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Frugal Summer Tips 2025→ 2

 

School is out and kids are home for the summer.    This means activities to organize, more snacking, and temperatures rising.     Here are some tips and tricks to keep the kids fed, engaged, and cool.    


Energy prices continue to rise, and families are feeling the pinch.    When more people are at home, our energy prices typically increase because we use more energy through lights, air conditioning, watching TV, or using our computers.  


Tips for Keeping Cool without AC

Our summer break has started unseasonably cool, so staying cool without using the AC is currently easier. 


Decrease Adding Heat

Tips and Tricks


  1. I close the curtains.    This prevents the sun from heating up the inside of your home as much.      

  2. I keep doors closed, which is harder than it sounds with kids.   If you are using air conditioning, this will help to keep the cool air in your living space.   

  3. By carefully planning the use of your stove, you will prevent the temperature of your home from rising.     Instead of planning meals that require me to turn on my oven, I will grill, use the crockpot, or not require oven use.    These meals include: salads, day 2 meal remakes (microwave only), sandwich night, or leftover night. 

  4. If you need to use your oven, then choose to cook early in the morning or very late at night.    In addition, I will batch bake, which just means I cook multiple recipes at once. 


If you are interested in more ideas, I have previous posts on Keeping Cool without AC.  



Easy Frugal Summer Meals/Treats


Salads


Salads in any form are a great meal during the summer.   We will have a salad as the main meal and add fruit, bread, crackers, and cheese to round out the meal.   Vegetables are harvested from our garden, or are at a low price point in the grocery store.  We make a large salad bowl and eat off it for several days.   This saves time, energy, and expense→ everything is ready to go.   

Summer Salad→ 2025 Post to come

July 16, 2025


Living Large in the Cheap Seats


Summertime has a treasure trove of cheap or free activities for all ages.  The year-round activities continue to be available, but outdoor fun is added to the opportunities.   Our state has a rich state park system, which hosts special community activities.    There are festivals to visit, street parties, parades, etc.    


State Parks


State Parks in our area are free to use.    You can hike, walk on walking trails, and play disc golf year-round.  During the summer, they host special events, such as concerts, plays, children’s activities, and movies.      


If you are interested in more ideas, I have previous posts on Living Large in the Cheap Seats.   

  


Frugal Five


Each week, the Frugal Five post highlights the five things our family is doing to keep the cost of living down.     Some of these ideas are common sense, but it helps to get a reminder of the basics.      Some of the ideas are new strategies or techniques.  I am open to ideas and encourage beneficial comments.   Some general areas of ideas include: grocery shopping, shopping, meals, etc.        


If you’re interested in more ideas, here is a previous Frugal Five. 



What are some of your frugal tips and tricks to beat the heat and enjoy life on a budget? Leave a comment below.  


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