Oh the lazy hazy days of summer. They beckon to us with vacations and road trips, blockbusters and fireworks. Around every corner, there’s another opportunity to spend money – sunblock, swimsuits, ice cream, barbecues, and new beach towels. There are new summer toys and flip flops, picnics and flowers for the yard. Don’t even get me started on the amount we spend on gasoline to mow our very large yard at least twice a week or the hike in the electric bill to keep the air conditioner running. Summer can be filled with unknown, unpredictable, or even don’t-want-to-miss-out on what everyone else is doing expenses making it a very difficult time of the year to stay true to your debt slaying goals. On the flip side, it’s also one of the very best times of the year to stay true to your pursuits. From playing outside at the park to free festivals and events, you can capitalize on both the longer days and warmer weather to stay entertained and fit.
Here are a few tips to help you pay off debt and keep your financial goals in check this summer:
Shut Down Your Social Media
You certainly don’t have to be a grouch or antisocial but it might be a good time of the year to cut your ties with social media. Seeing everyone else’s pictures will certainly send your contentment straight down the tubes while simultaneously heightening your envy factor. Take a break or cancel the account or at a bare minimum set a timer each time you log on. Limit your exposure so you can avoid a self-inflicted pity party.
Seek Out Free Entertainment
You don’t have to sit in the corner and stare at the four blank walls this summer. It is a very good thing for you to have fun with your friends and family. Begin by checking out the calendar at your local library. Then check the community center or local library’s calendar. Head to the convention or visitors bureau website. I even like to scroll through the local television stations’ and mall community calendars, too. Mark those dates down on the calendar for free movies, parades, concerts and more. Having those special activities on your calendar will give you something to look forward to instead of the temptation of wallowing in misery that there’s “nothing to do AGAIN this weekend.”
Revisit Your Success
Maybe this summer is a time to reflect. Take a look at where you’ve been financially and measure how far you’ve come. Whether it’s a graph or a thermometer, create a visual that helps you comprehend what goals you’ve already been able to achieve. Pausing to access success while fuel your efforts forward.
Realize This Is Literally a Season
I know everyone else has the cutest new swimsuit in the “hot” modest style (a contradiction in terms if I’ve ever written one) but this too will pass. The decor, the fads, the trips to a local theme park, these items are fading and temporal. Your financial freedom has the potential for forever. Yes, paying off debt requires discipline. Saying yes to something always requires you to say no to something else. And my friends that. is. difficult. However, it won’t last forever. I promise. The movie that you SO wanted to see won’t be something you pine for some day when you kiss this world goodbye. Neither will a killer beach vacation or a new pair of sunglasses or even fabulous flowers in the front yard. Nope, when faced with our mortality, the things that matter most are the people we love and the beauty of creation. Hang tight. The possibility of someday having a summer filled with the experiences and items everyone else seems to have could be in your future. But then again, maybe once you get to that place of freedom you won’t even desire those things after all.
I’ve said it time and time again. There is no good time to start paying off debt. There is only today. Maybe this summer is your “today.”
Begin your debt slaying journey or sojourn on weary battler. The struggle is real. But, it is worth it and you can do it!
Some of our best summers was spent at home and finding free entertainment in our communities. I live equal distance to 3 towns. The library in one town had a great summer program with special speakers each week and a reading club for the kids and adults too! We seeked out parks, movies in the park, spent time with family and friends. I would pack our lunches and snacks so I did not feel the need to eat out on our adventures. We also did a lot of fishing back then too when my daughter was younger. Try volunteering at a local museum site as well. We have several that is always looking for people to come and help. Our young adults in our area like to have bon fire and have their friends over. Just simple things that cost little to have a bit of summer fun.
These are all great ideas! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
I love the idea of realizing this is literally just a season. I’m keeping that in my back pocket.
Perspective is everything, no? It’s easy to be discouraged by what we can only see in the here and now.
The beach is free, summer camp was already paid for, our state(MA) offers Free Fridays at rotating museums and attractions, our town will offer free children’s and kayaking programs, our library has free books and movies and discount museum passes, our relative lives on a lake, another relative lives on a horse farm….. Oh boy, lots to do and so little time!!!! Love summer especially after the worst winter! Now to listen to your advice and preplan meals around all this….hmmm
You can do it! It doesn’t have to be complicated. 🙂