School’s out for summer! To-do lists are shorter. Days are longer. And I’m actually sticking to my word and not teaching summer school. While that certainly makes room for relaxation, summer is also the perfect time for us to make some new money moves. Here’s our plan:
Get outside. Make no mistake about. There’s an entire industry designed to make you think that being outside needs to be expensive. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t. Now, if I was going to take up through-hiking on the Continental Divide, I might be inclined to grab some gear. But for the kinds of hikes we do, gym shoes, backpacks, some sunscreen, and some bug spray will do just fine.
Scenes from hiking trails nearby this past spring
Use what you have. Here’s where I show off my ability to talk out of both sides of my mouth. I just said getting outside doesn’t have to be expensive. Now, I’m going to tell you that I bought a kayak. It’s true. I did. I bought the cheapest one I could find that seemed like it would withstand exactly the type of paddling I would do. It cost $250. Six years ago. I use it spring, summer, and fall, and I even hefted myself into when I was 25, 30, and even 35 weeks pregnant. With lighter schedules, this is the perfect time for us to make use of what we already own.
Do curb checks. So far, my son’s favorite toys were from someone’s curb. Ditto for two plastic swimming pools and a sled. We’ve also accepted a ton of hand-me-downs. I felt a little guilty at first, but now I am team second-hand all the way. I’m fairly confident that if there are any other summer fun items that he needs, we can probably scoop them up for free.
Decluttering and reselling. Instead of trying to resell all my clutter, I’m adopting a much simpler approach. The big ticket items can go on Poshmark or local resale sites. Everything else is either getting donated or headed to consignment. To keep the green theme going, though, I am going to try to donate in my local resale groups or by posting curb alerts of my own. My hope is that we can walk away with an extra $500 headed toward our mortgage by the end of summer.
Going green. Last year, I got really good at turning down the thermostat. I thought I could hang at our usual 78 during the day, 76 at night, but then I realized that I was a walked pregnancy cliche. When it hit 90 outside and I turned in Violet, I went rolling running for the AC. This summer, we plan on keeping it warmer inside, switching out the rest of our lighting for LED, and making a few other green changes.
Eating greens. I’m still not entirely convinced the gardening is always an exercise in frugality, but it is nice to do a lot of the meal planning based around what we grow. I’m also working on finding more meatless meals to add to our repertoire. If we are going to eat meat, it is only at dinner time. My hope is that I will find enough recipes and inspiration from my garden this summer that we can go totally meatless at least several days a week. (No, dear husband, in the off chance that you are reading this, that does not mean cheese pizza on the grill from breakfast, lunch, and dinner.)
Side hustling strategically. I’m focusing on ghostwriting and freelancing this summer. I can work from anywhere, and I want my summer break to feel more like a mini-retirement and less like the school year.
This is what summer looks like!
Setting up other investments. Our Roths are already maxed for the year, which means that I get to continue my obnoxious happy dance on Twitter each month when we can throw a bunch of money at our mortgage debt. But I recently discovered that I now have the option of opening a 403(b) that I can manage myself. My work still won’t partner with Vanguard (no one is perfect but this is a serious character flaw), but I’m so thrilled to have an option that doesn’t involve annuities or a broker.
Climbing the income ladder. I aspire to earn six figures. I would like to get there sooner rather than later. Tomorrow sounds nice. But alas, I’m beholden to my district’s salary schedule. Still, I am working on maxing it out by finishing up my last graduate course ever. While it isn’t always true that you have to spend money to make money, it certainly is the case here.
Getting sushi. You read that right. My plan is to go out for sushi at least once a month. Because we can. And it’s my favorite. And because I need to get better at spending money happily.
So Tell Me…What are you doing with your money this season?
Oh I’m a little jealous! We have three days of school left and I have mountains of testing and paperwork. But it’s three days! 🙂
Good for you for taking time off and not teaching summer school! I’ll be taking a graduate course (or two) and freelancing (and moving!!!) but other than that, I’m spending this summer getting unpacked and trying to get the lay of the land in our new place. Getting excited about exploring our local trails but we’ll have to see how much we’re able to do outside in NC summers.
Enjoy your first week off!!
I am so excited for your summer, Laurie! It sounds like it will be full of adventures. I have one more graduate course to finish, and I cannot wait! I love school, but I’m really looking forward to being done.
How hard is it to not think about that “lost revenue” but revel in that “gained time?” I am doing some of that and thinking about all the work I can add in the fall to make up for taking off the month of July. I am getting better at eating the food that I buy and not doing as much takeout. I’m thinking of how I can reduce expenses. And, one other money move I’m making is investing in myself and current obsessions (language learning and traveling).
Amanda, hi! I’m so glad that you are continuing to invest in yourself. Hooray for language and travel! I am so inspired by how passionate you are about both. Have a lovely summer!
I finally set up a business checking account and am weaning myself off of co-mingled personal and business finances. Not yet to the point of paying myself, but it’s cool to be able to pay my car insurance with the money the car has brought in for me.
I’m also trying to get outdoors more (hard to do in summer when it’s 90° and/or thunderstorming here) but I went for a 6.3 mile walk on the beach yesterday morning! Other people have to spend thousands to get some time away on the beach, while it’s just a half hour drive and a few bucks in gas for me… I have to remind myself to take advantage of that fact.
Love the point about kayaking. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how so many people feel the need to invest financially in multiple hobbies. That can obviously become expensive so quickly. Hobbies are great, but there is no way I could do all the hobbies I wanted. Instead, I choose one or two to invest in and really commit to!
Yes! It’s one thing to try them out. It’s something entirely to buy all of the gear. Where do people put everything? I suppose that’s why no one in my neighborhood has space to park in their garages. 🙂
You go girl! These all sound like great moves, but especially the sushi! Can you pretty please move to NC so we can hike and kayak and eat sushi together? 😉
Right?! My favorite cousin in the world recently relocated to North Carolina. I’m hoping to make my way out to see him soon!
The Oldsters are moving from Main Street where our lot is 0.10 acres to a 3.5 acre mini-homestead (small enough to easily walk the property, large enough to need a lawn tractor). So our money moves this Summer are going to be focused on getting the most out of Oldster Acres.
Sounds like your plans are challenging, but very doable. Good luck, Penny and enjoy your Summer.
That is amazing! A mini-homestead! ::swoons:: I hope you have a terrific go of it.
Sounds like a great summer to come. I’m planning to use what I have by hanging out at the pool (I pay for it in HOA dues whether I use it or not). It’s a great way to relax and to meet and chat with the neighbors. I also plan to do more walking outside and make use of my town’s parks.
Our big money move is that we are making the final payment on our car (and what I swear is our final car payment ever…next car will be used and paid with cash). Now that monthly amount can go toward savings–there’s some work we’d like to do around the house–or toward prepaying the mortgage.
Woohoo to the final car payment! And soak up all of the time at the pool 🙂
I’m got into the Acorns bandwagon last week. I opened an account and literally investing my spare change on there and see how much I will get. Right now I’m putting in around $10 a month and see what it will get me.
Have you heard of Freecycle.org? If your area is active, this has revolutionized how we pick up kid items!
It looks like it is starting to become more active here! I am actually going to try getting rid of a few things that way this week. Thanks for the tip!
Yah sushi and spending happily! Especially since you don’t technically want to retire early. Life is for joy now and later.