Fun summer days are approaching, and with it comes fun in the sun, activities, and heat (which isn't necessarily a bad thing). A main key to keeping a positive outlook on it all is knowing how to keep the money in your pocket while having fun and cooling off. But how?

We're looking forward to a lower heater bill, but scared to death of the A/C bill, we want to have fun with our families, but are worried about the costs, we want to do lots of things, but money is naturally a factor.

It's okay to have fun, life is great! We are meant to have joy! But you don't have to spend tons of money to find it. Budget, and you'll find money you didn't know you had. I've put together a list of tips that will help you save some money here and there, hopefully providing a less stressful summer.

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A/C Tips

Turn it off: Obviously, this can't always be the case (Although it is possible. My parents did it one summer. I'm still alive and well, and I learned from it). But, watch the weather. On cooler days, turn it off and open some windows, letting in fresh air and a fresh breeze

Turn it off at night: Days may not be cool, but nights may be. Turn it off and let your house sit without the a/c. Turn it on again in the morning.

Turn thermostat up: Sometimes turning the a/c completely off can be inefficient as it will have to work extra hard to get it back down to a comfortable temperature. So, if it's hot outside, try turning the thermostat up a few degrees. Set the thermostat a few degrees higher before you go to work or go on a vacation. Why have it a perfect temperature if no one's home?

Shut Blinds: If you aren't home to enjoy the daylight anyway, close the blinds (and maybe try curtains) to block out excess heat.

Use portable fans: Use them to cool down extra hot parts of the house (like upstairs) so that everyone has a comfortable temperature with out cranking the a/c.

Replace filters: They aren't that expensive, and it will save you costs. Replace regularly. Put it on a to-do list along with your spring cleaning.

Inspect: This may be good for some and may not for others. If it's an old a/c, it might be good to get it inspected from a trusted company.

Keep lamps and hot things away from thermostat: You don't want them boosting up the temperature when the rest of your house feels fine.

Insulate: Insulate your attic to keep that upstairs from getting too hot.

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Taking Advantage of the Outside Tips

Cook Outside: Rather than using the oven and heating up your house (it's like turning on the heater in the middle of the summer. Whew!), pull out the BBQ or the dutch oven and let the heat stay outside. Enjoy the time with family and friends and invite others over. Try something new that you wouldn't normally be able to make inside.

Hang Laundry Outside: Let the sun, not your dryer and electricity bill, do your drying for you. Hang up a clothesline and let your laundry dry there. People did it for hundreds of years (and still do)

Plant a Garden: What's cheaper than buying veggies and fruits at the store? Having them home-grown in your house or yard. (And it's so yummy, too). It you don't have a yard, plant inside in containers. It is possible. Or see if there's a vacant lot that the city would let you use. You could make a garden with a neighborhood (it is being done all over). There are some cool stories about it online. Plant with a friend at their house (as long as you contribute some work).

Open the Windows: If your home, save the electricity bill and let in that natural light. It's good for you to get some of those endorphins released from the sunshine. Let in a nice breeze on a cool day and freshen up your house (I love the smell of a fresh house, don't you?) Open up at least two windows so there's a cross-wind.

Plant a Tree: Planting a tree that sheds it's leaves in the fall will help you in the summer and winter. It will provide shade in the summer and let light shine through in the winter. Plant them on the south and west sides of your home and by your a/c unit so it uses less electricity as it will be shaded.

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Fun and Family Outing Tips

Have a Staycation: Plan vacations at home (gas is so expensive, as are lots of other things!) You can have fun camping in the backyard, going to the zoo, having picnics, etc. Let everyone be involved in the planning so they feel their ideas are important and so they get to do something they want to do.

Have an at-home water park: Rather than spending money at the busy water park, use your sprinklers to have fun at home while staying cool. Invite family and friends and have a water balloon fight. Take advantage of the water at home.

Hotel-picking: If you do go on vacation, find a hotel with a microwave and a fridge so you can make your own food rather than eating out, which can get expensive.

Have a picnic: Use the nice weather to be outside. Save money from going out to eat and have a picnic with food everyone helped prepare. I personally think picnics are more fun and memorable than eating out anyway.

Rent a movie: Rather than going out the movies, rent a movie. You could even watch it on a laptop in your own backyard. Or at least go to a matinee.

Free Festivals: Be aware of free festivals in your area that would be fun and family friendly.

Cancel the cable bill: Build memories as a family or a couple, or even with friends, and go outside. I grew up without cable and loved it. I didn't have to watch that show on TV. We had a TV so we could watch movies, but I spent a lot of time doing other things. I didn't complain, I loved it. No need to feel tied down. You will be more likely to spend time outside or spend good quality time with your loved ones.

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Extra Tips

Turn down the water heater: One site said to around 120 degrees Fahrenheit. You probably want a colder shower anyway, so why have your water heater doing extra work and using extra money?

Shower-head: Get a low-flow shower head to save water.

Beware of Blackout Days: Always be prepared. Check the news and the website of your electricity company to know when these are. Stock up on what you would need and make sure you drink lots of water.

Water in the morning: You don't want the water you're using evaporating, that just means you have to spend more. Do it in the morning when it's coolest.

Microwave: If you don't want to or can't cook outside, use that microwave! Rather than heating up the house to cook the chicken nuggets, use the microwave (saves time, too)

Make a smoothie: Don't throw out your fruit. Freeze it. Then, when you're feeling like you need a smoothie or an ice-cream run because it is just so hot outside, you can make one in the comfort of your home. Save the 5 dollars here and there.

Check for drafts: Make sure your windows and doors are securely shut. If you see light coming through a crack by the door, there is a long padded strip you can get at the store to help seal it. You don't want the cool air escaping on an extra hot day, making the a/c do extra work.

Summer School: If you're looking to get your education, try summer school classes. They are usually cheaper.

Or there's always this if worst comes to worst...

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References:
https://financialplan.about.com/od/savingmoney/qt/summertips.htm
https://billcutterz.com/blog/2013/03/10-tips-for-saving-money-in-the-summer-heat/
https://www.quickandsimple.com/saving-money/debt-budget/cut-energy-costs
https://www.quickandsimple.com/saving-money/debt-budget/19-ways-save-money-summer

Kid jumping image:
https://www.mint.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/summer.jpg

Fan image:
https://rism-ukie.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/becool-300x300.jpg

Garden image:
https://imagesus.homeaway.com/mda01/0426a3290406a22580f76874e6710e6a8f714313

Neighborhood garden image:
https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSgYAS51ZF3ywrAcekJXT2o9dahzLJiBZTj_-BD8TT9gwexPL77qg

Family image:
https://cdn.sheknows.com/articles/2011/07/family-playing-ball-outside-summer.jpg

Smoothie image:
https://www.safefood.eu/SafeFood/media/SafeFoodLibrary/Images/Consumer/Healthy%20Liviing/Smoothies240x185.jpg

Dog image:
https://texasfarmersmarket.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/bull-dog-550x300.jpg

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