More Fun, Less Spending: A Parent’s Guide to Saving Money This Summer
Summer is all about sunshine, family time, and making memories, but all those activities can add up fast. The good news? You don’t have to sacrifice fun to stay on budget. With a little planning and creativity, your family can enjoy a memorable summer without overspending.
Here are some practical (and fun!) summer budgeting tips:
Embrace Free Budget Friendly Family Activities
Some of the best summer memories don’t cost a thing.
- Visit local parks, splash pads, or nature trails
- Attend free community events, concerts, or festivals
- Have a family movie night in the backyard
- Explore your local library and their summer activity schedules
Pack Snacks & Meals
Food is one of the biggest hidden costs during summer outings.
Instead of eating out every time:
- Pack a cooler with drinks, sandwiches, and snacks
- Plan picnics at parks or beaches to elevate the setting
- Let your kids help prepare and plan meals
Not only will you save money, but you’ll also avoid long lines and last-minute splurges.
Set a Summer Spending Budget
Giving your summer spending a clear limit helps you stay in control.
Break it down and stay committed to:
- Entertainment
- Food & Dining
- Travel
Easily track your spending with our online banking application. After logging into your account, navigate to the Financial Tools section on your home screen. You can link external accounts and credit cards within the Financial Tools section to view spending across institutions in one place. Please review our Privacy Policy for details on how your information is used and shared when you connect external accounts. You can also assign spending categories and set specific budgets for areas like entertainment and travel, helping you stay accountable to your summer budgeting goals.
Give Your Kids Their Own Budget
Summer is a great time to teach your children about money.
Give your kids a small weekly cash allowance for treats or activities and let them decide how to spend or save it. This builds smart money habits early. Note: Our online banking tools are designed for adult account holders.
Make Memories and Save Money This Summer
The best part of summer isn’t how much you spend, but it’s the time you spend together. By being intentional with your money, you can enjoy all the season has to offer without the stress of overspending.
A simple day at the park, a homemade picnic, or a backyard game night can be just as meaningful (and often more memorable) than expensive outing.
Remember: You can monitor your transaction history and account activity by logging into your online banking application here: Account Services | Guaranty Bank
Note that some transactions may take time to post or reflect in your account balance.
The Financial Tools section is available at no additional charge to eligible account holders.