The Ultimate Summer Plans for Americans Beating Inflation and General Economic Spending

Smart Strategies to Enjoy Summer Fun Without Letting Inflation Deflate Your Wallet

Summer is here, and the sun is shining bright, but so is the reality of rising prices. Between the grocery store sticker shock and those seemingly unavoidable gas hikes, many Americans are wondering: How do I enjoy the ultimate summer without breaking the bank?

Fear not, savvy saver. You don’t have to cancel your vacation or skip that backyard BBQ. With some smart planning and a dash of creativity, you can still savor summer’s best moments while beating inflation and reigning in your spending.

Here’s your ultimate playbook for a fun, fulfilling, and financially friendly summer.

1. Embrace the Staycation (But Make It Epic)

Why spend hundreds on airfare when your own city is a treasure trove waiting to be explored? Staycations have come a long way and this summer, they’re your wallet’s best friend.

Rediscover Local Gems: Museums, parks, historic districts, or quirky cafes you’ve never been to? Now’s the time to play tourist in your hometown.

Picnic Like a Pro: Pack a basket with fresh local produce (or leftovers from the fridge!) and hit a nearby park for a relaxing outdoor meal.

Backyard Movie Nights: Set up a projector or just use a laptop for a movie marathon under the stars. Bonus points for popcorn and fairy lights.

2. Get Creative with Transportation

Gas prices might sting, but that doesn’t mean your summer plans have to stall.

Bike Adventures: Dust off that bicycle and explore local trails or bike-friendly neighborhoods. It’s free, eco-friendly, and a great workout.

Carpool Like a Boss: Planning trips with friends or family? Share rides to split gas costs and multiply the fun.

Public Transit Hacks: Many cities offer summer passes or discounted fares. Check your local transit authority for deals, it can be a surprisingly smooth way to get around.

3. Cook at Home, but Make It a Party

Eating out can drain your budget fast. Instead, transform cooking into a social event.

Theme Nights: Taco Tuesday, pasta night, or DIY pizza, invite friends over and let everyone customize their meal.

Farmers Market Finds: Fresh produce is often cheaper and tastier at farmers markets. Try seasonal fruits and veggies to keep costs low.

Batch Cook and Freeze: Make large batches of soups, stews, or casseroles to enjoy all week without extra effort or spending.

4. Affordable Outdoor Fun

Summer’s greatest pleasures are often free or low cost.

Beach Days: Pack your own snacks, sunscreen, anda good book. If the ocean’s too far, find a lake or river beach nearby.

Hiking and Nature Walks: By the way this is my favorite option. National and state parks often have free or low-cost entry. You’ll get exercise and fresh air without spending a dime.

Community Events: Many towns host free concerts, movie nights, or festivals during summer, check your local listings and mark your calendar.

5. Smart Shopping & Budget Friendly Gear

If you need new summer gear, smart shopping can save you a bundle.

Secondhand Treasures: Thrift stores and online marketplaces are goldmines for summer clothes, camping gear, and more.

Couponing & Deals: Use apps and websites to snag discounts before buying anything new.

DIY Upgrades: Sometimes a little creativity can revive what you already have, tie dye old shirts, repaint worn out chairs, or repurpose jars as garden planters.

6. Plan a Mini Trip, Not a Mega Expense

Vacations don’t have to be expensive getaways. Consider:

Weekend Road Trips: Choose destinations within a few hours’ drive to cut fuel and accommodation costs.

Camping: Whether in a tent or a budget-friendly cabin, camping offers a connection with nature and big savings.

Off Season Travel: If your schedule allows, travel during shoulder seasons when prices drop but weather’s still pleasant.

7. Keep an Eye on Your Energy Use

Summer energy bills can spike with air conditioning running full blast. Small habits make a difference:

Close Curtains During Peak Sun: Keep your home cooler naturally.

Use Fans: Fans use far less energy and keep you comfortable.

Unplug Devices: Chargers and appliances on standby still use electricity.

Final Thoughts

Inflation may be stubborn, but your summer doesn’t have to suffer. With a little planning and a big dose of creativity, you can craft a summer full of memories, without the dreaded sticker shock.

Remember, the best summers aren’t measured by how much you spend, but by the moments that make you smile. So grab your bike, invite a friend over, and soak up the sun. Your budget (and your sanity) will thank you.

How to Travel as a Couple Without Breaking the Bank

Love, Luggage, and the Art of Pretending You’re Not Broke Abroad

Let’s face it, adventuring with your partner is a fantasy wrapped in Pinterest boards, but the financial reality? Somewhere between “we’ll be fine” and “should we sell a kidney?” But never fear, aspiring globe trotters! Here’s your usable, sarcasm laced guide to romantic expeditions that won’t leave your wallet gasping for air.

1. The Almighty Budget Ritual (Mostly Symbolic)

Before embarking on any escapade, it's traditional to draft a financial plan. This rite is less about fiscal discipline and more about the illusion of adulting. Whip out a Google Sheet. Add thrilling categories like “housing,” “snacks,” “miscellaneous regrets,” and “bail money.”

Then, once you've allocated imaginary numbers to each section, ceremonially ignore them as soon as you're two airports deep and someone (definitely not you) insists on artisanal almond croissants that cost more than your monthly phone bill.

2. Picking a Place That Won’t Lead to Silent Resentment

Finding common ground on a location requires a level of diplomacy that would make the UN weep. One partner dreams of conquering ancient ruins. The other yearns to nap aggressively on a beach towel. Compromise with a third option: a city no one’s heard of, with just enough intrigue to justify a questionable decision.

For ideas, scour social feeds of influencers named something like “NomadicSaffron” or “ChakraAndChampagne.” Choose a destination based entirely on how it looks through the Clarendon filter, and not on its actual affordability, safety, or existence.

3. Accommodations: Rustic Vibes or Mold With a View

You may feel drawn to quirky rentals labeled “quaint” or “bohemian”—which is marketing speak for “questionable plumbing and probably haunted.” Shared bathrooms, bunk beds, or beds that are technically inflatable furniture with delusions of grandeur? All fair game, but seriously consider Airbnb properties on farms or tiny home villages you won't regret it.

If the rental’s rules include phrases like “don’t feed the ferrets” or “no chanting after midnight,” you’ve hit budget gold. Bonus points if your romantic retreat is located directly above a nightclub that exclusively plays early 2000s dubstep.

4. Packing: A Masterclass in Personal Space and Passive Aggression

There’s nothing like fitting two adult humans’ belongings into one mildly TSA approved suitcase to test compatibility. One of you packs three t-shirts, socks, and a dream. The other smuggles half a vanity drawer and three separate curling irons, just in case Iceland hosts a surprise fashion gala.

Want harmony? Use a system: one bag each, one shared bag for miscellaneous nonsense, and one emotional support pouch for when someone forgets to pack deodorant, you're welcome 

5. Getting There: The Budget Airline Hunger Games

Congratulations! You’ve booked a $14 flight. Here’s what it includes: a seat so cramped it defies the laws of geometry, no carry on, and the opportunity to pay $7 for a paper thin blanket that smells like vending machine Doritos. I'm not pointing fingers do yourself a favor and book the flight that won't leave your neck stiff and wallet empty. 

Flight deals to set your sights on savings

If you’re renting a car, prepare to reenact your favorite horror movie: “Lost in Suburbia: The GPS That Betrayed Us.” And if public transit is your method of choice, may your nostrils be strong and your patience stronger. That bus ride through the countryside may sound romantic until the driver stops mid route for what is described as a “goat emergency.”

6. Dining Delights: Shared Plates and Subtle Hostility

Builds intimacy by trying to “split a dish” while pretending you’re not counting fries. Economizing on meals often results in both of you nibbling resentfully at half portions while pretending that bread basket counts as dinner.

Explore local markets for some wallet friendly bites that may or may not be cooked to code so bring a lot of hot sauce or tums. Or stock up on mystery snacks from a convenience store and convince yourselves you’re “experiencing the culture.” Pro tip: if it’s vacuum sealed, aggressively spicy, and shaped like a tube, it’s either delicious or illegal in seven countries.

7. Activities That Cost Nothing (Including Your Enthusiasm)

Forget pricey tours. Why not walk six miles in the wrong direction for free? You’ll see the same sights, just from angles where the paint is peeling and nobody is selling selfie sticks. Museums with “donation suggested” signs are your new best friends, especially if you perfect the look that says “I would, but I left my euros in my other fanny pack.”

Nature also provides endless options, most of them mosquito laden and poorly marked. Forest trails, craggy coastlines, and public benches with questionable stains, true romance knows no price tag as long as there's a view.

8. Navigating Disagreements Without International Incidents

Even the happiest pair will hit a few potholes. Expect arguments over where to eat, who misread the bus schedule, and whether the third museum in a row was a personal attack. Disagreements are normal. So is yelling in whispers while smiling at strangers who definitely think you're honeymooning.

The trick is to embrace the inevitable clash. Find humor in the chaos. Laugh when one of you books a hostel with a mattress made of recycled foam and crushed dreams. Cry later in private, with snacks or just enjoy the moment together.

9. Expect the Unexpected and Lower Your Expectations

The weather will betray you. The “deluxe room” will have a leaky faucet and a view of a parking lot. A feral cat may adopt you. This is all part of the story you’ll tell your grandkids or, more realistically, your group chat.

The real memories come from mishaps, the time the zipline stopped mid air, or the day you both got sunburned and scammed. These are the moments you’ll look back on and say, “Wasn’t that awful? I’m so glad we did it together.”

10. Return Home Slightly Closer, Definitely Poorer

And just like that, your epic saga concludes. Your bank account whimpers. Your feet hurt. Your tolerance for airport pretzels has vanished. But look at you! You survived planes, trains, shared towels, and four kinds of public embarrassment.

You’ve tested the strength of your connection through missed connections. You’ve laughed in the face of overpriced tapas. And most importantly, you’ve done it all without financing the trip via pyramid scheme.

Final Thoughts

Exploring the world (or even just the next town over) with your significant other is like a crash course in logistics, diplomacy, and who snores the loudest. You don’t need a yacht or matching monogrammed luggage, just a sense of humor, low expectations, and maybe a few therapy sessions afterward.

So pack your bags, plan loosely, and let your shared misadventures become the glue that holds your romantic chaos together.

Bon voyage, bargain seeking duos.

A $300 Road Trip Across America: From East to West in Winter

Frugal, Frosty, and Free-Spirited: A Cross-Country Winter Journey

In January 2020, just two months before the world shut down, my boyfriend and I embarked on the road trip of a lifetime. Armed with $300, a rental minivan, and an insatiable thirst for adventure, we set out to conquer nearly 4,000 miles from the East Coast to the West Coast.  

You might be thinking, 'Are you two crazy?' How did we pull it off? And, most importantly, why? We’ve heard it all, but I’ll save those answers for another day. For now, I’m here to share our ultimate guide to road tripping North America in the middle of winter, an epic route filled with stunning sights, quirky stops, and a sprinkle of chaos.  

The Journey Begins: New York to Washington, D.C.

We hit the road on January 11, 2020, leaving New York State behind. Our first destination? Washington, D.C.  

“Why skip Pennsylvania?” you might ask. Truth is, we’d already explored plenty of quirky towns, lighthouses, and nature spots there on other trips. This journey was all about *NEW*, new sights, new adventures, and new memories.  

In D.C., we spent half a day soaking up the iconic monuments and glimpsing the White House. Traffic and time constraints kept us moving quickly, but we couldn’t resist diving into a few conspiracy theories about the city’s design before hitting the road again.  

Falling for the Ocean in Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach was my second time seeing the ocean, and it was love all over again. Visiting in January meant we had the beaches to ourselves an off season perk we savored.  

We cooked breakfast on the shore, letting the sound of waves set the perfect backdrop for deep conversations about life and our future. The clouds touched the horizon like a scene out of a mystical movie, making it one of the most magical stops on our trip.  

The Carolinas: Where Food Feels Like Home

Driving south, we accidentally crossed from North Carolina into South Carolina on the same day. Oops!  

This is where Southern cuisine began sneaking its way into our hearts, and waistlines. Between the mouthwatering BBQ and surprising gems like Indian cuisine in Charlotte, the Carolinas quickly became a foodie paradise. Don’t even get me started on the beautiful parks and warm, welcoming people.  

Georgia: A State That Feels Like Home

Ah, Georgia. The food, the culture, the city vibes it all holds a special place in my heart.  

We explored Atlanta’s Ponce City Market and Euclid Avenue, where unique shops and second hand stores gave me plenty of treasure hunting thrills. Though we missed out on seeing the iconic pink TRAP House up close (it was closed), just driving by was a cool experience.  

Mississippi’s Unintentional Comedy Gold

Mississippi gave us one of our funniest road trip memories. Picture this: an old man driving a pickup truck, pulling a car, which is pulling *another* truck bumper to bumper, all tied together with string. It screamed, “I don’t need your permission,” and we couldn’t stop laughing.  

Louisiana: A Feast for the Senses

In Louisiana, we immersed ourselves in the vibrant culture of New Orleans. Visiting during the off season meant quieter streets, which gave us the chance to savor the city’s French inspired architecture and iconic foods without the Mardi Gras crowds.  

Beignets at Café du Monde lived up to the hype, and brunch at the Ruby Slipper was unforgettable. The French Quarter was serene almost unrecognizable from the busy image it’s known for.  

Texas & New Mexico: Unexpected Turns

 

We crossed into Texas late at night, too exhausted to explore. Though it’s a regret, it’s a promise to return one day.  

New Mexico, however, offered a slice of cinematic nostalgia. Driving through Albuquerque gave us serious Breaking Bad vibes (if you know, you know). A spontaneous late night drive up a snowy mountain turned into the most breathtaking sunrise spot we’ve ever stumbled upon.  

Arizona: The Magic of Sedona

 

Sedona was everything people say it is: mesmerizing. The red rocks, the spiritual vortexes, and even the turquoise McDonald’s arches made it a place unlike any other.  

Sedona embodied the spirit of this trip saying *YES* to new experiences and embracing the unfamiliar. Scared? Say yes. Out of your comfort zone? Say yes. It’s a mantra that carried us through every twist and turn of this journey.  

Nevada: Vegas, Baby!

Las Vegas wasn’t new to me, but it felt like a completely different world this time around. We spent three weeks exploring the city both the glitz of the Strip and the hidden gems off it.  

If you’re curious about all the fun we found in Vegas, comment "Vegas, baby!" and I’ll spill the details in another blog.  

California: A Bittersweet Finale

California was the last leg of our road trip. Cloudy beach days and unexpected traffic led to some missteps, but we still found magic in the little moments like standing in as background extras for a game show filming in the mountains.  

Our time in California was cut short by the emerging health crisis that would soon change the world. But this wasn’t the end of our journey just the beginning.  

Looking Ahead

This adventure taught us to embrace change, solve problems on the fly, and say yes to life’s surprises. It’s a mindset we carry with us every day.  

Want to hear more about our travels? Subscribe to our Ko-fi for updates on how we navigated road tripping through COVID and what’s next for our 2025 travel plans. Who knows, we might even become travel buddies!