Summer costs can add up fast. Financial experts share tips to avoid overspending and highlight free and low-cost activities around Phoenix.<\/p>\n
PHOENIX \u2014 Summer break can mean more family fun, but for many Arizona households, it can also mean more spending.<\/p>\n
During the Summer, families often spend money on things like vacations, summer camps, extra childcare and restaurants. That extra spending is all in addition to normal expenditures such as rent and utility bills, and with inflation, those prices continue to rise. Because of that, financial experts say costs can add up quickly this time of year.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Experts at Arsenal Credit Union call it the \u201csummer spending trap,\u201d<\/a> a time when spending tends to increase without people realizing how quickly expenses are piling up.<\/p>\n Since Summer holidays, family outings, entertainment costs and more time outside the home can all contribute to larger-than-expected bills, financial experts recommend families take steps early to avoid overspending.<\/p>\n Some of their top recommendations include:<\/p>\n \u2022 Setting a summer budget and writing it down Experts also encourage families to think ahead before spending money on food, tickets or last-minute plans.<\/p>\n If you’re looking for affordable ways to stay busy this summer, there are plenty of options here in the Valley. Visit Phoenix offers a variety of free and low-cost activities<\/a> around town.<\/p>\n Families can explore\u00a0hiking and walking trails<\/a>, local farmers’ markets<\/a>, splash pads<\/a> and parks. Some Valley museums also offer free or discounted admission days throughout the month. Residents can also check community calendars, city events and library programming<\/a> for additional\u00a0low-cost entertainment options.<\/a><\/p>\n Financial experts say avoiding the summer spending trap is less about cutting out fun and more about planning.<\/p>\n Small spending decisions made throughout the summer, experts say, can make a big difference by the time school starts back up.<\/p>\n >> Download the 12News app<\/a> for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.<\/p>\n You can now watch 12News content anytime, anywhere thanks to the 12+ app!\u00a0<\/p>\n The free 12+ app from 12News lets users stream live events \u2014 including daily newscasts like “Today in AZ” and “12 News” and our daily lifestyle program, “Arizona Midday”\u2014on Roku,<\/a> Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n 12+ \u00a0showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.\u00a0<\/p>\n Users can also watch on-demand videos of top stories, local politics, I-Team investigations, Arizona-specific features and vintage videos from the 12News archives.\u00a0<\/p>\n Roku: Add the channel from the Roku store<\/a> or by searching for “12 News KPNX.”\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2022 Planning for bigger expenses like vacations or camps
\u2022 Watching smaller purchases that can quickly add up
\u2022 Looking for ways to manage energy costs during Arizona\u2019s hottest months
\u2022 Planning free or low-cost activities to help stretch family budgets<\/p>\n