while being financially responsible.
Here are a few ways to have more fun for less money this summer.
Save on gas. While gas prices are lower than they were last summer, there are still ways you can save.
- Download a gas tracking app, like GasBuddy or Gas Guru. You may also consider downloading Upside, which can give you cash rebates at gas stations in your area. (It also offers rebates on food and groceries.)
- Travel smart. Instead of sitting in traffic with the air conditioning on full blast, try to travel during off-peak times, like early in the morning. You'll save gas and get there faster.
Save on food. There are a lot of ways to save on groceries and on eating out, too.
- Be sure you're enrolled in the rewards program for your local grocery stores, and clip any digital coupons offered through that system. A lot of grocery stores have a website or an app where you can preview deals before you shop.
- Making a list of things you want to get at the grocery store can help you stay focused and steer you away from impulse purchases.
- If you're eating out with friends, consider splitting a meal or just having an appetizer to save money. Unless you're celebrating something really special, steer away from the most expensive item on the menu. A picnic might also be fun and is often a less-expensive option if you do your grocery shopping in a smart way.
Steer yourself to cheaper locations. Instead of going to the most popular beach, try going off the beaten path a little bit. You may find a less crowded hidden gem just five miles down the road.
- If you're heading somewhere new, do some research. Using Google for "hidden gems near ____" or using Chat GPT to find "how to save money on a trip to _____" can help a lot. You'll also want to check local travel websites for reviews of any places you find. The Visitor's Center website for your destination often has coupons for local attractions, too.
- While ocean-front properties may be preferable, prices will drop for a place just a couple of blocks inland.
- If you're staying for a few days, you should try to stay somewhere with a kitchen so you can keep a few grocery store staples on hand. You can save money on drinks and snacks that way, and also eat breakfast at home.
We also encourage you to start saving for next year's vacation this summer! CommonWealth One has special vacation savings accounts. If you divert just $50 per paycheck to a vacation account, you'll have $1,300 saved up by this time next year to use!
In addition, make sure you bring your CommonWealth One Visa® Signature Rewards credit card with you on your trip! You'll earn points that you can use on all sorts of things. (For current offers, log into online banking and click on Credit Card to access your CUReward offers.) If you're staying at a hotel, you can enjoy exclusive benefits like the best available rate, free in-room internet, and more when you book through the Visa® Signature Rewards Luxury Hotel Collection.
Have a great summer, from all of us here at CommonWealth One!
