7 Money Traps That Come Around at the Start of Every Summer
Written by
Jennifer Taylor
Edited by
Gary Dudak
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Summer living might be easy, but it isn’t cheap. The most relaxed season of the year is here, and so are the expenses that come with it.
No doubt, summer can be a ton of fun. Many communities even offer a lot of low-cost activities to keep your family entertained, but there’s also no shortage of overhead expenses.
Sure, you can probably avoid some of these, but others aren’t as optional. The best way to avoid spending your summer stressed over these expenses is to anticipate them and work them into your budget.
When possible, try to look back and see what you paid for these costs last year in order to budget as closely as possible. Here’s a look at seven money traps you might incur this summer.
Summer Travel
“Saving and planning your spending is the secret to a wonderful vacation experience,” said Anne Marie Ferdinando, member outreach manager at Navy Federal Credit Union. “It may seem obvious, but putting aside money every paycheck — while not letting your monthly expenses slip — is the best way to make sure you’re not making a dent in your financial goals.”
She recommended opening a separate savings account solely for vacation expenses. This will both help you save money and better gauge what you can afford.
“Figure out how much money you can spend on your trip,” she said. “A deliberate spending plan will help you to fully enjoy your excursions and remain in the moment of memory making — and help you to avoid that post vacation regret of an unplanned credit card balance.”
She said this will help you avoid making impulse purchase that majorly disrupt your household budget. To save money, she also advised getting creative with your vacation.
“Skip the popular tourist spots and you will surely be rewarded with some rich memories,” she said. “Try local cafes’, bookstores, parks, any place that will give you a chance to interact with people at little to no cost.”
When it’s time to eat, she recommended going a bit off the beaten path.
“Dining costs can quickly derail the best plans, so consider asking some friendly locals where they would eat out,” she said. “Instead of the glitzy touristy restaurant areas, you may be able to find a less expensive and more authentic meal in a family restaurant.”
Summer Camp
School’s out for the summer, but your kids still need something to do — especially if you’re at work. Summer camp is a tried-and-true generational tradition, but it typically isn’t cheap.
The average cost of day camp is $50-$500 per week, according to TrustedCare. Significantly more, sleepaway camp costs $1,000-$2,000 per week.
Swim Club Membership
If you don’t have a swimming pool in your backyard or housing complex, you might need to join a swim club. This can provide endless hours of entertainment in the fresh air, but you’ll pay for it.
You can easily pay thousands for a summer pool membership, but many local communities offer cheaper rates at city pools. For example, a 2024 Cincinnati Recreation Commission pool membership for a 3-6 member household is just $120 for an entire year.
Summer Wardrobe
For many people, the arrival of a new season necessitates a wardrobe update. If you have young kids, this is especially true, as they may have outgrown their summer clothes from last year.
Of course, costs for a summer wardrobe update can vary greatly, according to how much and where you’re buying clothes. Avoid overspending by making a budget and taking inventory to see exactly what you need before shopping.
Landscaping
If you live in a cooler climate, you probably don’t have to mow your lawn or perform much yard maintenance during most seasons. However, you can’t get away with this in the summer months.
Many homeowners handle these tasks on their own, but if you don’t have the desire or ability, it’s time to call the professionals. Plan to spend around $50-$250 each time your lawn is mowed or even up to $125-$450 if additional maintenance is needed, according to Angi.
Home Maintenance
Winter can be tough on a home, so it’s time to give yours a little care to make sure key components are in good working order. One of the most important tasks can be tuning up your air conditioner, which costs an average of $75-$200, according to HomeAdvisor.
If you’re planning to spend time on your deck this summer, you might also want to have it stained, which averages just over $700. It might also be a good idea to have your asphalt driveway resurfaced, which costs an average of $3,000.
Wedding Guest Expenses
Wedding season has arrived. It’s no secret that hosting a wedding is expensive, but even attending one can add up fast.
The average cost to attend a wedding is $580 per person, according to The Knot. Breaking it down further, attending a wedding based in your hometown averages $250 per person, rising to $680 per person when driving to an out-of-town wedding and around $1,600 when flying to out-of-town nuptials.
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