June is here and Summer is just around the corner! Here are some ways you can tighten your belt this summer, and not just because of your summer beach bod!
Summer is the #1 time for free activities. Weather permitting, you can spend the entire season enjoying free parks, free beaches, free music and fun. Here are our tips for enjoying the Summer without breaking the bank.
Sunny Freedom and Summer Day-camp
When it comes to Summer Activities, some of the best ones are absolutely free! Take a trip to the beach and swim in the ocean. As long as you find a free parking spot, that trip will be free! Head to a city park for a quick jog, or hit up a State Park and take on one of the many hiking trails that are kept up to code by your state's government. Completely cost-free.
But the sad truth of the matter is the vast majority of us will have to continue working through the summer months. The only ones who are really free to enjoy the Summertime are our children. It's important to take advantage of any free time that both you and they will be able to share, so set aside some time during the weekends where you can hit up the aforementioned free fun.
When your children are young, you're going to need someone to take care of them while you're away during the day at work. Either a babysitter or a daycare program will do. Both of these are tax deductible, but there is also another way these can be utilized. If you work for a company that offers benefits to their employees, a portion of your paycheck may be taken to provide for these childcare expenses.
For the summer months, a good idea would be to enroll your kids into a summer program of their choice. These kinds of programs are designed to take the place or (and same amount of time as) a typical school day. You can find summer programs for all kinds of sports, arts, and even those that are scholastic-centered. Sit down with your child and choose the one they are most interested in and both you and they will find the advantages to a structured summer schedule that is geared towards the subjects that they love!
There is a benefit to taking this portion out of your paycheck when payroll is run instead of just accounting for it at the end of the year during tax season. By doing so, you will lower your taxable income and therefore owe less in taxes. Call us to find out more!
Summertime, and the Livin' (ain't always) Easy
A fun summertime activity for your kids could be that of the 'Summer Job'. Opening up a lemonade stand for the neighborhood, or having them help out in a garage sale, is a great way to instill a sense of responsibility and capitalism in your young'n. Kids are going to need money for any of the non-free summer activities they'll be planning this summer, so the extra cash will be a welcome benefit.
If your children are 14 years old or older, they could even start an official employment at a business. If they haven't already, make this summer the one where they begin banking. Help them open a Savings Account and support them as they try to find their Summer Job. They'll probably need transportation, so a bike or a bus pass might be a good investment. This next level of responsibility will instill in them a sense of freedom and independence.
There are some guidelines for a minor's employment that basically limit the number of hours they can work and what kind of work environments they are allowed to be at. If you own a business and you'd like to hire your child to work for you, make sure to follow these guidelines perfectly. If you'd like to know more, give us a call!
“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” — William Shakespeare
Beat the Heat
You'll want to take advantage of free air-conditioning as much as possible. Here are some ways to do just that :
Movies - Let's start with the obvious. The movies are a great way to beat the heat during the summer. But did you know that you could find huge savings for the movies at 'Buy-In-Bulk' stores, such as Costco? You can buy packs of 10 tickets for a reduced amount. If you plan on going to the movies more than once this summer, it may be smart to pick up a bundle. You can also check out movies for free from the library.
Museums - Many museums across the country offer free admission to their buildings and exhibits. Even the rare museum that requires paid entry is reasonably priced most of the time. This summer, grab some sweet, sweet AC along with a side of culture!
Malls - A trip to the mall could be better than you think. No one ever said you HAVE to buy something when you go to the mall. Just take a trip, take a stroll, and check out the inventory at all the stores, all while enjoying the AC. While you're there, take special notice of the prices of everything. You are guaranteed to find at least some of the same items online for a cheaper price. Take this research opportunity and turn it into savings on your next purchase! As they say, a penny saved is a penny earned.
“When I figured out how to work my grill, it was quite a moment. I discovered that summer is a completely different experience when you know how to grill.”—Taylor Swift