Entertaining is a rite of passage for any household in the spring and summertime. Between the official holidays and the nights you simply want to relax with friends and family, throwing a party can get a little pricey. If you鈥檙e hoping to make the most of the warmer weather this year without breaking the bank, here are some cost-effective entertaining tips to get you through the planning process.

Tip #1- Plan Ahead

While spur of the moment plans might come together, try your best to plan ahead for all your get-togethers by multiple days or, preferably, weeks. The reason for this is that last-minute decisions can lead to costly prices on your end. If you weren鈥檛 able to purchase snacks or drinks ahead of time, shopping last-minute could lead to higher prices and rash decisions which can burn a hole in your pocket. Or worse, if you have no food to cook and have to order in, the fees and tips can add up big time! So, try your best to think and plan ahead where possible.

Tip #2- Utilize Deals

Want to go out instead of hosting at your home? Look ahead of time to see if there are any local deals to take advantage of if your group is flexible. By looking for options with a reduced price for meals or admission to an activity, you can save the excess funds for another night or splurge on dessert afterward. Utilizing sites like make cost-effective entertaining easy- you can discover new ideas and find reduced-price group packages.聽 Also consider signing up for local business newsletters for deals and savings that can be used when it comes time for venturing out.

Tip #3- Have a Potluck

Not only can this save money, but also time. Ask friends and family to bring their favorite dishes for a special event and save yourself the hassle of cooking enough sides and mains for everyone. If you feel a little guilty about asking guests to bring something, you can volunteer to cover the mains, such as barbequing the hamburgers and hotdogs, and everyone can bring their favorite side. That provides guests with flexibility on both costs and their personal tastes, making sure there鈥檚 something for everyone.

Tip #4- Bring It Home

Doing something new and exciting may be perfect from time to time but entertaining outside the home can become expensive quickly. Instead, try getting creative with your at-home entertainment to add some variety to your entertaining. There are plenty of fun events to host such as rotating game nights, sips and paints, dessert decorating, home-based karaoke, and more. Each of these can cost hundreds for a few hours of fun while out, but bringing it home means only paying the cost of supplies, which in some cases can be used time and time again!

Tip #5- Decor

Home entertaining can be a bit mundane if it鈥檚 in the same spot and the environment is the same every time. If you鈥檙e looking to spice it up, try shopping at your local discount store to find cheap d茅cor such as streamers and balloons or themed . Adding these can be fun and inexpensive, with d茅cor sometimes costing under $10 for the entire room or space! Not only is d茅cor from discount stores affordable, but it can also be saved for next year and can really elevate the experience.

Tip #6- Borrow What You Don’t Have

If you鈥檙e hosting a big get-together and don鈥檛 have quite all the materials or space, try asking neighbors or others for spare supplies. For example, borrowing a folding card table from your next-door neighbor is much easier and cheaper than going out to purchase your own simply for entertaining one night. Though, if you鈥檙e planning to continue hosting get-togethers, it may be worth investing in your own so you aren鈥檛 having to worry about the logistics of tables and chairs at each event. Make sure to invite those you borrow from when appropriate!

Tip #7- No Need to Show Off

Just because you technically can, doesn鈥檛 mean you need to. If loved ones are coming over to visit, keep it simple and stay true to yourself. It can be easy to fall into a spiral of wanting the newest and best place settings and d茅cor to impress guests, but it is not necessary. Not only will you burn through funds on purchases that weren鈥檛 needed, but it can be a slippery slope trying to continually update and change to simply impress others. Chances are, if people are journeying to your home to spend a night or day with you, they鈥檒l be happy for the hospitality!

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Living comfortably during summer doesn’t have to be expensive. There are various ways to protect yourself from high temperatures without having to break the bank. Read below for tips that will help you cool your home and save money while doing it.

1. Keep the sun away from your home

While windows keep your home well ventilated, they also let sunlight inside which raises temperatures inside your rooms. Use blackout curtains and shades to block the sun from streaming into your home.聽 Placing plants in front of your window and using tainted windows can also be a useful way of keeping the sun away.

2. Check your appliance usage

Electrical appliances such as dishwashers produce heat. Limit the use of these appliances during summer and adopt alternative ways of getting work done such as grilling and drying laundry outside. Doing these activities outdoors will save your home from heat generated by dryers and ovens. Also, ensure that your appliances are unplugged when not in use, as they still produce heat even when not in use.

3. Find a cheap and convenient air conditioner

Find an affordable and efficient air conditioner such as that serves both as an air conditioner and a dehumidifier thus saving you money.

4. Insulate and ventilate your attic

The attic maintains comfortable temperatures in homes during any season. In summer, it traps hot air and thus keeps your home cool. It is therefore essential to vent this space to let the hot air outside. There are several attic fans available in the market that are effective in ensuring that your attic is well ventilated.

Insulating the walls of your attic is also a convenient way to cool your home. This insulation minimizes the heat that flows to your home from the attic as well as the heat that enters the attic.

5. Use Fans

Fans are cost-effective ways of cooling your home during summer. Make sure to turn off your fan when you are not at home to save energy and money. Since moisture makes cooling tough, ensure that your fan is on when you shower and when cooking.

6. Get a Dehumidifier

Eliminating moisture from air lowers the temperatures in your home and makes it cool and comfortable. Air conditioners work more effectively on dry air than in a humid environment. A dehumidifier will, therefore, boost your air conditioner鈥檚 performance and hence cool your home.

7. Clean your air conditioner.

It costs a lot less to maintain your A/C system than to install a new one. Have your A/C professionally checked and serviced annually. Using an electrostatic filter and changing it after every three months is also a convenient way to maintain your A/C as it saves you the high costs of repairing a damaged air conditioner or buying another.

In conclusion, surviving the heat during summer does not necessarily require costly advanced technology. Simple habits such as taking cold evening showers, using cotton sheets and keeping the windows open in the evening can go a long way into ensuring that you stay comfortable.

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