The Dog Days of Summer: Don’t Let Boredom Get in the Way of Your Budget

July 26, 2013

After a week off, I’m officially back in the office, sitting at my desk and staring at a checking account that looks a lot different than it did before I left for summer vacation. What I mean to say is … the numbers I’m looking at are much smaller. Given that I’m no longer in school, summer vacation is essentially over for me, and the “dog days of summer” – and the sweltery boredom that often coincides with the end of the season – are officially beginning to set in….Augh.

Obviously, people don’t always make smart decisions when they’re bored. Ever found yourself eating simply because you’re bored? How about spending unnecessary money just because it’s something to do? Hey – I’ve done it, most of us have done it, but unfortunately boredom can get in the way of our long-term financial goals if we let it.

With the swelter season of late summer in full swing, it’s important for consumers like you and I to stay focused on maintaining our budgets, sticking to the long-term goals we’ve set forth and not letting the heat – and the boredom – get the best of our bank accounts. So if you find yourself feeling the urge to spend simply to turn those end-of-summer blues around, here are a few alternatives that will keep you feeling good about yourself and your money.

Skip the mall, hit the gym.

Instead of breaking out your credit card, consider strapping on your running shoes and hitting the road for a casual summer jog. Sure, it may not be as appealing to you as late-summer clearance sales or checking out the latest pre-fall fashions. But getting the worth out of your gym membership rather than running up a considerable balance on your charge card will keep both your body and your budget in great shape. And hey – it’s something to do to keep busy during the lazy summer afternoons ahead. (Of course, if you’re working out the old-fashioned way outside, remember to stay within your limits and keep hydrated to stay as safe as you can in the summer heat.)

Be selective about seeing summer blockbusters.

Look, I’m not a professional movie critic. But this summer’s movie schedule has been pretty…blah. And at $12 a pop per ticket (pre-snacks), the cost of a summer afternoon at the theater is frighteningly expensive. So why spend your money on cinematic garbage when there’s probably a long list of classics you’ve yet to catch up on on Netflix? Rather than concede your hard-earned cash for some hard-to-swallow cinema, microwave your own popcorn and take advantage of the slightly-more-modest (but ultimately much cheaper and more comfortable) entertainment system in your living room.

Break out the barbecue.

I actually wrote about this in a previous post, but I’m still convinced that very few things in life beat a summer backyard barbecue with friends. Rather than dining out every other night or slaving over a hot stove indoors, consider dusting off the BBQ tongs, firing up the charcoal and enjoying an old-fashioned (and inexpensive) American food experience. Finally…

Stay out of your car and hop on your bike.

Even with some credit cards offering bonus cash back for gas purchases this summer, the cost of a gallon of gas is steadily on the rise. As of July 26^th, the average gallon of gas cost $3.66 in the United States according to GasBuddy.com. That’s up 12 cents from the same time last month with little relief in sight.

Remember when you could get in your car and just drive for the sake of driving? Well, those days are unfortunately over. But a cheaper and healthier alternative – strapping on your helmet and getting out for a bike ride – is still very much an excellent option to cure that summer daze. Explore areas of your own city or town from a whole new perspective or use your bike for the everyday errands you would other wise get done on four wheels rather than the more economical two. Again, you’ll build your budget while building stamina without sacrificing much of anything.

You know that saying, a dollar saved is a dollar earned? That’s the idea as we hit the dog days of July and August …