Explore These 5 Easy Ways to Save Money This Summer
One of the greatest skills you can learn while you're young is how to manage money.
Saving money isn't always easy, especially in our consumer-driven culture that's fueled by ads and influencers who get paid just to sell you things you don't need. But whether you want to save for something big like a car or simply need to start thinking about college and all the expenses involved with that, it's never too early to start saving up. Here are some easy ways you can save money this summer, while still making the most of this time:
1. Skip the Barista-Made Coffee
Sometimes, there's nothing that feels quite as good as treating yourself to a fancy latte or Frappuccino from your favorite coffee chain. However, these sweet drinks don't just come with a caffeine spike—their prices can really start to add up over time. If you just have to have your caffeine kick (or the Instagram pic that usually comes along with it), then try learning more about ways to make coffee, tea or other sip-worthy drinks at home. You'll save a pretty penny by the end of summer if you start doing this now, plus it gives you a pretty impressive skill too.
(via Shutterstock)
2. Clear Out Your Closet
The trends of today don't last very long, meaning you probably have a good number of items gathering dust at the back of your closet. The good news is that just because you no longer wear something or it no longer fits you how you would like, doesn't mean someone else can't get use out of it! There are plenty of websites and stores out there dedicated to buying your lightly worn items and reselling them, something that's as good for your wallet as it is for the planet.
3. When You Do Need New Clothes, Try Thrift Shopping
Thrift shopping has risen in popularity recently, and with good reason. Not only is it a more eco-friendly option, but it's also usually a whole lot cheaper than finding clothes through fast fashion stores or other clothing resources. Try grabbing some friends and taking a trip to your local Goodwill, or if you want to try somewhere where you know you won't have to look as hard to find items that feel young and fun, Plato's Closet is always packed full of gems.
4. Learn to Cook a Few Simple Dishes at Home
We all love ordering Chipotle after a long day of studying, but do you ever realize how much you spend after even just one week of ordering out regularly? This goes especially if you're ordering from food delivery apps where delivery fees and tips (and yes, you should always tip) can quickly turn your $2.99 chicken nuggets into a $20 meal for one. By learning how to make a few simple recipes, you'll gain an amazing new skill and save a good amount of money while you're at it. Start looking at ordering food or going out to a restaurant as a special treat rather than a regular thing and you'll be blown away at your savings by the end of summer.
(via Shutterstock)
5. Set Aside Birthday Money or Unexpected Cash
If you've recently had a birthday, graduation or other celebration that came along with random family members sending you money, try setting that cash aside rather than dropping it on a big-ticket item you probably won't use for that long anyway. While that purse you've been eyeing for a while now may be tempting, you'll feel a lot better in the long run if you use that money for college application fees or sports equipment later on when you need it most.
With these tips in mind, saving money can become second nature for you this summer. Start now and think of all the things you'll be able to treat yourself to with that extra cash in your pocket!
Totally guilty of spending more than you need? Click HERE to discover the shopping habits you need to break ASAP if you're bad with money.