Guest post from Kim of Protean Mom
Want to enjoy your summer while keeping those budget goals you've set? Here are 4 ideas that should help:
1. Be Water Conscious
No matter where you live, water is a precious commodity. Using less water is a great way to help the environment while saving some cash. Here's how:
- Lawns also don't need to be watered every day unless you're watering mid-day. Try watering before dawn instead.
- Planning on using the kid's sprinkler toy that day – but also have the sprinkler system set to run? Run the other stations, but keep that zone off. It's going to get soaked when the kids start playing.
- Take shorter showers or use less water in the bath. Kids may prefer to bathe in the pool; I'll let you decide whether that counts!
- Mulch your plants: a lot of the water just evaporates in this heat unless it has something, like mulch, to keep it put. You won't have to water the plants nearly as often.
2. Get Outdoors
How does being outside save money? Well, for one, you don't have the lights on in your house when you're outside. It's summer – there's plenty of sunlight! It also means that the TV can be off, the A/C can be raised a couple of degrees, and that you could enjoy nature.
There are tons of outdoor options: hiking, camping, playing in the backyard, gardening on a budget, swimming, boating, and more. Just be sure to take proper precautions for the activity.
I grew up in Arizona and I'm a ginger, so I understand that being outside during the heat of the day isn't always possible. That's fine – go outdoors when you can and wear sunscreen. Mornings and evenings are cooler – even in Arizona – and are great times to enjoy being outside.
3. Change the Thermostat
Keeping a house cool in the summer is a big deal, but it doesn't have to be a drain on the pocket book. Go look at what your thermostat is set at: ours is set to 75 degrees. Having it set at 75 degrees saves us on our power bill, but is still refreshingly cool compared to the 90+ degrees outside.
Don't think you can handle 75 inside? Try raising it just a single degree. You should still notice savings.
4. Avoid the Oven
I wish this meant a free pass on dinner, but it means using other appliances to cook your dinner.
We do the majority of our summer baking in the toaster oven. There's less energy (or gas) used, the house doesn't get as hot, and my bill stays lower. It also means I can't make – or eat – as many cookies at once.
There we have it: four easy ways to save big money this summer. Good luck!
What would you add to my list?
Kim considers herself versatile as a writer, wife, and mom because she occasionally does yoga. She’s geeky and proud of it. She lives with her husband, their children that she’s nicknamed after Transformers, and their intellectually-challenged dog. She blogs at Protean (pro-te-an) Mom.
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