Budget friendly ideas for the summer ahead

Source: Lisa Montgomery, Resi Home Loans Chief Executive Officer

For many people, Summer is all about getting back into shape. But it’s also a great time for many people to shape up financially, because Summer can offer some unique budget friendly opportunities that don’t present themselves at other times of the year.

So let’s take a look at some and determine how you can take advantage of them:

THE SEASONAL FINANCIAL REVIEW
The Christmas/New Year period routinely provides the perfect window of opportunity for reflection - and then action - to make financial improvements to your life.

It’s a good time to look at how much life is costing you and determine ways in which you can make improvements. Start by doing an audit of all your large regular payments such as your mortgage, phone and internet, medical cover and insurances and see if you can get a better deal to free up more of your income.

CHEAP, FRESH FOOD
Fresh seasonal food is plentiful and cheap if you know where to look. In fact, many major metropolitan cities have daily or weekly wholesale markets where the produce comes straight from being picked, often still with the morning dew still glistening off it!

These markets usually sell to the public and will save you significantly on your food bills.  And because you can buy fruit, vegetables, meat and an array of other dry goods in bulk, the opportunity to divide the spoils (and the bill) with friends or family makes this an even more appealing way to eat well and still reduce your food bill. 

FREE ENTERTAINMENT
With our ‘Beautiful one day - Perfect the next’ climate, we can really enjoy our time in the outdoors, which for many, means spending time at beaches, lakes, rivers and any of the parks and ovals dotted around the country.

And the thing to remember here is that using most of these facilities is absolutely free! So it’s a bit like having your own big backyard with an al-fresco dining area (a.k.a. BBQ area) and your own sports field (i.e. for that game of cricket with friends). 
 
DISCRETIONARY DETOX
New Year – New Start!

It’s the perfect time to take a detailed look at the money you spend at your discretion.  Clothing, going out and even holiday choices should get the once over if you want to have a genuine detox.

And this should extend to looking at ways you can change other habits to save money e.g. hanging your clothes outside to dry instead of throwing them in the dryer or opening windows rather than putting the air-conditioner on.

With a bit of planning, this Summer can allow you to get financially fit for 2011.