Creative Ways to Budget this Sizzling Summer
Family vacations are experiences that almost everyone looks forward to. The problem, though, is vacations can be so darn expensive. But believe it or not, there are plenty of simple, fulfilling ways to earn extra cash, whether you work already or you’re a stay-at-home mom.
Taking in Furry Houseguests
One option is a relatively new trend called dog boarding, and it’s a blast for animal lovers. What you do is take in people’s dogs for them when they go away on vacation; it’s a win-win situation. You and your family earn money and have fun playing with your new canine buddies, and the people traveling don’t have to feel guilty about leaving their dogs in kennels! Actually, it’s a win-win-win situation, because the dogs come out as winners, too. While their masters are away, they spend time with affectionate people who pamper them non-stop!
Who Needs Air Conditioning?
You can also keep a little more of your hard-earned cash during the summer by turning off your air conditioning as often as possible. Unless you live in a desert climate, rely on open windows and portable fans, especially at night. You might also try positioning a cool damp cloth on your forehead every now and then.
The Gym-Free Lifestyle
Another unnecessary expense is your gym membership. Wait, you might be protesting, belonging to my gym is an important part of my overall health and fitness. Well, the truth is there are plenty of ways to stay in shape without going near a gym! You could buy free weights and perform resistance exercises like bicep curls and hamstring curls. You might also walk, jog, or run every day, and
do plenty of jumping jacks, planks, crunches, and push-ups at home.
Becoming a Mom-lancer
Recently, I’ve picked up extra spending money as an Internet freelancer, and so can you! All you need to do is go to a reputable website like oDesk and choose projects that involve your favorite hobbies, such as writing. Completing oDesk assignments is often so pleasurable that it’s strange to realize you’re getting paid for it!
So there you have it: a few ways to save money and make money as the temperatures rise. If you follow these tips, you might find that you enjoy your family vacation more than ever this year. That’s because it’s comforting to know that you didn’t need to raid your bank account to fund your trip!
Shaye is a single mom that has a passion for family, budgeting, healthy living, fitness, and travel. She loves finding new ways to cook healthier and stay fit, all while doing it on a budget. She has a beautiful son and one eccentric dog, but wouldn’t have it any other way.. Follow her blog at http://simplyshaye.wordpress.com!
