Monday, June 22, 2015

When the weather gets hot, we think of beach vacations, new summer clothing, and cranking up the air conditioner. But the Frugal Shopper bloggers at U.S. News & World Report remind us that summer can be a good time to save both money and resources.

Here are 10 things you can buy, skip or reuse as the temperature begins to heat up:

Visit the thrift store – Spring cleaning in many households has bulked up the stock at thrift stores. Check these first for gently used summer clothes as well as picnic goods, pool toys and more.

Work out on the cheap – Gyms frequently offer discounted prices in summer, when membership languishes as more people run and swim outdoors.

Update your home goods - Retailers often mark down big-ticket appliances like refrigerators, as well as furniture and cookware, at this time of year. Now’s the time to save on home goods even as you spend more time outdoors.  

Search for travel bargains online – Air and hotel coupons and discounts, especially for last-minute travelers, can often be found online in summer at a variety of travel websites.

Buy produce in bulk – Summer harvests bring a bounty of locally grown fruits and vegetables. Shop farmer’s markets or sign up for produce deliveries from a community-sponsored agriculture program. In small households, split bulk buys with a neighbor.

Grow your own – It can be fun and rewarding to plant and nurture a garden. Most garden shops can give you good advice and how to start and maintain a veggie patch.

Try some generics – When shopping, experiment with store brands instead of pricier labels, especially at specialty stores, where quality tends to be high. This can also save you big bucks on pricey summer goods like sun block and first-aid goods.

Host a frugal summer bash – Instead of buying pricey concert tickets, use a DIY or potluck approach to hosting a swim party, game night or other gathering.

Cut your gas costs – Look for opportunities to carpool or use public transportation to the beach or other summer outings.

Have a garage sale – Make a few bucks to help pay for summer expenses by cleaning out your home and garage and hosting a neighborhood sale.

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