Get Intentional – June Budget Tips
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YOU GUYS!
How is it already nearly JUNE? These past months have gone by in a blink, and I cannot believe that May is almost over! As you get ready for the new month, I want to remind you of some expenses you might overlook in your budget. Check out these June budget tips and then make sure you’ve got your budget ready before the month begins!
If you are new to budgeting, check out EveryDollar to get set up. Our awesome Budget 101 guide will help you get started and ready to rule your finances!
This post was originally written in June 2019, and is meant for ‘regular’ June budgeting. For my thoughts on June 2020 and summer budgeting, make sure you scroll all the way to the end! Be safe, friends
Summer Holidays
Hopefully, if you are planning a trip this summer, you built it into your budget a few months ago, and you have the cash to pay for it without using a credit card. (That’s my goal for all of my saving – never ever using a credit card again.) If not, it’s not too late to start. Make sure you know how much money you will need for your summer adventures and build that spending into your budget.
Summer Camps
With the end of the school year upon us (WOOOOOO – I’m a teacher by day, and WOW am I ever ready for summer break!) you might be scrambling for what to do with your kiddos during those long weeks of summer. I might be too late in telling you to build it into your budget because I feel like most summer camps are full by now, but if you still need it – build it in!
Christmas
I don’t want to be this person, because oh golly do I ever hate it when Costco rolls out the Christmas decor in August. But… we are six months out. And believe me when I say – the holiday season is so much more joyful when you have intentionally saved up money and can buy gifts and do fun outings without stressing about how you will pay for it. Think about your typical Christmas spend. Factor in who you buy gifts for and how much you spend. Don’t forget stockings. And all the extra food and baking supplies we go through. It’s a pricey time of year, and it’s better to prepare now!
Depending on your financial goals, you might want to rethink buying $25 presents for your eighteen nieces and nephews. Now is the time to have those (albeit, awkward) conversations with friends and family to scale back some of the extravagances that we seem to get wrapped up in at this time of year.
Year-End Gifts
This feels self-serving to include, but I want you to rock your budget, so I’m going to write it anyway. For those of us with kiddos in school (and sports and more sports and guides and whatever other activities you do all year), there are some exhausted teachers and instructors and coaches looking forward to summer holidays just like the kids are! I’m not saying go crazy – a cup of coffee or a thoughtful note goes a long way!
However you choose to show your gratitude, make sure you build it into the budget.
(And please don’t buy World’s #1 Teacher mugs – we have enough of those. A gift card to Amazon though? Yes.PLEASE. For a few teacher-approved ideas check out Budget-Friendly Teacher Gifts!!)
Back to School
Yes, just like Christmas, let’s think ahead to another expense on the horizon – back to school! Fresh clothes, school supplies, haircuts – all of these expenses add up fast. Build them into your budget now, and your bank account will thank you later!
Garden & Lawn Care
The warmer weather pulls us out of hibernation and into our outdoor spaces. Your green-thumb might be in full swing already, or maybe you are just getting started. The more time we spend outdoors, the more we are drawn to make our yards, decks, and porches more beautiful and inviting.
Father’s Day
Every year I feel bad for the dads in my life because by the middle of June I’m frazzled and overwhelmed and definitely not the best version of myself to show up extra for the boys. I’ve wondered if maybe we shouldn’t celebrate the Dads in April, or maybe November, but every month is busy in its own way. This year I’m embracing it early, and I definitely have a special treat built into my budget to say “I love you!” to my special men.
Check out our Frugal Father’s Day post for some ideas for spoiling dad without spoiling your budget! AND – new for 2020 – how to celebrate dad from a distance!
Summer Weddings
Are you in the season of life where it feels like you are heading to a wedding every weekend? Look at your calendar and make sure you are tucking away enough money to cover the gifts/clothes/travel expenses that come with wedding season!
Higher Utility and Water Bills
The green-thumb I’ve been cultivating for the past few years brings about a lot of fun and beauty in our yard. But it also leads to higher water bills from the mindful watering. Same goes for the warm weather – if you have air conditioning keeping you cool through the heat of the summer, your utility bill is going to be higher, so make sure your budget reflects that too!
Stampede (or other Summer Fun!)
Mini donuts, late-night fireworks, and music in the park – it’s all just around the corner!!! Dust off those cowboy boots and throw a few bucks into savings, so you are ready to try the cricket pizza or check out the grandstand!
For people who don’t live where I do, I bet you have your own summer fairs and festivals and fun. Throw some money into savings this month, so you are ready to rock when the time comes!
June 2020 tips
Let’s all take a moment to mourn the loss of a lot of our fun summer activities this year. Summer might look different in 2020 – I know it will for my family. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to keep my family safe, while enjoying the sun from my yard.
And the extra money I’ll save?? (On gas because I barely drive anywhere; on insurance because we have one car parked in the garage; on entertainment because we don’t ever go out. On the camping and other travel plans that are put on hold). I’m making sure to be intentional. A fully-funded travel account, so that when traveling is an option again, I’m ready. Some extra money into my home renovation sinking fund. And, because my current financial goal is paying my mortgage off early, all the leftovers are going into savings for that. Well, I’ll be putting that towards BIG goals, like my extra mortgage payment this year, or my future travel plans. Turning lemons into lemonade!
Beyond saving for the future, I increased the amount that I budgeted for my yard – if I’m going to spend the summer months playing cards on the deck or camping in the yard, I want it to be a sanctuary that fills my heart with joy. So make sure your June budget reflects what your June is going to look like!
Wrap Up
The key to successful budgeting is making it your own. Make sure your budget reflects your life. Look towards the future and plan ahead for all the things that you have coming up to make this summer season a financial success!
