Summer 2026 Doesn’t Have To Wreck Your Budget. Here’s a Simple Plan.

Summer’s often an expensive time of year. And, according to a recent Credit Karma survey, nearly a third of Americans expect to take on debt this summer. 

But the good news is summer can be different. With a little planning, you can have all the fun you want, without a financial hangover in the fall.

Here’s a simple three-step process to stick to your goals over the summer without sacrificing too much fun in the process.

Find out: Why is summer so expensive anyway?

The first step to curbing spending is mindfulness, asking: What are you actually spending money on over the summer?

Looking over last year’s credit card statements, maybe you notice a trend. 

When people look back at where their summer money actually went, the large planned expenses — a wedding, a flight, a big trip — are usually the ones they saw coming. 

What tends to catch people off guard is this stuff: 

A round of drinks after work

A piece of gear bought for a hobby that got used twice

A few too many delivery orders on nights it was too hot to cook 

Individually, none of it feels like a big deal. But, added up over a season, it can easily total thousands of dollars.

Turn insights into understanding

Once you get over the initial shock of your spending list, start to dig deeper. How do you feel about those small(ish), random purchases now, and what could that tell you about sticking to your budget this summer?

Look over your discretionary spending and sort the transactions into three categories, so you can better understand what kind of spending brings you joy:

• Purchases that brought you joy
• Purchases you regret
• Purchases you don’t remember making 

Nearly a third of Americans (31%) expect to take on debt this summer

Maybe you’ll realize that your spending on social engagements and outdoor activities still felt rewarding. But those purchases you made out of convenience? Not so much. 

Create a vision for the summer

Drawing on the knowledge of which types of spending are most meaningful for you, create a plan. 

For example, if you’ve spent tons of time kayaking last summer, keep a budget for outdoor adventures on your list this year. If you really love a weekly brunch, make room for that, too.  

Here are a few more tips to manage your costs:

1. Check out free adventures, like finding free places to kayak or exploring new parks in your area.
2. Make the most of your library. Turns out they have passes to our State Parks, so you can get in for free.
3. Buy summer memberships and subscriptions where it makes sense. For example, picking up a membership to your local pool. If you visit often, it works out to pennies on the dollar compared to buying day passes.

The end result? A plan for creating summer memories, without dragging you into debt. Explore the post “5 Ways to Strengthen Your Financial Foundation” for inspiration on how to be strategic with your spending.