People are on budgets for various reasons. You may be saving up for something or you’re trying to keep expenses down. Whatever the case may be, being on a budget doesn’t mean you’re pinching pennies, it just means you’re being more mindful of how you’re spending money. So, here are some great ways to enjoy the summer on a budget.

#1 Walk/bike more

It’s pretty blatant that gas prices are high right now. What a lot of drivers may forget is that you can easily walk to a lot of places that are within a km or two of where you live. As someone who hasn’t owned a car in 10+ years, I’ll walk anywhere that’s within 45 minutes or grab a bus if I’m in a hurry. It not only saves money, but it’s easier on the environment and it’s a great way to keep active. If it’s hot out, be sure to wear a hat, have a water bottle, and sunscreen.

#2 Pack a picnic lunch for the park/beach

I know all too well the craving to eat out when you’re out. However, if you pack a delicious lunch, you can save a little on food and enjoy the sights around you in a more relaxed way rather than wonder where you’re going to eat when you get hungry.

#3 Nature walks

Focusing more on nature in general can save you a lot of money. If hikes and nature views are your main form of entertainment, you’ll spend a lot less especially if you stay within your local area. Even most urban areas will have some sort of a park, forest, or water feature, so why not grab a bus or go for a walk and enjoy some natural beauty?

#4 Cook at home

If you do nothing else to save money, cooking at home is the best thing you can do. There’s a lot of in season veggies and fruits you can incorporate into your meals in the summer, so now’s the time to try cooking some delicious dishes at home. It can help balance out any day trip expenses you might have on the weekends if you’re being more frugal during the work week.

#5 Try thrift shopping

Sometimes what you need can be found in a thrift store. I’m not saying you should never buy anything new, but it’s worth checking out your local thrift shop to see if what you’re looking for is there. Especially for simpler items like sandals, hoodies, etc. You can even find fun summer-related items like sports equipment, pool accessories, books, games, etc. It’s worth checking it out! And hey, you’re also helping to limit waste when you can reuse a previously loved item.

#6 Be a tourist in your own city

Keeping it local means you can save on gas – or make use of the transit system or walk/bike to where you want to go. Every area has some sort of attraction. If you can fall back in love with where you live, you’ll be able to have a lot of fun closer to home.

#7 Learn how to enjoy the simpler things

It’s amazing how meaningful the simpler things really are – sunsets, nature walks, beach days, pool days, BBQs, coffee dates, reading, etc. You don’t have to be a jet setter or a rich socialite to enjoy life – and that includes the summer. Sometimes it’s the things that don’t cost a lot of money that can be the most enjoyable.

#8 Have a staycation

A staycation is when you plan a vacation around being at home (or closer to home). You could even pick one thing to splurge on (Like a fancy dinner or a cool tour) while being more price conscious for the rest of your holiday. There’s a lot of creative ways to revive your home – sometimes even switching furniture around or adding some nice accents can create some more ambiance and make you feel better in your living space. Camp in your backyard. Have a five course meal under a blanket tent with string lights, pick wildflowers and put them in vases around your home (assuming the flowers aren’t government protected 😅). There’s so many cool things you can do for a staycation. Get creative! ❤

I hope you enjoyed these ideas and found them helpful. 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by today.