Top 10 Ways To Have a Thrifty Summer

Even for the thriftiest teenager, landing yourself in a situation where your parents absolutely refuse to lend you a cent can be disheartening. This summer, we’ve come up with the top 10 ways to guide you on your summer-thriftiness.

Get a part time job in the summer. It’s the first way to start having a steady income and save up for your needs and wants.
Start investing once your piggybank is loaded to a minimum of about $1,000. Ask savvy adults around you for handy advice and get yourself familiar with the concepts before you begin – learn about RESPs and RRSPs.

Give yourself at least 24 hours when you’re shopping to decide if you really want something. I give myself 48 hours so that I can think clearly about the choices before I make a decision.

Start bringing lunches or snacks around with you whenever you know you’ll be away from the house for a meal. The money some teens use to buy junk food can be put to much better use – after all, every little bit adds up!

Don't go for brand names on everyday items such as study supplies. Are we simply paying surplus for the beautiful packaging and marketing or can we make do with a similar but cheaper product?

Use different methods of shopping: Internet shopping on eBay (as long as the user has a reliable rating) is fantastic, as you’re bound to find a great price on almost any item.

Use coupons when you find them; although you will find that most coupons only save you a dollar or two, this will add up and over a year; you could be saving more than you think.

Put your “green” habits into action. I find recycling juice boxes a surprisingly handy source of cash: by stopping by at the bottle depot a few times a year, you can be earning yourself some fast and easy cash.

Dulled out by your piano lesson or art lessons? Transforming your hobbies into profitable cash is a great way for teenagers to start their own business during the summer. I for one, tutor after school, giving me a great opportunity to not only earn myself enough cash, but develop effective people skills as well.

Instead of spending loads of your hard-earned cash watching the latest movie at the theatre, try different sources of entertainment that can be virtually free! For example, in Calgary, head to Prince’s Island Park for some free Shakespeare in the Park live theatre and check out your community newspapers for other fun and free events!