Summer in New York is unlike anything else I’ve experienced. While many people flee to faraway places to ditch the sweaty subway, the balmy days, and the sticky-humid nights, I love sticking around for all that the city has to offer during these months. The weather is gorgeous (sometimes), the sun is shining, and there’s a sense that anything is possible! There is, however, always a catch. And here, as with many places, the catch is the expense. 

“Saving money in the summer can be like wrangling wild cats. You blink, and suddenly everything — the cats, or your cash — is gone.”

Whether you’re a New Yorker like me or you reside somewhere else where there’s just as much to do and experience, saving money in the summer can be like wrangling wild cats. You blink, and suddenly everything — the cats, or your cash — is gone. However, I’ve spent the last few years figuring out how to strike a balance between frugality and fun, and although it might be unfamiliar at first, it becomes second nature once you get used to it. 

Though it might be hard to believe, it’s not just possible to have an amazing summer with the people you love while saving money — it can sometimes be a completely new adventure to get creative and come up with ways to get out, devote time to experiencing new things, and have a good time. 

Here are a few ways I’ve learned to save money while still having an amazing summer, no matter where you are. 

1. Try out free events

I know, I know. Free events are low-commitment, which means that the motivation has to be a bit stronger to get yourself up and moving, but they really can be an untapped resource, especially in the summer. So many cities have free outdoor movie screenings, free concerts, block parties, and other city-run events. Not to mention all of the Meetup groups, run clubs, hiking clubs, reading groups, and other gatherings centering a shared activity or interest. They might not always be right in front of your face, but you’d be surprised at how much is out there when you look for them.

“You’d be surprised at how much is out there when you look for them.”

And look, I’ve been there. I know sometimes free events carry an air of the unknown, where you’re not sure what it’ll be like or what kind of people will be there. This can be a tough hurdle to jump, because there’s a possibility that you might not like the vibe. But it’s very low risk to give a free event a try, because if you truly hate it, you can leave. Let yourself try something new that you’ve never done before, or go to a Meetup group for a new interest you might not otherwise explore if the barrier of cost were in the way. Free events are also great for a social group that would otherwise be tough to gather for an activity with a financial barrier of entry. 

2. Go for third spaces

Similar to attending free groups and events, third spaces are an amazing way to get out of the house, often without having to pay for anything in order to simply exist somewhere. And yes, we are desperately in need of more third spaces right now, but one of the beautiful things about summer is that many of what free third spaces we do have — like public parks, public tennis and pickleball courts, gardens, and beaches — are available for use because of the nice weather. During the fall, winter, and sometimes even the early spring, the weather conditions are often not so great for feeling truly unadulterated in your stay. Sure, a public park can be nice for a walk in November, but in the summer, you can plan a hang, a picnic, a workout, or whatever else strikes your fancy for as long as you want to be out and about.

“Third spaces are an amazing way to get out of the house, often without having to pay for anything in order to simply exist somewhere.”

Third spaces are such an amazing resource for chill hangs, and also for alone time! Bring a book to your favorite coffee shop or park bench and have a leisurely afternoon to pass the time! Regardless of how you want to spend your time in the many third spaces that are available throughout the warm months, maybe challenge yourself to make the most out of them this summer — when winter rolls around, you might end up wishing you had!

3. Be discerning

While saving money might be a high priority for your summer season, having a fully no-spend summer isn’t always realistic or sustainable. It’s important to allow yourself a little bit of grace to spend here and there when things are important, but the trick is to be discerning about what big-ticket items actually deserve your precious dollars. If you really love going to see DJ sets and dancing, that can sometimes be a pricey hobby when tickets run in the $50 range. Going every weekend will tank you quickly, but picking 2-3 shows throughout the summer with acts you’re excited about can be the perfect middle ground that takes the expense from half a months’ rent to a $100-$150 treat that you can budget for. 

“While saving money might be a high priority for your summer season, having a fully no-spend summer isn’t always realistic or sustainable.”

There is space for important things, special occasions, and treats here and there. The key is to plan things out, be discerning, and think about activities like you would any other purchase. When you figure out what’s important to you and what experiences are actually worth it, you can allow yourself to budget with those things in mind so they don’t break the bank or come as a shock to you later down the road.

4. Allow wiggle room

While having wiggle room isn’t just an invitation to do whatever you want all the time, it is an allowance for the space to treat yourself when it makes sense and it’s in the budget. If you’re thoughtful about your spending, you can have a few activities where you plan for that wiggle room — and don’t have to worry about it hitting your bank account and surprising you. When you keep yourself on the tightest leash for spending, you might get restless. To prevent that from happening, give yourself some grace to spend within reason by planning for it and deciding that it fits within your budget.

“Give yourself some grace to spend within reason by planning for it and deciding that it fits within your budget.”

If you have a big birthday coming up, an exciting accomplishment, or a friend in town, going out to dinner or doing something fun can be a reasonable treat if you plan it well. Being frugal doesn’t mean you never spend — it means that you’re careful about spending so that when you do go all out, it really counts.

5. Just one drink, seriously

While planning and setting aside designated times to go all out can be a great way to stay within your summer budget, there are also smaller things that you can do along the way that seriously add up over time. Personally, I see the most impact with these small changes, because money can disappear sneakily when you aren’t paying attention. My favorite example of this working in action is the power of ordering just one drink when you go out for drinks or happy hour with friends. 

It can be really easy to miss the moment where a $15 tab becomes a $60 tab. And if you go out for drinks with friends once a week or so, or even less than that, it can add up to become a major expense in your life. I’ve found that ordering frugally doesn’t impact the experience of going out and being with my friends, outside of the fact that it feels manageable at the end of the night. 

“It can be really easy to miss the moment where a $15 tab becomes a $60 tab.”

This also doesn’t just apply to drinks — it applies to going out to dinner, coffee, brunch. It can be easy to forget about money when the menu comes out, or resign yourself to the imagined reality that, “Well, this is going to be expensive no matter what, so I might as well get a drink with dinner, or the expensive cocktail, or two lattes instead of nursing one.” And suddenly, you’ve doubled your bill. Being mindful of cost in the moment is a huge saving tool for me. I’m still able to go out, have fun experiences with friends, and enjoy a cocktail or a coffee, but knowing I’m not destined to go overboard is very powerful and helpful, and it allows me to keep my costs low without feeling like I’m missing out on something. 

6. We have food at home

Okay, okay, I know this is one of the most hated phrases in the English language, but it’s true! I find this is especially powerful for day trips and other activities where I know I’ll be gone from sunrise to sunset.

“Our moms who packed sandwiches and granola bars to go to the beach knew what they were doing.”

Our moms who packed sandwiches and granola bars to go to the beach knew what they were doing, because it really can save you tons of money in the long run. Especially if you’re out with a few people at the beach or the park — or anywhere else that food costs run high because, well, they can — packing a few snacks can be a huge money-saving tool that only takes a few minutes before you run out the door and start your adventure.

And once you’re there, you’ll probably be really happy you did it. (There’s nothing worse than paying for a meal you don’t enjoy!) ✨

There are so many big and small ways to save money over the summer without compromising fun. And when you focus on having a good time, being with the people you love, and being in the moment, you can have an unforgettable summer without spending like crazy. Give yourself grace, be creative, and try new things — and you’ll start making amazing memories before you know it.

Jamie Kahn is a writer and yoga teacher based in New York. Her work has been featured in Glamour, Brooklyn Magazine, Epiphany, The Evergreen Review, and others.