This guest post comes to us from Chelsea at Snag Free Samples. Check them out now for the latest top free samples by mail!
Spring is just around the corner, which (thankfully!) means warmer weather, spring cleaning, and spring break for the kids.
Now is the perfect time to take a look at your spending habits and see where you can cut back, or even earn a bit of extra money, as you prepare for springtime. Here are seven easy tips to get you started and help you make the most of springtime saving!
Spring cleaning for your closet
Now is the perfect time to get rid of those clothes you don’t wear anymore. If they’re under a year old, many shops, such as Plato’s Closet, will pay you for them! While you’re clearing out old clothes, search for sales on summer apparel. Stock up early before the spring rush.
Another approach: organize a garage sale. It’s another easy way to make money. Try to hold your sale on one of the first warm-weather weekends of the season; you’ll gain more traffic as neighbors venture out of their houses to enjoy the nice weather.
Spring cleaning for your car
Winter can be rough on cars. As warmer spring weather approaches, skip the automated car wash, and wash your car at home! It’s a fun family activity and a way to enjoy a spring day outside, rather than spending money at the automated car wash.
Spruce up your home and yard on a budget
While it may not always be the most fun family activity, yard work is certainly a productive way to get your family working together on a worthwhile project: transforming your home’s look! When it’s time to replant, re-mulch, or redecorate, plan ahead before heading to the nursery or home improvement store. You’ll avoid buying too many bags of mulch or the wrong type of flowers.
- Another tip: consider doing your own lawn and garden maintenance, rather than hiring a professional landscaper. You’ll save money, plus you might find a new hobby! You can even get free lawn and garden advice by attending a home show in your area.
While it may not always be the most fun family activity, yard work is certainly a productive way to get your family working together on a worthwhile project: transforming your home’s look! When it’s time to replant, re-mulch, or redecorate, plan ahead before heading to the nursery or home improvement store. You’ll avoid buying too many bags of mulch or the wrong type of flowers.
- Another tip: consider doing your own lawn and garden maintenance, rather than hiring a professional landscaper. You’ll save money, plus you might find a new hobby! You can even get free lawn and garden advice by attending a home show in your area.
Carpool
Springtime seems to be one of the busiest times of the school year for kids and parents alike. That usually means lots of drives to and from soccer practice, school musical rehearsals, and everything in between. With lots of drives comes lots of expensive trips to the gas station.
Get in touch with other parents with busy kids and organize a carpool. Take the stress out of being your child’s chauffeur by switching off driving duties with other parents. Your calendar and wallet will thank you!
Spend a relaxing weekend at home
Springtime always brings plenty of rain. Why not spend a weekend at home with the family instead of walking or driving out in the rain? Challenge yourself to spend little to no money over the course of the weekend, and have a blast playing board games, watching a DVD, and making meals using ingredients you already have in the pantry. It’s a simple, yet fun way to bond with your family without breaking the bank.
Lower your energy bill
Springtime is a great time to do a quick energy assessment of your home appliances. Making sure your heating and cooling systems are running efficiently, as well as all other appliances, is an easy and smart way to save a decent amount of money. Energy.gov provides some excellent tips for conducting an energy assessment. Add this to your spring cleaning routine!
Plan your summer vacation now
Book your travel and hotel for summer vacation now to save money. Sign up for sites like Kayak to find the best deals and receive alerts on low prices for airfare and lodging. Don’t wait until school’s out to start booking your trip; prices will increase substantially by then! Book now to cut out the stress of scrambling to find a hotel room in a popular tourist location later.
We hope these tips put you in a springtime mood! Get ready to shake the wintertime blues; warmer weather is almost here! In the meantime, remember to check out Snag Free Samples for the latest fresh free samples!
