Summer is just over the horizon—we can almost see the beach trips and barbies. With changing seasons comes changing spending habits, and summer can get pricey. But the good news is, there are ways to save money.
Hang your clothes outside
Take a note from your nan and hang the laundry out to dry. Make use of the hot weather and turn the outside world into your own free dryer. You’ll trim your electricity bill and have a basket of fresh smelling clothes!
Use less AC
We know what you’re thinking—it’s summer, it’s hot, you have social gatherings where sweat stains aren’t allowed. Staying cool is important, but there are ways to achieve that without burning through your earnings.
Tweak your home environment
With small tweaks, your house can become a cool den of energy efficiency. By shutting the blinds when it’s sunny you could stop up to 87% of outside heat from entering your home. Keep the cool air in by closing internal doors so your aircon has a smaller surface area to regulate. Fill any holes in the walls to prevent further air leakage. Change your AC filters if they’re old—sometimes faulty filters use more power by cooling less effectively.
Control your body’s ‘thermostat’
Another way to lower your AC costs is to think of your body’s ‘natural thermostat’. You may not be able to flip a switch, but it’s still possible to adjust your core temperature.
Cool drinks, wet wash cloths, and cold showers will save you from the heat. You could even stick your legs in a bucket of cold water, then sit back and watch TV. And when it’s bedtime, wrap yourself in a cool wet sheet. Having it hang damp over you is a great sleep hack for those boiling summer nights. By taking control of your body temperature, you can take control of your aircon bill!
DIY AC alternatives
You can create your own DIY aircon without a physics degree. Your amateur technician’s toolkit should include: a table fan and a bowl of ice. Place the bowl in front of the fan, so you get a nice cool breeze as the ice melts.
Hanging a cold wet cloth in front of an open window also helps convert warm humid wind into cool refreshing air before it enters your home.
Enjoy the great outdoors
The warm weather won’t last, so make use of it. Go outside and lower your electricity bill!
Exercise outdoors
Turn your local sidewalk into your own treadmill. Who needs a gym membership when you have balmy days and the great outdoors? Summer is one of the only times you can enjoy nature without a coat and cold fingers. If you dislike the heat, exercise in the early mornings to avoid it.
Save fuel money by cycling to your office. Remember to pack a water bottle so you can do your part for the environment (and your wallet)!
Make use of free entertainment
The convenient thing about summer is that there are so many things on! Go for a hike or check out free festivals in your area. Look through local websites to find interesting events, or put together your own with a picnic basket and imagination. The more opportunities to get out of the house, the less you’ll spend on keeping it cool. And if the heat gets too much, head to museums or galleries to make use of aircon you don’t have to pay for.
Once you’ve gathered your summer savings, you’ll need a safe place to keep them. Suncorp Bank’s Growth Saver Account isn’t just a place for your savings to sit—it’s a nest for them to grow in. Receive bonus interest if you grow your net balance by $200 or more (excluding interest) and make no more than one withdrawal during the month.* Plus, there’s no monthly account keeping fee, so your money stays yours!
Published 30 October 2022
Related links and products
Handy tools
Deposit products issued by Suncorp Bank (Norfina Limited ABN 66 010 831 722 AFSL No 229882). Terms and fees apply. Read the relevant Product Information Document and Terms & Conditions before making any decisions about this product. Any advice does not take into account your particular objectives, financial situations or needs, so you should consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it.
The information is intended to be of general nature only. We do not accept any legal responsibility for any loss incurred as a result of reliance upon it – please make your own enquiries.
*Interest is calculated daily and paid at the end of the calendar month. Bonus interest is payable for every calendar month that you grow your net balance by at least $200 and make no more than 1 withdrawal. Interest accrued does not contribute to monthly account balance growth requirement for bonus interest. If bonus interest conditions are not met the standard variable rate only will apply. If you need to make more than one withdrawal, you’ll still receive the base interest rate.
