By Megan Santkuyl, Financial Health Counselor
Is debt holding you back from having a fun summer? No worries, you can still pay down or pay off debt and still have a great summer with these easy-to-follow tips to save money:
Focus on free and/or cheap events
Summer is full of free and inexpensive events. Check out your local event pages and social media groups to find events near you.
Save on gas: ride your bike or walk
Not only do both provide great ways to save on transportation costs, but also provide valuable free exercise. My husband bikes to work every day. We take many bike trips together to run errands or to visit family and friends.
Set aside money each week to pay off your debts
When I was just starting out, every week (or paycheck) I would try to set aside an extra $100 to put toward debt: $100 x 13 (weeks of summer roughly) = $1,300 extra to put towards paying off debt.
Buy food that’s in season to save on grocery bills
Buying food that is in season in your area brings down the cost of groceries. Compare costs or even barter with friends who have gardens. We always have an overstock of zucchini and cucumbers that we share with friends and family and, in return, they trade us kale and tomatoes.
Food tends to keep longer if stored in glass jars. Learn to preserve what you don’t eat before it spoils. Check out your local University of Wisconsin Extension website for free safe preservation techniques.
Earn extra cash
There are many places that hire summer help. Examples include landscaping, sports venues, Uber/Lyft drivers, parks and recreation, and wedding venues.
Save on energy
Open those shades and let some light in! Natural lighting is an effective way to brighten up your day and save money.
Open the windows and let the breeze in. Adjust the thermostat to lower your utility bill.
Put down the phone
Be present and shop less. Your phone gives you access to shopping and continuous scrolling. Enjoy time without your phone so you can focus on what really matters.
Making wise choices will help you save money and pay down debt during the summer and all year long. Summer is short and doesn’t have to be boring. Enjoy it while it lasts -- summer in Wisconsin is too great to miss!
Learn more or schedule a visit with Catholic Charities Finance Health Services.