Let’s break down how to surf through summer savings without wiping out. Summer is supposed to be about sun, fun, and making memories—but let’s be real, it can also be one of the most expensive seasons of the year. Between vacations, kids’ camps, extra groceries (because somehow, they’re always eating?!), and last-minute outings, the costs add up FAST.

That’s why I start planning early. By setting aside money ahead of time and using cashback apps, budgeting tools, and a mix of free and paid activities, I make sure our summer is just as fun, but way less stressful.

Planning for summer savings

I hate financial surprises, especially when they come in the form of unexpected summer costs. That’s why I break summer expenses into categories and start setting aside money months in advance.

Here’s how I plan for summer expenses:

1️⃣ 🏝️ Travel – Road trips, flights, hotel stays, park tickets, gas money
2️⃣ 🎭 Kids’ Activities – Summer camps, sports programs, entertainment
3️⃣ 🍉 Extra Groceries – More meals at home, BBQs, snacks for road trips
4️⃣ 🎟️ Outings & Fun Money – Amusement parks, beach days, day trips, concerts

How I Make This Work:

✔ Set a goal amount – I estimate what we’ll need based on last year’s spending.
✔ Start a summer savings fund – Even saving a little each month adds up fast.
✔ Use sinking funds – I break big expenses (like a vacation) into smaller monthly savings goals.

🔹 Try This: Take 5 minutes today to list out your summer expenses and set a realistic savings goal.

Using Cashback Apps to Save on Essentials

You know how kids somehow eat 12 times a day during summer? (Seriously, how do they do that?)

That’s why I use cashback apps to save on groceries, gas, and online shopping all year—then cash out rewards in the summer for extra spending money.

My Go-To Cashback Apps:

✔ 🏆 Fetch – Earn points just by scanning receipts (literally free money).
✔ 💰 Ibotta – Cashback on groceries and everyday purchases.
✔ 🛍️ Rakuten – Cashback on online shopping (I stack this with sales to save even more).
✔ ⛽ Upside – Saves on gas (because summer road trips = $$$).

How This Works:

✔ I scan all receipts into Fetch Rewards and Ibotta—it’s easy, free money.
✔ I cash out rewards for Amazon, Target, or travel gift cards before summer.
✔ I use Rakuten when buying summer or back to school essentials to earn cashback.

🔹 Try This: Download one cashback app today and start stacking those rewards!

Mixing Free & Paid Activities for a Budget-Friendly Summer

Listen, I love a good amusement park or water park day, but those tickets add up FAST.

That’s why I mix in free and low-cost activities to balance out the expensive ones.

Free (or Almost Free) Summer Fun Ideas:

✔ Beach or Lake Days – Pack snacks and make a whole day of it!
✔ Hiking & Nature Walks – Bonus: tires out the kids.
✔ Backyard Movie Nights – All you need is a projector (or just a TV outside).
✔ DIY Water Park – Sprinklers, water balloons, slip n’ slide = summer fun.
✔ Library Summer Programs – Fun (and educational, but don’t tell them that).
✔ Local Festivals & Free Events – Check city calendars for summer concerts & markets.

When We Splurge:

✔ One big summer trip or getaway – We pick ONE major trip and budget for it. (For us though, it tends to be during Spring Break as we discussed a few weeks ago)
✔ Special experiences – We choose 1-2 “big” outings (like a water park or concert).
✔ Season passes – If we plan to visit a place multiple times, a pass is cheaper than individual tickets.

🔹 Try This: Plan out 3 free summer activities that you can do this month!

Budgeting for Summer Treats & Extra Fun

Summer = ice cream runs, road trip snacks, and “Mom, can I have this?” at every turn.

Instead of saying no to everything, I set aside a “fun money” budget that lets us enjoy treats without guilt.

How I Do It:

✔ Use cash envelopes for things like ice cream stops or treat runs.
✔ Give the kids a set budget for vacation spending—when it’s gone, it’s gone!
✔ Take advantage of summer deals (hello, BOGO ice cream nights).

🔹 Try This: Set a small weekly “fun budget” for spontaneous summer treats.

Final Thoughts: Summer Should Be Fun, Not Stressful

You don’t have to spend a fortune to have an amazing summer. A little planning, smart spending, and a good mix of free and paid activities can help you create memories without financial stress.

✨ Your challenge: Pick ONE money-saving habit to try this week!
Let me know what you’re working on—I’d love to hear how it helps!

📌 Want more tips? Tune into Episode 13 of The Aloha Life!

🎧 Show Notes: Episode 13 – Surfing Through Summer Savings

Episode Summary:

This week on The Aloha Life, we’re talking about how to prepare financially for summer—so you can enjoy the season without feeling broke by July.

What You’ll Learn:

✔ How to plan summer expenses so there are no surprises
✔ My go-to cashback apps for earning money on everyday purchases
✔ How to mix free and paid activities to keep summer fun & budget-friendly
✔ My top tips for budgeting summer treats & extra spending

Links & Resources Mentioned:

• Fetch Rewards (earn points just for scanning receipts)
• Ibotta (cashback on groceries)
• Rakuten (cashback for online shopping)
• Upside (cashback on gas)

📌 Listen now on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app!

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@alohalifepodcast/podcasts
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3j7uoSRw9s35tkVMG5kFEj
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-aloha-life-podcast/id1788201953