Summer always looks expensive on the internet: iced matcha runs, beach trips, skincare resets, shopping hauls and concert tickets every other weekend. But in real life? Most girls are working with a budget (esp. given the current state of the economy).
Here’s the good news: You actually don’t need a big bank account to live out your cool girl summer dreams. Ahead, we’re breaking down how to have ~the most~ fun this vacay—and save some hard-earned cash while you’re at it.
Redefine what treating yourself actually means
A big misconception is that saving money = no more fun stuff. We’re here to tell you that just isn’t true. The real key is choosing intentional little treats instead of constant spending. Think: an acai bowl run with a friend once a week (not every day), a new lip gloss that actually lasts you all summer instead of five random ones you forget about or a thrifted tank top that becomes your “signature” piece. It’s not about cutting everything out. It’s about making the things you *do* splurge on feel special (instead of a daily occurrence).
Your friends ride their bikes to Starbucks every morning together? You don’t have to give up your iced latte era. Instead, try ordering a small instead of a large, going once a week instead of daily or trying DIY iced coffee at home and making it feel aesthetic (cute cup and DIY vanilla syrup included). It’s the same vibe, but with less damage to your wallet.
Make a summer flex budget
You don’t need a complicated spreadsheet—just split your money into simple categories (you can easily do this on most mobile banking apps or just on your Notes app). First are essentials (transportation, phone bills, anything you have to pay for on a regular basis), second is fun money (coffee, shopping, outings) and third is savings (even $5–$20 a week adds up). Putting your money into buckets helps you easily visualize how much you’re working with—and where exactly it’s going.
The “one good thing” rule
We get it, it’s easy to add a hundred new beauty products to your Sephora cart when you’re scrolling TikTok and see influencers showing off their massive hauls. But spending all your dough on ten different blushes and hyaluronic acid serums just isn’t the move.
Instead of buying a bunch of random makeup or skincare products, pick one (yes, one) amazing lip product you’ll actually finish, one go-to summer fragrance and one face wash. When you’re trying to budget, buying multiples of the same product just adds extra stress to your bank account.
Let’s get thrifty
Fast fashion adds up, well, fast. And when you need new outfits for the family beach trip, your BFF’s pool party and two whole weeks at summer camp, your money will drain more quickly than you can smash “add to cart.”
Thrifting doesn’t just save money—it gives you pieces no one else has and can be a fun thing to do with your besties. Go in and pick out outfits for each other and have a fashion show in the fitting rooms!
Free fun is actually underrated
Not every summer memory has to cost money, and tbh, some of the best ones don’t. You can grab your best friends or siblings and do cost-free activities like sunset walks with music, beach bonfires, Pinterest board planning nights or an at-home movie night with snacks your parents already have.
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Images: @saraxjoy, @laurenkkim0, @katiefang, @nicolettedurazzo
