10 More Ways to Save this Summer

Saving money should be a year-round habit, but summertime can bring some unique opportunities for moms to save a bit more.  You don’t have to be a penny-pincher, but these tips will guarantee some extra cash to add to your family savings this month of May.

1. Spring clean and hold a garage sale.
We often accumulate things we don’t need and they end up filling our closets. The endless clutter can give us unwanted stress as well. Schedule an afternoon this month to go through all your things and ask yourself if you really need it.  Start with your clothes and sort them into three piles: clothes you use, clothes that need repairs, clothes to give away.  Do the same with your other belongings and get the help of family members, then hold a garage sale!  All unsold items can be donated to charitable institutions.  

2. Cut your electricity costs.
Cleaning your aircon filters will greatly help your air-conditioning units function more efficiently, and summer is the best time to do it. If you have a huge electric bill, try considering Meralco’s POP program.  Their Peak/Off-Peak (POP) program allows you to avail of its alternative pricing scheme where you are charged less during off-peak hours (generally during the evenings and on Sundays), so you can plan for the best time to use your appliances.  

(Related story: 10 Ways to Lower your Electricity Bills this Summer)

3. Indulge in cold showers.
It’s scorching hot outside and a blast of cold water is the perfect way to cool off. Showering for less than ten minutes will not only lessen your water costs but help save Mother Earth too! Have access to a pool? A swim will not only be refreshing but is also good exercise.  

4. Hold a barbecue.
Who says you can’t have fun and save at the same time? Summer is a good time for a fun barbecue get-together with close friends. Sharing the food helps lessen the cost, but certainly does not diminish the fun memories one can build with sharing stories with friends. Make it a doubly fun event by holding a swap party where each one brings something unused to give away.

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5. Get organized.
There are many ways to save money just by being organized. When going out for errands, set aside half an hour to list down the places you need to go to and the things you need to do, and figure out the most efficient way of getting them all done. Perhaps an early trip to the supermarket is the best, as it is usually open early in the day (don’t forget to list down the things you need to avoid over-purchasing unwanted and unhealthy food). Hitting the bookstore for school supplies before lunch is a good idea to avoid mall crowds. Buying clothes for a toddler after his nap can make the trip a breeze since he will tend to be more cooperative.  

Keeping things in their rightful place also helps. You save money when you avoid buying things you already have. We tend to forget where we put the extra set of stockings so we buy another for the big meeting tomorrow. How about the missing hairpins that your little girl suddenly needs for a play the next day, or the luggage lock that you can’t find hours before you have to leave for a trip, causing you to make a stopover at the nearby store to purchase another one? Keep track of where things are to avoid these from happening.

6. Grow your own food.
Create your own vegetable or herb garden and save money from the expensive alternatives at the supermarket. You can also make your own drinks by blending fruits and ice to make refreshing fruit shakes.  

7. Dry your laundry outside.
If you regularly use a washing machine and dryer, choose to dry your laundry outside instead this month. You can also save more if you give your washing machine a rest as well and do the laundry the old-fashioned way – using the batya and palo-palo. Makes for a great workout, too!

8. Plan your vacation wisely.
There are a lot of great deals that you can select from when you plan your vacation. Options range from fantastic airfare discounts to huge hotel bargains. It just takes a few extra hours to really sit down and surf the net for these deals. You can design your own tours, get tips from customer reviews, select places that offer free wifi or give meal coupons.  

9. Have a staycation instead.
Not much money to spend? Opt for a staycation. A Hawaiian vacation can be replicated at home when you have a dash of creativity and a wild imagination! Think grass skirts, drinks with little umbrellas, inflated pools, decorative shells and some music to dance the hula with. Movie marathons with the family or holding a board game night are also good alternatives.  

10. Be entrepreneurial.
Have some time to spare this summer? Consider doing a small job on the side. Perhaps you enjoy writing? You can contribute articles to publications or set up your own blog site. Have talent in cooking? A lot of office employees would love to have homemade food delivered to their workplace. Like photography? Get side jobs taking family portraits or documenting birthday parties. Ignite your passion and earn some extra cash. Who knows, it may turn out to be very successful and before you know it, you’ll soon have your own profitable business.  

Image from dailymoneysaving.com