Money saving tips for summer time expenses

Check out these useful tips to save money when enjoying the summer season.

The hot Indian summer is that time of the year when everybody scurries under cover to escape the relentless heat. Of course, it is also the time for gorging on mangoes, going on short weekend trips as well as long relaxed holidays, and chilling out in front of the room cooler or air conditioner.

Saving money may be the last thing on your mind when the mercury sizzles. However, there are simple tricks that can help you beat the heat without emptying your wallet in the process.

Keeping your cool

When temperatures rise, promises about not overusing the AC go right out of the window. Before you know it, the AC is running day and night and you end up with sky-high electricity bills. What can you do to avoid excessive usage without compromising on comfort?

Car AC:

• Consider leaving an hour early for office- you can miss peak time traffic, thus reducing stops at red lights, and avoid using the car AC.
• Which wastes more fuel: running your car’s air conditioner or driving with your windows rolled down? The answer is: it depends. If you’re stuck in stop-and-go traffic, it’s better to roll down the windows. But at faster speeds (over 70 kmph), wind drag becomes an issue, and it’s therefore more efficient to use the AC.
• These minor changes can help you save a lot on your petrol expense throughout the summer season.

Home AC:

• Replace the padding of room coolers, carry out maintenance of the AC compressor, and clean the air filters to maximize efficiency. Spending on maintenance can help you save a lot on your energy bill.
• Try to stop leakage of cool air in air-conditioned rooms of your house. Use wooden panels and insulation material to cover gaps in your room’s windows and doors. Reducing leakage will bring down the load on the compressor and to bring your electricity bills under control. 
• Use the Sleep or Timer features your AC to shut it down at a pre-determined time early in the morning. Instead of running the AC till the time you wake up, you can choose to shut it down by 4.30 PM. The room will stay reasonably cool for another hour or so. This simple trick will also make it impossible for you to oversleep in the morning.
• Planting leafy trees around your home’s exterior will stop the sun from shining inside your home. If the trees or shrubs shade your air conditioner, you could increase your AC's efficiency by up to 10%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Related: 10 hacks that can save money in day to day life

Travelling and vacationing

Summer is probably the best time to travel to hill stations and other exotic locations.

• One smart way to save money is to opt for relatively lesser-known tourist destinations. Idukki in Kerala, Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, or Khati in Uttarakhand are beautiful hill stations that are not as well-known as popular destinations like Shimla or Ooty. Think out of the box to save a lot of money on travel, stay, and food costs without compromising on the fun part of the vacation.  
• Check out home stays instead of expensive hotels. Somebody seeking a bit of company and some extra income through apps such as OYO Rooms or Airbnb is unlikely to charge as high as hotels during the peak holiday season.
• Consider a train journey instead of booking expensive flight tickets or hiring a car. A relaxed journey with your family in an AC compartment can be extremely enjoyable an economical at the same time.   
• If a trip abroad is on the cards, make sure you have adequate travel insurance. From unexpected change of travel plans to replacing lost baggage—paying a small premium can help you be prepared for a wide range of contingencies and complications during the trip. Compare options online to find a policy offering comprehensive coverage at the lowest premium.  
• Consider offbeat travel itineraries. Planning a weekend getaway in your family car during the short spell of rains would be cool and comfortable and you can have a lot of fun roaming outdoors without having to worry about the heat.

Related: Best places to travel during summer and the checklist you need [Infographic]

It’s a misconception that you need to spend lots of money to stay cool in the summer. What you need is a bit of innovation, loads of common sense, and some of the tips provided above to have a blast on a small budget.

The hot Indian summer is that time of the year when everybody scurries under cover to escape the relentless heat. Of course, it is also the time for gorging on mangoes, going on short weekend trips as well as long relaxed holidays, and chilling out in front of the room cooler or air conditioner.

Saving money may be the last thing on your mind when the mercury sizzles. However, there are simple tricks that can help you beat the heat without emptying your wallet in the process.

Keeping your cool

When temperatures rise, promises about not overusing the AC go right out of the window. Before you know it, the AC is running day and night and you end up with sky-high electricity bills. What can you do to avoid excessive usage without compromising on comfort?

Car AC:

• Consider leaving an hour early for office- you can miss peak time traffic, thus reducing stops at red lights, and avoid using the car AC.
• Which wastes more fuel: running your car’s air conditioner or driving with your windows rolled down? The answer is: it depends. If you’re stuck in stop-and-go traffic, it’s better to roll down the windows. But at faster speeds (over 70 kmph), wind drag becomes an issue, and it’s therefore more efficient to use the AC.
• These minor changes can help you save a lot on your petrol expense throughout the summer season.

Home AC:

• Replace the padding of room coolers, carry out maintenance of the AC compressor, and clean the air filters to maximize efficiency. Spending on maintenance can help you save a lot on your energy bill.
• Try to stop leakage of cool air in air-conditioned rooms of your house. Use wooden panels and insulation material to cover gaps in your room’s windows and doors. Reducing leakage will bring down the load on the compressor and to bring your electricity bills under control. 
• Use the Sleep or Timer features your AC to shut it down at a pre-determined time early in the morning. Instead of running the AC till the time you wake up, you can choose to shut it down by 4.30 PM. The room will stay reasonably cool for another hour or so. This simple trick will also make it impossible for you to oversleep in the morning.
• Planting leafy trees around your home’s exterior will stop the sun from shining inside your home. If the trees or shrubs shade your air conditioner, you could increase your AC's efficiency by up to 10%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Related: 10 hacks that can save money in day to day life

Travelling and vacationing

Summer is probably the best time to travel to hill stations and other exotic locations.

• One smart way to save money is to opt for relatively lesser-known tourist destinations. Idukki in Kerala, Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, or Khati in Uttarakhand are beautiful hill stations that are not as well-known as popular destinations like Shimla or Ooty. Think out of the box to save a lot of money on travel, stay, and food costs without compromising on the fun part of the vacation.  
• Check out home stays instead of expensive hotels. Somebody seeking a bit of company and some extra income through apps such as OYO Rooms or Airbnb is unlikely to charge as high as hotels during the peak holiday season.
• Consider a train journey instead of booking expensive flight tickets or hiring a car. A relaxed journey with your family in an AC compartment can be extremely enjoyable an economical at the same time.   
• If a trip abroad is on the cards, make sure you have adequate travel insurance. From unexpected change of travel plans to replacing lost baggage—paying a small premium can help you be prepared for a wide range of contingencies and complications during the trip. Compare options online to find a policy offering comprehensive coverage at the lowest premium.  
• Consider offbeat travel itineraries. Planning a weekend getaway in your family car during the short spell of rains would be cool and comfortable and you can have a lot of fun roaming outdoors without having to worry about the heat.

Related: Best places to travel during summer and the checklist you need [Infographic]

It’s a misconception that you need to spend lots of money to stay cool in the summer. What you need is a bit of innovation, loads of common sense, and some of the tips provided above to have a blast on a small budget.