May 28, 2016
Written by: Kristin Gross, Asset Building Coach at La Casa de Esperanza
Living in Wisconsin we all look forward to summer break. Between festivals, fireworks and finally warmer weather there’s nothing better. Summer can also be a really expensive time of the year, because families are vacationing and parents are trying to keep their kids busy while they are out of school.
If you want enjoy this season without breaking the bank, check out these four great tips for being more frugal while still having fun this summer.
#1 Take Advantage of Local Events
Wisconsin there is always some kind of festival going on. Check them out. Local churches or small town festivals like Cedarburg’s Strawberry Festival are great places to start. Visit websites like TravelWisconsin.com for help finding something fun to do in a county you’ve never been to. Museums, libraries and parks all have big things going on during the summer.
#2 Create Your Own Summer Camp
If you live in a neighborhood with many stay-at-home parents, you can save a lot of money on summer camps by creating your own. Have each stay-at-home parent take a turn planning something for the kids to do each week. Choose a couple of free activities and a couple of activities that are a reasonable cost like the zoo or an outdoor water park or splash pad.
#3 Family Dinners
Pick three or four family friends and start a family dinner night. Each week a new family hosts a BBQ. These are great nights for socializing and entertaining, because you can add a theme to your night and play board games or go out for dessert after dinner. You get a free dinner three days a month, and it’s something fun to do that’s free.
#4 Create a Summer Budget
Using your monthly budget, create a separate budget for June-Sept to account for all the extra activity costs you may encounter. Between weddings, graduations and family reunions, the costs can add up quickly. If you plan and set some money aside before summer break starts, those extra expenses won’t be too shocking to your budget.
Kristin Gross is an Asset Building Coach for the Financial Stability Initiative at La Casa de Esperanza, in Waukesha, Wisconsin. The Financial Stability Initiative is a partnership between La Casa de Esperanza and the United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County. Kristin has her Bachelor’s degree in Personal Finance from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She is a financial coach and educator working with individuals and families on obtaining tools for financial capability by meeting basic needs, building savings and gaining assets. She enjoys sharing her knowledge of personal finances to positively impact the lives of others.