Summer can be a drag on spending or an opportunity to learn smart habits to save money.
Most would agree that summer in Southern California is pretty amazing; the beaches and attractions are a number of the simplest within the country and therefore the warm nights cause you to desire you're on vacation. However, between fun activities and the cost of energy to stay cool, summer can be a drain on spending or an opportunity to pick up some smart money-saving habits.
Keep = Save
Air conditioning costs can make up nearly half of your summer utility bill. Simply using your AC less is a start, but it's important to consider how you can reduce the power your AC consumes. Here are some tips to achieve both in your home:
Keep your central air conditioner filter clean to run more efficiently and set your thermostat to 78 degrees or higher.
Block direct sunlight to your windows with sunscreens, reflective film, awnings, or trees.
Weatherstrip or solar savings Lee county drafty doors and windows to keep cool air inside.
Set your water heater to 120ºF, wash clothes in cold water whenever possible, and clean the lint screen in the dryer after each use.
Given the ongoing drought conditions in California, it is more important than ever to conserve water. You may have heard of state rebate programs to replace your lawn or upgrade to low-flow toilets, which can make these sustainable upgrades much more affordable. Our advice: apply first! Funding for these programs is limited and not everyone can qualify. You can request some of these rebates at socalwatersmart.
Make San Diego your vacation destination
Now that you've taken steps to preserve it at home, it's time for the fun part! If you live in or around San Diego, seriously, take a vacation at home. There is a reason why San Diego receives more than 30 million tourists each year. Summer is that the best time of year to require advantage of a number of low-cost entertainment that keeps visitors returning.
Visit Seaport Village or Balboa Park. They are both charming, picturesque, and perfect for a summer outing.
See a free concert in Balboa Park or on Coronado Island.
Set up a spot in Mission Bay Park to see the fireworks at SeaWorld® up close and free of charge. They occur on most summer nights at 8:50 or 9:50 p.m.Go on a field trip to Torrey Pines State Reserve.
Visit sandiego.org for free or affordable additional activities in San Diego! Make the summer switch to SDCCUWhile your solar savings Lee county money, make it the summer you switch to SDCCU. Customers are offered special discounts, such as up to 25% off Padres tickets at sdccu.com/discounts. Are you going to a restaurant? SDCCU Paybacks ™ puts to take advantage of your pocket once you pay together with your SDCCU Visa® debit and/or credit cards at participating restaurants Learn more at sdccu.com/cashback.
If you're looking for more ways to save some extra money for that trip you've been planning, apply for the SDCCU Summer Saver Auto Loan®, which allows qualified buyers to skip their automatic payments each July and August. You can also save big on monthly service charges by opening a new checking account with FREE eStatements.
Whether you're at the beach managing your money with the SDCCU mobile banking app, getting great discounts at sdccu.com, or enjoying a cashback when you shop, let SDCCU help make this the summer of savings.
