Summer spending can be as bad as Christmas. Here are six cash-burning temptations you need to watch out for

I’m bumping these tips to the top of your reading list because as it turns summer spending, when unchecked, can be nearly as high as it is for major holidays like Christmas, according to a study by LendEDU.

Here are a some money-blowing summer temptations you’ll want to watch out for:

The patio meetup bonanza

Drinks, dinner, apps, desserts; when the summer heat and gorgeous patio lanterns are on, you’re tempted to order all the things. Stick to one or two drinks, split a few menu items to avoid individual orders, skip the dessert and appetizers and take advantage of happy hour specials versus peak times. The huge money-savers however, will be fewer patio meetups at less expensive places. Work these patio expenses into your budget.

Cramming too much into your calendar

Running groups, festivals, trips, book clubs, tennis lessons, car shows and camping. If your calendar is so full you’re already booking into mid-September, you might be heading toward some serious overspending — and possibly burnout. Every fun activity you have planned has a cost — time and money. Tally it all up to see what your crammed calendar is really going to cost you.

Need a quick fix? Reduce plans. Cut them in half and focus on the ones that will really fill your cup, and are also the most economical. Enjoy those to the absolute fullest and work them into your budget. Whatever you do, try hard to avoid last-minute bookings for activities and travel.

Overbuying fresh seasonal foods — then letting them rot

Believe me, I get tempted at the farmer’s market. It’s a sensory overload, and it also happens to be at the bottom of my street. The way to get around overbuying fresh produce? Stick to your weekly meal plan.

If you like eating well, especially during summer, set out to incorporate the seasonal foods into your meals buying only what you need. Take into account if you are travelling or going out; if so, buy less. Unfortunately, summertime fresh food waste tallies up to more than $100 a month for a family of four in Canada according to The National Food Waste Council and Second Harvest. That extra cash could go to better use.

Falling for the ‘I don’t have anything in my closet’ narrative

My closet is still a bit stuck in 2018 (pre-pregnancies and pre-pandemic). Slowly I’m swapping pieces out for the current styles and trends each season. A helpful book to check out is Ines de la Fressange and Sophie Gachet’s “Parisian Chic: A Style Guide,” which encourages investing in a better quality, more sustainable wardrobe; less fast fashion, and a focus on core essentials for every season. I’ve been following along with the suggestions to review what I already have, keep the great pieces, then slowly add the pieces I’m missing. In the process, I’m selling off and donating what’s no longer fashionable.

Before you blow the doors off spending at the mall, purge your closet. Go piece-by-piece to see what you’ve got. Organize it in a way that is easy for you to track. Get rid of things that don’t fit, are broken and anything uncomfortable. If you’ve got a designer bag you’re not using, sell it. Make a list of what you want to buy and focus on adding a few of those items, working these purchases into your budget. Taking time with this process will allow you to comparison shop.

Travelling way beyond your means

It is OK to go on vacation — in fact, you probably should. But be smart about planning your getaway. Make a budget for flights, car rentals, gas, hotels, camp sites, meals and entertainment. By planning in advance, you can use points to pay for some of these purchases, save up a little bit each week and take advantage of coupons and discounts. The “I’ll deal with it when the credit card bill shows up” approach is a surefire way to leave you deep in debt.

A few more quick wins to bring your vacation costs down are to reduce the duration of the holiday. Avoid peak times like weekends, focus on a blend of free and paid activities, skip the junkie souvenirs and pack as much of your own food and snacks as you can.

Going wild entertaining your kids

Camps, amusement parks, shopping and activities. Some families are planning to fork out hundreds (or thousands) to give their kids something to do this summer. Believe me, I’m a mom and I get the importance of enriching experiences — but not at the expense of your family’s financial wellness. My advice is to focus on a few key activities that your kids really want to do. Then, leave room for low-to-no-cost entertainment like swimming, books, picnics, park play and more. You’ll save money and you’ll all be more rested.

If you want to keep that amazing summer vibe high, mindful spending will ensure you aren’t worried about money.

This article was originally published in The Star. Lesley-Anne Scorgie is a Toronto-based personal finance columnist and a freelance contributing columnist for the Star.