With summer 2013 right around the corner, now is the perfect time to start saving. After all, summer is the perfect time to take a vacation and get away from it all, although doing so will be next to impossible if you don’t have the right amount of funds behind you. Saving may seem quite difficult for those who have a lot of bills and other responsibilities to put their money towards, but there are a few calculated ways you can save on summer without compromising other areas of your life.
Reasons to Save Up For Summer 2013
Take a Road Trip
There’s no better time for a road trip than during the summer, and even though gas prices remain rather high, taking a road trip is not out of reach. The best thing you can do in order to save money on this type of vacation is to put as much time into the planning process as possible. Finding cheap hotels to stay at while on the road is certainly an option, but so is camping or staying with friends in each city/town that you plan to visit. Be sure to plan the trip around places that you’ve always wanted to visit, and look for those that offer family-friendly activities if you’ll be bringing others along with you. Also, start putting away at least $100 per week so that when the summer finally comes along, you’ll have plenty of money to take on the road with you.
Go See Your Favorite Band
Summer is the season of live music, and with so many outdoor shows to go to, you’ll have plenty to choose from if you decide to take the time to go see your favorite band. If you want to save money, you should look for outdoor shows or festivals that revolve around camping. Camping is not only a great way to take in the “scene,” but can save you a lot of money in comparison to getting a hotel room.
You might want to set up a small savings account specifically delegated to helping you pay to see live music this summer; just be sure to read more about the specifics before settling on an account.
Head to Europe
If you’ve never been to Europe, you have quite a bit to be excited about by planning a trip there. Europe has something for everyone, whether you’re looking to experience a new culture, eat unique food or visit some of the world’s most well-known landmarks. Of course, saving up for a European vacation can be quite costly, and it’s not going to happen overnight. If you wish to save even more, you might want to consider staying at hostels while you’re over in Europe; a great way to travel on a shoestring budget.
Summer 2013 is sure to be packed with fun, so start saving now!
The following was a guest post by Bridget Reed, a personal finance blogger in the UK. Thanks for reading!
Hi, my name is Lauren but I'm known to those nearest and dearest as L. Bee. After twenty-five years on the planet I have worked in a lot of industries, moved to many different cities, and made almost every money mistake you can make.Join me on my journey as I navigate my twenties and try not to pick my "money tree" bare.
24 
15
I’ve always wanted to do a cross-country road trip. Maybe on the list for next year?
The Happy Homeowner recently posted..Increased Productivity = More Money in My Pocket
I`m already saving. I`m heading to a Spanish Island for 2 weeks in June, and 2 days after getting home, my two best friends are getting married, so I have to save up some money for accommodation, gifts etc.
The Norwegian Girl recently posted..Be SMART about phone use and SAVE money
Love this idea! We’re already saving not just cash, but racking up points on our CC to earn some travel rewards (and paying off monthly, of course.
).
Laurie @thefrugalfarmer recently posted..Decision Time