Last year, LendEDU conducted a study that found that summer is the second most expensive season of the year. In fact, most people said that they expected to take on more credit card debt to cover summer expenses. However, enjoying the summer weather doesn’t have to be an expensive prospect. If you know how to take advantage of smart shopping techniques and time your purchases around the major annual retail sales, then you’ll be able to save money easy all throughout the summer (and even into fall).
Save Money on Summer Outfits
Enjoy the warmer weather with these suggestions on how to spend money on clothing for outdoor exercise and activities, splashing around in the water, and relaxing in the sun.
These tips are going to help you save money and live better regardless of what your budget looks like.
Swimsuits
Many swimsuits actually start coming out in late spring, especially in warmer climates, meaning that by the beginning of summer the first releases will start to go on sale.
Look for outlet stores like Nordstrom Rack and Neiman Marcus Last Call to begin stocking spring’s swimsuit styles around May.
Spring Clothing
Don’t rely on the season that clothing styles are marketed toward – many outfits that are on sale at the end of spring can do double duty in warmer summer weather.
This is especially true if you live in the northern, cooler states. Snag a spring outfit in May when it goes on sale before all of the summer clothes hit the racks.
Shoes
Similar to clothing outlet stores, many shoe outlet stores will begin to offer summer-worthy sandals, heels, and hiking boots in early summer.
Look for brand-specific factory outlet stores like Nike and Skechers, as well as general shoe outlet stores like Rack Room Shoes and Famous Footwear.
Lingerie & Workout Clothes
Victoria’s Secret’s annual sale is in June, and many other lingerie stores follow suit.
These savings are often the best that they’ll be all year, which is perfect if you’re ready to enjoy your new summer body as early as spring.
If you aren’t ready to enjoy your summer body, then go ahead and take advantage of the annual sale to snag the lowest price of an item. You can use it later on in the summer or even next year.
Victoria’s Secret also sells workout clothes and swimsuits for your other summer activities.
Save Money on Summer Activities
With students out for the summer, this season is a great time to enjoy family outdoor activities in the warmer weather, as well as for adults to get a chance to enjoy the weather without children around.
It’s also a great time to teach students how to start saving money on their own. Here are a few tips.
Summer Fitness
To get in the best shape for bathing suit season, you can take advantage of the many deals and promotions that fitness centers and gyms run in the middle of summer when sales are down after the rush of New Year’s resolutions gym memberships has passed.
In some areas, teenagers can head to the gym free for the entire summer as long as they sign up with an adult.
Look for gym deals with no initiation fees or contracts. You can also check out yoga studios that might offer discounted outdoor classes, or ask swim clubs if they offer special summer deals on outdoor water aerobics classes.
Water Parks & Amusement Parks
Water parks with rides, lazy rivers, and a relaxing place for families to sit and enjoy the sun are popular during the summer, but their ticket prices can be high if you do not look for a discount first.
To keep costs down, look for deals on sites like Groupon or LivingSocial or through local coupon books.
Oftentimes, parks offer reduced kids’ ticket price days. Or, take a whole group for a birthday party and ask for group pricing offers.
Save Cash on Summer Sales
Several great sales happen during the summer months, starting with Mother’s Day in mid-May.
At many stores the discounts will not be limited to traditional Mother’s Day gifts like jewelry but will apply to the whole store, making this sale a great time to also shop for everyday items like clothes and shoes.
Memorial Day sales also offer major savings at the end of May, often on appliances, electronics, and outdoor items, meaning this can be a great time to shop for new patio furniture and outdoor grills to enjoy during the coming summer months.
If you can wait until the end of June, many Independence Day sales offer steep discounts on summer clothes and shoes, outdoor furniture and accessories, and home, kitchen, and outdoor appliances.
For Father’s Day, many home improvement stores offer sales on tools so that shoppers can complete their outdoor projects before the summer’s end.
Sounds like a lot of great deals, right? Just wait until stores begin to offer their Back to School sales in July and August. This doesn’t even include Tax-Free Weekend, which is the first weekend of August.
Save Money Effortlessly All Throughout Summer
Instead of rushing to snag the hottest deal or heading to a theme park on a specific day just to get a discount, why not put your money to work for you throughout the entire summer?
Saving money online is only part of putting your money to work for you. Your debit card should also work to help you save money and earn your cashback.
Cheese Debit Card has no fees and it’s full of benefits: saving bonus and cashback.
Ready to start saving cheese? Sign up for your Cheese debit card.