Guest Post: Money Saving this Summer

This is a guest post from Shaye Walsh, who blogs at Simply Shaye. 

This Summer Ditch the Bad Habits and Learn Money-Saving New Habits

Summer time should raise dreams of trips to the beach, getting away on tropical vacations or family time spent enjoying your kids at theme parks. In reality, summer time is most often about bored kids destroying the house before they run off to a friend's house to play video games in front of the computer or television. You'll spend more time frustrated than enjoying the kids, but it doesn't have to be that way this summer. There are ways to earn extra money by turning your hobbies and things you enjoy into moneymaking opportunities. It won't overwhelm you, and should be simple because these are things you could already be doing in your spare time.

Doggie Boarding

If you love dogs, this is a perfect way to make some extra money. Dog owners hate to drop their furry family members off at a kennel. Often, pet owners feel huge amounts of guilt over putting their dog into a kennel. As a dog lover, you are sure to understand that feeling. You can provide a loving environment for their pooch while they enjoy their vacation guilt free by dog boarding. Your family will enjoy spending time together caring for an animal knowing you are providing a valuable service to both the family and the dog. You'll be making some extra cash, and it won't feel like work at all.

Selling Crafts

At one time, the only way a person could make money-selling crafts was during church events, craft sales or garage sales. It required more work to sell the items than it did to make them. With the Internet, there are tons of ways to sell the things you create without travel costs and expenses. Hobbies are meant to calm a person, give them an interest that brings them joy and take up some time, so they're not bored. A hobby can be more than that now. With sites like Etsy, a hobbyist can sell their creations. Whether you like painting, making jewelry or building action figures, Etsy will allow you to showcase your products and set your own prices.

Kick the Bottled Water Habit

Water is extremely important to keep a body healthy and nourished properly. People who drink plenty of water have glowing, healthy skin. It can't be denied that water is essential, but what is not essential is the hit that bottled water makes to your savings and to the environment. Bottled water is expensive. If you were to add up the cost of all the bottled water you drink in a month, you might be surprised at the cost. Lots of people do not enjoy the taste of their tap water. If you don't like the taste of the water out of your home faucet, consider a home water filtration system. In the long run it will save you money, and you'll never run out of water like you would with bottled water. http://thewaterproject.org/bottled_water_wasteful.asp

Toss Out that Gym Membership

Most people waste their money on a gym membership they won't use very often. A low-cost alternative is buying old gym equipment or weights to be used at home. You're more likely to work out if you don't have excuses like having to drive to the gym. You'll save the cost of a monthly gym membership, which can be pretty pricey. That saved money can go towards a summer vacation with the family.

If you're creative and think outside of the box, you can have the money you need to spend time with your family this summer. Instead of yelling at them all summer to pick up after themselves, you'll be able to sit on the beach soaking up the sun while they splash in the surf.

Shaye is a single mom that has a passion for family, budgeting, healthy living, fitness, and travel. She loves finding new ways to cook healthier and stay fit, all while doing it on a budget. She has a beautiful son and one eccentric dog, but wouldn’t have it any other way.. 

You can also follow Shaye on Twitter: @Simplyshayew