4 Ways To Have a Hot Girl Summer Without Totally Wrecking Your Finances
When the legendary bard Megan Thee Stallion rapped, “It’s a Hot Girl Summer, so you know she’s got it lit,” she created a new anthem for summer fun. The epitome of a hot girl summer is good times and high glamour, which you likely think means high costs as well. But you can have a real hot girl summer without burning up your savings.
Another thing that hot girls do? They learn how to use their money effectively and avoid overspending. While MoneyLion is no Megan Thee Stallion — who else could be the icon herself? — we would like to offer you some hot money tips to embrace summer fun without going broke.
For You: Are Summer Splurges Breaking Your Budget? 3 Signs You've Gone Off the Rails
Discover How: Start Growing Your Net Worth With Smarter Tracking
Stop Comparing Your Summer to Everyone Else's
If scrolling on Instagram or TikTok gives you the sense that everyone is cooler than you — jetting off on vacay, hobnobbing at musicals or sporting new clothes every week — it’s time to put down your phone and get real.
According to Amber Kinney, a licensed mental health counselor at Amber Kinney LLC, comparing your summer to others is a bad move for your mental and financial health. With her training in financial therapy, Kinney said comparison truly can be the thief of joy.
Remember, many of these online influencers are getting paid to take those vacations or receiving free products from brands. Thinking you’ve got to keep up with the Joneses when the Joneses have these kinds of opportunities will just lead to overspending.
"I see people either compare themselves to how many trips others are taking, especially influencers who are paid to do so, or all the pretty things these folks are buying and often selling," Kinney said.
Instead, Kinney suggested you stop fixating on what looks good online and ask yourself what experiences would genuinely make you happy. You might find a lower-effort, lower-cost adventure suits you just fine.
Save for Summer Fun Before You Swipe
Going to Aruba sounds like some real hot girl fun this summer. So, you book the tickets right away because you’re resourceful. You’ll figure out how to cover the costs. Right?
If you guess wrong, you could find yourself in some serious debt by the time hot girl fall rolls around. Kinney said you’d be better off planning and saving for big trips and other summer fun in advance.
That means calculating the full cost of your vacation upfront, including airfare, lodging, meals, transportation, entertainment and spending money.
"I encourage working backward from how much something costs, then saving a certain amount automatically each month for however many months beforehand," Kinney said.
You can divide that amount by the number of months or paychecks you have before it’s time for your hot summer adventure. Kinney suggested automating your savings transfers into a separate vacation fund. That way, you can enjoy your time in the sun knowing it’s already paid for — and you won’t be hit with a credit card bill when you get home.
Learn How To Say No Without Missing Out
When you’re a hot girl, your summer social calendar fills up fast — and it gets expensive. One weekend alone can include brunch, a concert, a birthday dinner and a last-minute day at the beach. It’s a lot, and sometimes it’s too much for your budget.
That’s why Kinney said setting financial boundaries is so important.
"Learning to say no in different ways is helpful for financial boundary setting," Kinney said. "I can't go here, but I can go here. No doesn't have to sound like a straight-up no."
Instead of an expensive restaurant, you can suggest a casual happy hour at a less expensive spot or even a potluck. If your friend’s wild bachelorette weekend is out of your price range, attend one day of the festivities to support both her and your budget.
You’re not a bad friend for speaking up. Heck, many people in your friend group may be grateful and relieved that you did.
Remember That Small Experiences Can Create the Best Memories
A real hot girl summer doesn't require a luxury vacation or a packed itinerary. The moments you remember most could be the simple ones.
"For a memorable summer, you can find small ways to still have fun and relax," Kinney said. "Little weekend trips, a garden at home, small outings or dinner parties at home with friends can tide you over until the bigger trip or event."
The Bottom Line
When you let go of comparisons, embrace boundaries and find cost-effective alternatives, you can have summer fun without going into debt. Now that's real hot girl stuff.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal, or tax advice.
More From MoneyLion: