As the fall semester approaches, nothing sounds better than heading back to Happy Valley with some extra cash in your pocket. Your minimum wage summer job isn’t helping much and neither is your weekly drinking habit. Here’s the good news: there are a few simple steps you can take to save money this summer and still have fun.
Skip the Pricey Gym Membership
According to CNBC, the average gym membership costs $40 to $50 per month. Canceling your gym membership for the summer can save you $200! However, this doesn’t mean you should give up on your physical health altogether to save a few bucks. A great website for some fitspiration is fitnessblender.com. The site allows you to stream a variety of workout videos and it’s completely free. You can choose from workouts that specialize in fat burning, specific body parts, stretching and much more. Working out at home, with the help of these virtual trainers can save you money and still get you a killer summer bod.
Reconsider Your Salon
Whether you’re ready for a big change for the upcoming semester or just need a trim, rethink your salon choice. Salon visits can get expensive fast. Looks, a popular salon in State College, charges between $40 and $50 for a haircut. Add coloring and you could be spending upwards of $150 in one trip. If you get your hair cut every three months, this can set you back $200 a year – and that’s just for the cut. A great alternative is getting your hair done at a cosmetology school. Since the stylists are students, the charge will be about one-third of price at a normal salon. In addition to haircuts, most cosmetology schools also offer coloring, manicures and waxing – all at an affordable price. Empire Beauty School in State College charges only $9 for a haircut – which can save you about $35 per cut in comparison to an upscale salon.
Choose Happy Hour
Its summertime and naturally you want to go out with your friends. But, choose your bars wisely. Instead of sticking to one bar for the night, find out when bars in your area are having happy hour. Bar hop to different bars and only drink the drinks that are on special. Saving $5 or $10 a night might not seem big, but if you’re going out twice a week all summer, you can save yourself upwards of $300 by the start of fall semester!
