I’m proud to announce our most recent giveaway: $480 Cash!
The theme of this giveaway is: In the Summer I Spend the Most Money on…
When I sat down and thought about this question, I realized that what I spend the most on has changed year-after-year.
Since I Just bought a house this past Fall, I had a ton of things I needed to buy this Summer for our yard. Lawn Mower, weed trimmer, wheelbarrow, grill…the list goes on and on. Later this Summer I plan on replacing our debilitated retaining wall and finish the fence in our yard. If we were to completely redo the landscaping in our yard I don’t even want to know how much the bill would be! One thing I would encourage people who are renting is: enjoy not having to spend money on maintenance and upgrades to your yard! Enjoy parks and other people’s houses while you can. This is not to say it’s not worth having a house with a yard, it just can hit your wallet hard.
Funny story: My wife won a $400 lawn mower in a giveaway that I immediately returned to Home Depot (I had just bought one a couple weeks earlier so we didn’t need it). That $400 store credit was so nice! She also recently won a $300 faucet in a giveaway and I plan on doing the same thing and spending it on other more pressing needs.
Note: we do a giveaway roundup each Friday that lists over 100 giveaways that end within the next week – click here and choose the most recent post to see giveaways ending this week.
Before this year, I think entertainment and eating out would be the thing that I spend the most money on. In the winter in Minnesota it is much easier to just go home at the end of the day and not really go out much. In the Summer, though, there is an endless number of things to do outside and around town (or short weekend trips that sound attractive now that the weather is nice). In the past I have spent and continue to do spend more money on this during the Summer versus the Winter.
On to the giveaway!
One lucky winner will win: $480 Cash via PayPal! Participant must be 18 years or older to enter. The winner will be notified by email, and this giveaway is open WORLDWIDE. The giveaway will end on July 21st at 11:59pm CT. See full terms and conditions in the Rafflecopter widget.
Enter via the Rafflecopter below. Good luck!
Check out some of our favorite personal finance resources:
Are you getting the best credit card rewards? Check out the top cash back credit card offers (updated daily)
Make extra money: 15 ways to make money from your computer
Get the First Chapter Free!
Join our online community and get the first chapter of the book Student Loan Solution absolutely FREE!
This summer I spent most of my money on dental treatment. I know its kind of funny but I had a couple of filling to be redone, scaling and a wisdom tooth extraction and it costs a lot. But after all timely treatment will help me save money in the long run, so I went ahead with it.
And if I win the $480 prize I’ll use it to buy a new laptop as my old laptop is almost on the passing stage :) .
ersharmarohitNot funny at all! My wife needs her wisdom teeth out soon so hopefully we can do that within the next few months!
I feel your pain about buying things for the yard. It seems like it never ends once you become a home owner. We’re working on that nearly every summer, though it is fun to sit back and see what you’re able to create as a result. I plan on winning the giveaway ;) so that’ll be a nice addition to our yard budget. :)
FrugalRules Yeah it really does eat up the budget, and I have so many “wants” for the backyard! The only “need” that I see right now is getting a new retaining wall up – my friend will be working on that with me in a couple weeks here. You probably have a good chance of winning – I bet you already follow most of the blogs listed!
Yuck – we have to do a retaining wall soon too. Luckily, Rick spent a summer working for a buddy who owned a landscaping biz, so we can make this a DIY project. Our big money project though, is staining the barn. That’ll eat up a good chunk of our summer money budget, that’s for sure. But we’ll be making sure to throw some fun stuff in there too :-)
Laurie TheFrugalFarmerIt’s always good to have some fun! My friend is a pro at retaining walls and is currently looking for work so I will be paying him (and working with him) to get the wall done sometime in the next few weeks.
Thanks for putting together the giveaway!
Eyesonthedollar Thanks for participating!
I’m definitely glad to not have to spend on yard work, though I would like to actually have a yard. Can’t I have it both ways! Haha. We definitely take advantage of all the free parks and beaches near us. It’s been really nice to get outside after a long winter.
Matt @ Mom and Dad MoneyFree parks are awesome! My neighbors have small kids and they use the park all the time. Their backyard is a bonus but they don’t spend much time working on it because they are always across the street at the park.
I know, outdoor expenses do add up quickly. Congrats again on winning so many things. You two are very lucky!! And thanks very much for organizing this. It’s been fun!
TacklingOurDebtThe funny thing is my wife is NOT lucky in general, which is why it’s awesome when she wins giveaways. Thanks for working on the giveaway as well!
We spend more money during the summer on landscaping and house maintenance. Plus vacations of course. But it is all things we have prepared for and saved up in the months leading up to the summer. That way we can do these projects and have family fun without adjusting our budget much or going into debt.
Luke_1428 Planning ahead is the way to go.
Awesome giveaway, thanks for putting it up!
RFIndependence No problem, I hope you win!
Yes, keeping up with a house takes a lot of money. We don’t do major home improvement projects during the summer. For one it’s just too hot in Houston to be out all day. So we focus on doing stuff inside like repainting a room or replacing blinds. And even then my husband finds an excuse to buy a new toy at Home Depot :)
And how awesome is it that your wife won those giveaways…well how awesome for you LOL. Happy July and thanks so much for putting this giveaway together!
WFHConcepts Thanks a ton for participating! Everything is frozen in the Winter here so we can’t really do much as far as outdoor home improvement goes until Summer.
I spend the most money on electricity during the summer because of the air conditioner. If I won I would put the money towards bills.
SherriCaudillLewis Ah we run our AC quite a bit in the Summer as well…I have terrible allergies so I can’t really have the windows open.
I would use the money for our camping trips
tcarolinep Nice! Definitely need to get camping this Summer, at least once.
Wow – all those giveaways are paying off quite nicely! It sounds like you have a lot of projects planned for the summer. We’re doing more stuff inside – remodeling/redecorating – than outside. Granted, in LA our lawn is tiny compared to what you probably have! Thanks for including me in the giveaway! :)
TheHeavyPurse Ah yes it’s probably a bit different there ;) No problem for including you, and sorry for the mixup earlier – now have your options in alphabetical order!
Sweet. We’re sorry we missed out on this one!
GregatClubThrifty There will more likely than not be another one ;)
We’d probably spend it on our honeymoon cruise :)
Money Life and More Oh dang! That’ll be an awesome honeymoon.
You guys are really killing it with the giveaways! Entering this one and crossing my fingers. An extra $480 sure would come in handy!
StudentDebtSurvivor Good luck!
That’s awesome you were able to win that stuff and turn it around for cash! I think even us renters can use home depot store credit. Thanks for the giveaway!
Normally, all of my summer cash goes towards summer clothes and vacations. But if I won the $480, it would be going towards wedding expenses (they just keep piling up!) :)
Ice cream is a pretty big expenditure…but realistically probably travel. Since I’m in a master’s program on top of my regular job, I only have a few months free this year and have to make the most of the time!
Either put it in the bank or buy a better car than what I was going to buy.
I am spending the most on traveling this summer. I am taking advantage of some work trips to get multiple great vacations on a budget! I would spend this money to pay of debts and continue to support my career development courses.
I spend the most on the A/C bill (Texas!) and I’d use the cash to pay down some credit card debt
I would use it to pay bills unfortunately! About to spend a TON on dental work for me and my hubby…
I would use the money to pay for my expensive prescription medications, I have diabetes and have to take several different meds, plus I have metabolic disease, so in total I take 12 meds daily and some of them twice per day.
I’m gonna pamper myself a lot =)
i spend most money on various weekend trips: to the sea, to a cabin near a lake, forest with tents and so on, but if i would win, i would spend on some clothes as you cannot have enough clothes :)
school clothes for my girls
This is going to sound so very boring but probably put it toward savings:)
I would use the money toward remodeling my 19 year old kitchenI
I’d use the cash to upgrade my cell to smart phone, buy hubby a new laptop since his is busted and save some.
I spend the most money on gas during the summer because I am constantly going somewhere so I don’t get cabin fever. I don’t work during the summer so I need something to do, lol. If I won I would probably help my parents out and buy my youngest brother school clothes for the upcoming year.
I’d spend most of that money on textbooks. Going to school is ridiculously expensive
I’d pay the bills with the money, it’ll help a lot. Thanks!
Very nice idea, I’ll buy my young daughter a tablet
I would save it :)
I have four kids (12, 15, 17, and 20) so we spend a lot of money on groceries.
vacation ! :)
I spend the most on vacation and I would use the money for school clothes
I definitely could use it towards the tires and brakes my car needs!
cricetjean Ugh auto expenses are the worst, best of luck in the giveaway!
Wow, this would be so clutch as I’m wedding planning. All these expenses are realllyyy starting to add up! My huuby-to-be is really being helpful in helping me pay for a huge chunk of things.
LaDomene13 Best of luck!
I would spend it on paying a bill.
I’d spend the money on airfare for a trip!
vacation :)
The thing that we spend the most on in the summer is camping! I would probably use the money to buy some school clothes for the kids!
In the summer I spend money on icecream ;) fresh juices, dresses….. etc!! If I won I’d use the money to go on a better vacation (since I don’t have a proper one in a LONG time!)
Food. Seriously. We spend the most money on food. We have five kids, one a college grad, one two courses away from being a college grad, two more in college, one still in high school. Everyone lives at home with us. We are encouraging them to save to pay cash for cars, pay student loans, have cash for purchases and good down payments for homes.
If I win I might use the money to get away for a few days with my husband!
tammigirl Sounds like you could use a weekend away! That’s a ton of kids!
If I win, one I would get new camera lens for my camera. two I would put it towards developing photos. three… take a day trip or over night to duluth to take photos.
CoreyBeth01 Duluth is a beautiful city!
I’d invest it in my home, new light fixtures!
I’d use this to go on vacation. My husband and I haven’t been since 2010 when we were married, so winning would be wonderful!
Most summers I spend money on anything to do with getting out of the house.Spend so much time in the house during the other seasons.
I would use the money towards some car repairs. Need to buy a new set of headlights.
Dogs! Dogs! Dogs! Keeping them cooled off, entertained, etc.!
I’d use the money to buy shoes.
My e-mail: blackasphodel(at)yahoo(dot)com
I would hold on to it for xmas shopping
I would buy a computer!
I’d spend the money on gas.
I would seriously use the money to catch up on bills. Nothing fun over here!
I would use the money to help pay for some yard work I have hire out.
I would use the money towards a new computer and printer – that we desperately need. This thing is ancient! :-)
If I’m the lucky one, I would save the money for my next trip :-)
I would use it to help pay bills that we’re struggling to pay! Thanks!
In the summer, I spend the most money on lotion because I have sensitive skin that gets very dry!
Credit card debt! Any and all extra money goes straight to that
I’m moving next month, so it would be a huge help for gas and things for the new place!
Am saving up for an upcoming trip so that would be it.
We really need new tires, so I would use the money for that. :)
I would buy a new laptop if I won.
rounder9834 @yahoo.com
Seems like our biggest summer expense is gas money taking mini road trips to explore our new state and part of the country.