7 tips to save money this summer

With days now longer and warmer weather starting to become more frequent, we are all starting to look ahead towards the summer months. Naturally with better weather, we have more plans which often requires more money to finance them. Here we look at 7 ways to help you save over the summer so you can get the most out of this time of year, without the fear of missing out.

1. Create a summer budget and set goals

The best place to start is by creating a budget for the summer. This can be broken down into daily, weekly or monthly, whatever works best for you. Having clear goals about what you want to do over the summer not only provides motivation, but can also help piece together your summer budget accordingly.

Make note of your sources of income and then your necessary expenses, such as rent/mortgage payments, utility and food bills. Following this, allocate a segment of what remains into monthly discretionary spending (wants but non-essential things) and then into savings. Think about creating a designated summer savings pot, this will help you track and visualise your progress.

By establishing this budget, you can track your expenses and identify areas where you can cut back and save more money to put towards your summer ambitions.

 2. Automate your savings

It can be easy to spend money nonchalantly, especially if you have some spare at the end of the month sitting in your account. Instead of spending it on areas or things you don’t necessarily need, why not set up a standing order into your summer savings fund? This way you can slowly build up a small pot to then use when you require it most. Every little bit helps, and you may be surprised how much could be in your account in a few months’ time.

However, before deciding how much to put aside, be sure to have enough in your current account to pay for your necessary requirements first e.g. bills, rent, food. Otherwise, you may have to dip into your savings pot, defeating the point of the exercise.

3. Energy efficiency and making the most of lower energy bills

With a cost-of-living crisis and energy bills seemingly forever rising, higher temperatures will come as a relief for many as this will lead to lower household bills. Whilst this may be correct, utility bills can remain surprisingly high throughout the summer due to a variety of reasons e.g. increased use of fans or air conditioning.

As it gets warmer, to help save on energy costs, instead of using fans, consider opening windows around your house to create a steady airflow to keep your house cool. Additionally, with the clocks now changed, it’s lighter for longer, so make the most of this by keeping the curtains open for as long as you can and let the natural light in instead of keeping your lights on.

More tips include, hanging your washing outside instead of using a tumble dryer and ensuring your fridge runs as efficiently as possible. By cleaning and defrosting it regularly, the better it runs, thus using less electricity. These simple steps will help you save money on your bills.

You may find over the next few months that your monthly outgoings are decreasing with the use of less energy. Therefore, think about putting this extra bit of money into your summer savings pot instead of spending it. Putting it aside will certainly make a difference to your summer budget.

4. Think about subscriptions

With better weather, we find ourselves being out and about more, including being on holiday. Therefore, you may not be using your subscriptions as much as you normally would during the winter months.

From streaming service subscriptions like Netflix to gym memberships, you may find that you are not using them enough over the summer to warrant the cost you are paying each month.

Some subscription services will let you pause your account rather than cancel it altogether. By pausing these accounts, you will see your monthly outgoings reduce without even realising. Perhaps, in the longer term, you may recognise you can live without some subscriptions and decide to cancel them completely.

5. Have a spending cleanse

In the lead up to summer, create a time-frame which works best for you where you refrain from spending money on nice-to-have items. This can include new clothes, takeaways or going to the cinema. Use the thought of your summer activities as motivation to avoid unnecessary purchases.

This can be a very productive method to challenge yourself to create healthier money habits and save money. Once you see your outgoings reduce, it may open your eyes to any unnecessary purchases you’ve been making.

6. Look for holiday deals

If you haven’t booked your holiday already, it may be tempting to book one late. Last-minute deals have potential to offer great savings but often require flexibility on dates and destination. Although you may want to jump on the first deal you see, this may not be the best option. Ensure you do some thorough research on different websites for deals on flights and accommodation to try and save some money.

Also, why not consider a staycation instead? Almost half (46.6%) of Brits are looking forward to a full 7-night staycation in 2025*. Yes, the weather is a bit more unpredictable, but the UK has a wealth of attractions and opportunities for an unforgettable 2025 holiday. A staycation can offer ease and convenience compared with a trip abroad and can also help you cut costs too.

7. Enjoy cheaper activities

Having a fun and exciting summer doesn’t have to cost a fortune all of the time. With the warmer weather, why not explore and make the most of some great low cost or even free activities. Examples include picnics in the park with friends and family, trips to the beach, hikes or bike rides and visits to museums.

Inexpensive activities like these could save you valuable money which could be put aside for something more costly. Do some research to find affordable or free events going on in your area. You may find some great ideas on things you can do with loved ones which you didn’t even know about.

View our 7 tips to save this summer PDF here

*https://www.verdantleisure.co.uk/media/sianfbtr/verdant-leisure-travel-trends-2025.pdf