Summer of Savings: Tips for Cutting Costs

May 28, 2026

School’s out for the summer! How are you planning to manage your summer budget? Between summer vacations, home projects, increased grocery costs, high utility bills, and more, costs can feel overwhelming. With a little planning ahead, you can make your spending more manageable this summer. Enjoy everything the season has to offer while staying on budget with the following tips.​

Create a Summer Specific Budget

Summer comes with a whole different set of expenses that aren’t typical. Especially if you’re taking a vacation, it can be helpful to create a new budget specifically for the summer months so you can plan more accurately and know exactly what to expect week to week. If you follow the budget closely all summer and adjust as needed, you can walk into back-to-school season with more financial confidence.​

Simple DIY Project Ideas - Finance with a Home Equity Loan

You don’t have to do a complete overhaul every summer! Small, affordable renovations can make a huge difference. If this summer isn’t the time to finance a full bathroom remodel, consider upgrading door knobs and handles on drawers and cabinets, buying a new shower curtain, or picking out decor at the thrift store to bring some life to the room. If the renovations are a more urgent need, CASFCU is here to help you make the cost more manageable with a home equity loan.​

Pack Lunches on Trips

Already have a vacation on the books? Make a plan before you depart to stop at the grocery store as soon as you get there. Eating every meal out adds up quickly. To keep yourself on track, plan your grocery list ahead of time so you don’t have to worry about it on the trip. This same principle applies throughout the summer! Taking the kids to a park? Pack lunches and make it a picnic. This will save you so much money in the long run if you keep eating at restaurants to a minimum.​

Plan Your Meals

Parents of school-aged kids have more meals to prepare over the summer. Meal planning at the beginning of each week is a great way to save money on dinner bills. If you are always shocked by your grocery bill, total up the cost of your cart as you shop so you aren’t surprised after checking out. This way, you can make swaps as needed as you shop. Dinners at home don’t have to be difficult or pricey; there are many recipes to browse online for cheap and easy meal ideas you can cook all summer.​

Eating at home doesn’t have to be boring! On summer evenings, you can make backyard dinners a fun experience with some seasonal mocktails, grilling outside, and topping it all off with a movie night and some popcorn. ​

Explore Free Activities in Chattanooga

Chattanooga is home to so many beautiful views and fun activities, including live music, farmers' markets, parks, museums, and more. Try out some free or affordable experiences right here in Chattanooga this summer with your friends and family.​

Managing Utility Bills

Simple changes during the warmer months can significantly improve your energy bill over a whole summer. Did you know that fans make a person feel cooler, but they do not reduce the temperature in a room? When you’re not in a room, turn off the fans to save energy. For every degree above 72, you can save up to 3% on your energy bill. If you’re raising the temperature, blow fans directly on yourself to make the temperature feel about 4 degrees cooler. Remember that even when devices aren’t in use, they are using energy when plugged in. Be sure to unplug electronics when they are not in use.​

Save Smarter all Summer

Want to have extra cash waiting for you by fall? Upgrade your traditional savings account to earn higher dividends with a Chattanooga Area Schools Federal Credit Union savings account. A CASFCU Money Market Account is a great way to save while enjoying the flexibility of moving money whenever you need to. Transfer your savings each month with automatic payroll deduction to save smarter in the background without the effort. Explore our Share Certificate Account options to set aside a set amount of cash over the summer and watch it earn a fixed competitive rate of return.​

Chattanooga Area School Federal Credit Union is here to help you with your financial needs in the coming months. Remember that wherever you go this summer, you can conveniently access your accounts with CASFCU online and mobile banking. Let us know how we can help you make the most of your summer.