Summer spending is usually higher than during other times of the year. That’s because there’s more to do, see, and take care of around the home.

You may need to pay for childcare since the kids are out of school. You’re more likely to take a vacation since the weather is warmer. It’s often the best time of the year to attend to things like painting the outside of the house, landscaping your yard, and building a fence or deck too.

Luckily, there are many things you can do to help you regain control over your finances before your debt snowballs out of control. Try these strategies to get back on track.

Follow a Budget

Budgeting gets such a bad wrap since it suggests you need to suffer to get your finances under control. Fortunately, that’s not the case. A budget is just a tool that you use to help you understand how your spending.

Nowadays, creating a budget is dead simple. Use a free budgeting app to log your income and expenses so you can see where your money goes. Initially, it does take a bit of effort to record how you spend, but these apps also automate your transactions.

Review the Numbers

Perhaps the best thing about having a budget is that is provides clarity. Often times people don’t realize where there money’s going. They get their pay and then spend until their money’s gone. Then they reach for a credit card or buy now/pay later on whatever they want.

Of course, that’s money that has to be repaid down the road – somehow. Too much of this behavior when it comes to summer spending and your short-term debt quickly spirals out of control. There are many negative effects of carrying debt that you’ll want to avoid.

Plan Ahead

Budgeting is also about planning for the future. If you don’t have an emergency fund, you should work one into your budget. If you want to go on another holiday next summer, work that into your budget too.

This process is often an eyeopener since what we want is often much more than what we can afford. Unrealistic expectations regarding summer spending are a common reason for high debt during this season.

Luckily, a good budget aligns with your priorities and goals. Want to pay off your high interest debt in a year? Work it into your budget. Want to send your kids to college? Put it in your budget. Want to take a dream vacation to Thailand? Put it in your budget. Want to save for a condo? Add that to your budget too. You get the idea.

Prioritize Your Goals

Now that you have an idea of which goals you want to achieve, it is time to prioritize them. Even if you can only put a few dollars towards them each month, your money will start going where you want it to.

If there’s no way for you to reach your goals based on what you earn, you may want to look at ways to earn more. Even if you only do a side gig or take on part-time work for a while, that money can go straight towards achieving your goals.

Make Adjustments

Many times, creating a budget shows you’re spending your money on unnecessary things. Even if you only buy takeout coffee every day, it adds up quickly. Coffee is one of the easiest things you can make at home since a French press can make coffee that rivals the best. Save your money and put it towards debt repayment instead.

Carefully review your expenses to see where your money’s going and where you can cut back. Even small adjustments lead to savings that can go towards debt repayment, an emergency fund, or your savings account.

Automate Savings

Reaching your savings goals is much easier when you never see the money. Most financial institutions let you set automatic deposits into a savings account. You choose the amount, date, and frequency. Align your transaction with your paydays and watch your savings grow.

Stop Buying What You Can’t Afford

If you already know that you’ve accumulated a lot of debt this summer, it’s time to stop buying unnecessary items. Otherwise, your summer spending will turn into a monster that you have to wrestle with for many years. Here are a few suggestions to help you stop spending.

Freeze Credit Cards

One of the best ways to stop spending on credit cards is to voluntarily freeze your accounts through the issuer’s website. It doesn’t close your credit accounts, but it stops you from making new charges.

Giving up credit cards can be like giving up smoking. It’s tough. You might suffer withdrawals. But after you crawl out from under your sweat-soaked blanket, it’ll be worth it.

Use Cash Instead

This method forces you to stick to your budget. Automate your required monthly bills and then use the rest for other expenses. Some people put money in envelopes to categorize how they will spend. As an example, you might allocate $300 towards groceries. Once that’s gone, that’s it until the next payday.

Buy Groceries Using a List

Considering the cost of groceries nowadays, you may think that it is impossible to save on your grocery bill. However, when it comes to groceries, shopping with a list is a great help.

Create a running list of items that you really need for your household. Steer away from the junk food aisle and other temptations such as toys, household goods, or clothing.

Consider Online Grocery Shopping

Online grocery shopping offers many benefits including time savings and convenience. However, it greatest benefit on online ordering may be that you have to pick out each item and add it to your virtual shopping cart.

As you add items, you get a running total. You can quickly see whether you’re sticking to your budget or overspending. If you’re over budget, you can delete items to get back on track.

Online ordering programs also let you create repeatable shopping lists. This also curbs unnecessary spending and increases convenience.

Use a Store Loyalty Program

Try to choose a grocery store with a good loyalty program. The benefits of one of these can be a huge money saver. You may get free or discounted products with just the swipe of a card or a tap on your phone.

Plus, good programs are personalized to your buying history. If you buy certain products consistently, the app will let you know about sales and bulk specials that could save you even more.

Cancel Unnecessary or Unused Subscriptions

In 2025, around 80% of Americans pay for subscriptions such as streaming television. The average paid is around $90 per month and once they’re set up, it is easy to forget about them.

List all your subscriptions and then decide which you really use. Axe the others and put that money towards paying down your summer spending.

Consolidate Your Debt

If you charged a lot on your credit cards over the summer, it can make sense to combine all this debt under one personal installment loan. Most credit cards have very high interest rates and you pay compound interest on any unpaid balances. Basically, that means you pay interest on interest every month.

A personal installment loan uses simple interest. You are not charged additional interest on the unpaid balance. Consequently, this can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars, particularly if you get a good rate on your loan. The lower interest amount also means you pay off your debts quicker.

Plus, a consolidation loan only involves one payment. It’s easy to track and you know exactly when you’ll pay off your loan. Check that the lender does not charge an unnecessary origination fee or prepayment penalties before you commit.

Choose an Appropriate Repayment Schedule

Try for that sweet spot that motivates you, but does not throw you into financial chaos. A shorter repayment schedule has higher monthly payments, but you pay less interest. However, when you make your payments too high it can strain your budget and your life.

A longer repayment schedule lowers your payments, but you pay more interest. Still, don’t be tempted to drag out your loan term, because you could lose motivation and it is much harder to see your debt come down.

FlexMoney Financial Products for Summer Spending

If you do decide borrowing is an appropriate option for you, FlexMoney can help. We offer a wide range of financial products from a network of reputable U.S. lenders that offer between $200 and $35,000.

We welcome applicants with low credit scores, little or no credit history, and alternative income sources. We also make it incredibly easy to see what’s available to you, just by filling out one application form. Our process does not lower your credit scores either.

Apply today and get the money you need to handle your summer spending now.