Looking to make the most of summer without draining your wallet? These family-friendly ideas can turn your time off into an opportunity to save money, build valuable skills, and even earn a little extra together.
Have a Yard Sale
One of the best ways to teach kids about saving is to show them that less is more. If their closets are overflowing with old toys and unused gear, encourage them to pick one or two items each day to contribute to a family yard sale.
Involve your kids in every step of the process: have them help advertise the sale on Craigslist or social media, talk to friends and neighbors, research pricing, and even manage the cash box. These skills build confidence and can help them stand out when applying for future summer jobs.
Once the sale is over, talk as a family about what to do with the money. It could go toward a savings account, a college fund, or even a family treat like a weekend getaway. The key is to let your kids participate in budgeting and decision-making, Climb’s Peak Savings account is a great place to start teaching healthy money habits early.
Start a (Very) Small Business
Summer is a great time to teach your kids the value of hard work and entrepreneurship. Whether it’s helping neighbors with yard work, washing windows for local businesses, or flipping old furniture, small-scale projects can generate income and spark creativity.
The business doesn’t have to rake in big profits to be valuable. What matters is the experience: learning how to advertise, work with customers, and follow through on commitments. These mini-ventures can also make great material for college application essays or future job interviews.
Need a little startup help for supplies or equipment? Climb offers low-rate personal loans that can support small family projects without the high interest of credit cards.
Fix Up the House
If you’ve been putting off home improvements, summer is the perfect time to tackle them as a family. Projects like painting, sealing windows, or even replacing a front door can improve energy efficiency and add value to your home.
Give your kids a role in these upgrades and compensate them with either an agreed-upon wage or a trade-off like screen time or outings. It helps them appreciate the effort and investment that goes into maintaining a home, and it’s a great way to sneak in some budgeting and goal-setting skills, too.
Plant a Garden
Believe it or not, planting a garden is one of the most cost-effective things a family can do together. For every dollar you spend on something like green bean seeds, you can yield up to $75 worth of produce. If you grow more than you need, you can pickle, preserve, or sell the extras to neighbors for added savings.
Use compost from kitchen scraps to reduce waste, reclaim materials like old pallets for raised beds, and install a simple rain barrel to save on water. Gardening not only cuts grocery costs, it also encourages kids to eat more vegetables and take pride in what they’ve grown.
Plan a Staycation
Family vacations are great, but they don’t have to involve pricey plane tickets or hotel stays. The average cost of a one-week trip for a family of four can easily exceed $2,000. A staycation gives you the same bonding time for a fraction of the price.
Explore local museums, cultural festivals, or nature trails. Splurge on a couple of nice dinners out and sleep in your own beds. Even better, make it meaningful: visit the spot where you and your partner met, or show your kids places that are part of your family’s story. It’s a chance to enjoy quality time and show them the richness of their roots.
Need a little extra cushion for family fun or home projects this summer? A Climb personal loan can help cover the costs with fixed monthly payments and no surprise fees.
Summer doesn’t have to be all about spending, it can be a time to teach, build, save, and grow. With the right mindset and a little creativity, you can turn this season into one that pays off in more ways than one.
All loans and accounts are subject to credit approval and membership eligibility. Terms, conditions, and restrictions may apply. Please contact Climb Credit Union for full details.
