For most people, summertime is travel season. Between flights, hotels stays, amusement parks, rental cars, etc. taking a vacation can really put a strain on the family budget, especially in the midst of a recession. Even buying basic travel gear can end up costing as much if not more than the trip itself. Naturally, you’d rather spend your cash on souvenirs and attractions than on the boring stuff. Take luggage, for example. Top of the line luggage sets will run you at least a $1,000, and that’s only for a five piece set. Most people can’t afford to drop that much money on leather bags, but they don’t want to have to settle for something that they’ll end up having to replace as soon as the plane lands. Budget conscious shoppers may be able to find the name brands they trust at affordable prices by visiting outlet stores like Ross, Marshals, Nordstrom’s Rack, or TJ Maxx. These stores all carry attractive styles from well known companies, including Jansport, Levi’s, and Kipling. Chances are, you’ll be able to find an awesome deal on luggage right now because the travel season is winding down. Shopping on-line for luggage is another way to snag a terrific buy, as long as you don’t mind paying for shipping. This basic black 4 piece set will only set you back a little over a hundred dollars on-line as opposed to several hundred in retail establishments.

Don’t forget your carryon bag, though. Some sets include them, although the bag they refer to as a carryon might not fit your definition of the word. A quality carryon bag needs to be large enough to hold all your most important gear, such as your cell phone, laptop/netbook, MP3 player, wallet, snacks, etc. But since this is a bag that’s going to actually be with you for more than a few minutes or stashed away in a hotel room, you’ll want to look for both style and durability. Ladies should consider something like this because it’s large enough to be functional, and has a cute pattern. Plus, the price is right! Men will probably like something along these lines; a no frills bag with tons of pockets for easy organizing. You can always visit the previously mentioned stores to find an inexpensive carryon bag, but you’ll find a much larger selection on-line.

A lot of times, we get so caught up in the excitement of getting away from it all that we forget to gather simple things like toiletries before we take off. Then we end up stuck somewhere without any mouthwash and end up paying through the nose for some Scope in the hotel lobby. By planning ahead, you can avoid price gougers and other tourist traps. Stop by a pharmacy, such as Rite Aid, CVS, or Walgreens and pick up mini bottles of toothpaste, mouth wash, a tiny toothbrush and anything else you’re going to need to stay clean. The 99 cents store has these types of item, too, so don’t be afraid to check out their selection to find a real bargain. As long as you take the time to scout out great deals, you should be able to make the necessary preparations for your dream getaway without using up all your souvenir savings.  

Almost everyone associates summer with prime relaxation, enjoying the company of friends, family, and neighbors. When the weather heats up, it’s time to fire up the grill and get ready to do some serious entertaining in the backyard. Barbecuing is a summer mainstay, but before you start making out your guest list, take a look at your backyard set up. It probably took a pretty bad beating over the winter and needs a makeover like nobody’s business. That doesn’t mean you have to take out a second mortgage, though. There are plenty of ways to prepare for company without spending the kids’ college funds. First things first, let’s go over what you’ll need, and then we can talk about ways to save on great stuff.

You can’t have a B.B.Q. party without a grill, natch. We recommend getting a natural gas model, but those can be pretty pricy. There’s no reason to buy one of these bad boys unless you plan on cooking outside throughout the year or you happen to live in a warm climate. For folks who will only use a grill for a few months out of the year, this simple charcoal version should do the trick. Don’t let its inexpensive price fool you; this is definitely a quality product that will last for a long time. It’s a Webber for goodness sake! Sure, it doesn’t have any fancy frills (if you like that sort of thing…). But there’s no need to try and impress your guests with a high tech machine; tasty food speaks for itself.

Once you’ve got the grill situation worked out, you’ll want to focus on seating. Depending on how many people you’d like to invite, your seating options vary considerably. A couple of simple folding tables should suffice if you’re only planning on serving a close knit group. For larger parties, you’ll need something bigger that can accommodate several adults. One or two of these fine outdoor dining sets are exactly what you need. For an informal setting, comfortable yet durable recliners will allow your guests to soak up the chill vibe without making them feel like they’re stuck at some stuffy country club.

So far, everything’s been focused on adults; don’t forget about the kids!  A cute picnic table will surely put smiles on their faces, and it won’t be difficult to clean. This way the kids can have their fun and make a mess without disturbing your older visitors. Another kid friendly addition to the yard is a hammock. You don’t even have to worry about what you’re going to tie it to because there are ready made stands that provide the necessary durability. A hammock is real kid pleaser and brings out the child in just about anybody. Now some people are lucky enough to have a pool, which is a life saver in terms of keeping the kids occupied while the adults do their thing. For everyone else, there are backyard water parks! Trust us, your kids and their friends will NEVER get tired of playing on a water slide. Another option that can be used almost any time of year is a swing set, which is almost like having a park in your home. Add a sandbox to the mix and you’ll never have to worry about having bored kids! A basketball hoop is another idea, provided you have the space for one. The best thing about these is that they’ll never outgrow shooting hoops.

As awesome as these toys are, they may be out of some parent’s price range. Squirt guns are not nearly as elaborate, but they still bring hours of inexpensive entertainment.  The same goes for water balloons, especially if you spring for a slingshot. Slip and slides are an affordable classic and all you need to use them is an ordinary garden hose. Make sure you have someone to stand watch as these require adult or older teen supervision.  

Last week we talked about saving on swimwear during mid-season sales. This time around, let’s broaden our scope to include cool summer clothes in general. You might think that it’s too late to get the good stuff, but there are plenty of trendy summer styles left to go around, especially since shoppers aren’t buying like they used to. Stores and e-tailers are finding themselves stuck with massive overstock, which means huge savings for you! Look around and you’re sure to find these hot summer must have items for prices you can actually afford!

Girls: This summer’s fashion trends are an eclectic mix of the 60s, 80s, and contemporary innovation. This may sound confusing, but with careful planning, you can achieve a balanced look that reflects all of these cute combos!

Denim shorts (especially frayed)- That’s right girls, denim shorts aren’t really the comfiest thing you can wear in hot weather, but they are definitely the hottest trend right now. We all know that you have to suffer for fashion, but you can opt for lighter washes or grab some crisp, clean white denim to lessen the heat factor. This year it’s all about rips, so be sure to find a pair or two with frayed edges and a few properly placed holes.

Rompers- Speaking of comfy, thank goodness for rompers! Throw these on for the ultimate relaxed vibe and feel. While this style isn’t flattering for certain body types, there are some designs that are more forgiving than others, if you catch our drift.  Fuller figured beauties should probably avoid the tube varieties, and stick to ones with a little more coverage. Skinny minis can take their pick, as usual. These adorable pieces come in lots of colors, shapes, and patterns, so there’s always something for everyone.

Floral/Tribal Prints- Patterns are still going strong, especially floral and tribal prints.  Floral prints add a classic feminine flair and bold tribal designs make an edgy statement. The best part about this trend is its versatility; you can mix and match printed tees, tanks, sweaters, and sun dresses to spice things up. The possibilities are endless when it comes to these vibrant styles, so don’t be shy— there’s nothing wrong with standing out in the crowd!

Tie Dye- It doesn’t get more colorful than tie dye! Let your freak flag fly and embrace your inner hippie this summer by sporting tie dye tees, tanks, light hoodies, bags, and shoes. For extra originality, take a tip from the counter culture warriors themselves and make your own gear. You can buy home tie dye kits to create exactly what you want. Plus, you can be sure that no one else will be able to copy you because you’ve got your own world to live through, dig?

Jeggings- Part jean, part legging, these ultra sleek, form fitting bottoms have become a fashion craze! They go with everything you’d pair with a normal pair of jeans, but they have added sex appeal, which is always appreciated.

Flats/Sandals- Flats have been in for a while now because you can dress them up or down, depending on the occasion and sandals are no brainer summer staple. Flats are a dressier option for hot summer nights, but sandals will always rule the summer. Flip fops are the epitome of casual although leather ones don’t give off as strong of a beach vibe as the rubber kind.

Guys: Ok, so guys don’t care about fashion, at least they say they don’t. But that doesn’t mean they don’t want to look cool; otherwise they’d let their moms dress them! To make things easier on guys and the girls who have to shop for them (ahem), here’s a list of some of stuff every dude needs to beat the heat!

Wayfayer Sunglasses-Get ready for a blast from the past, the 1980s, that is. Wayfayer sunglasses are making a huge comeback this year, which means they should be at the top of your accessories list. Don’t have accessories list? There, there. We won’t hold it against you as long as promise to actually take our advice! Ditch the bulky aviators and go for a preppy pair of wayfayers. Your girlfriend will thank you.

Board Shorts-These are way more than just swimwear. Surfer dudes are known to sport them all year long, but unless you’re a serious beach bum, you should probably save these for summer. These come in lots of loud colors and designs that are sure to turn heads wherever you go.

Tanks- Tanks are not just for girls anymore. These shirts are way more comfortable than regular sleeved ones when the thermometer’s on the rise. Sure, not every guy can pull these off, but as long as you’ve got a toned torso, you’ve got nothing to hide.

Plaid Shorts-These golf inspired shorts have been in for a few years now and they’re still going strong. They go with just about everything and they’re not as clingy as jean shorts. As long as you stick to stuff that doesn’t make people think you’re searching for your lost caddy, you’re good to go!

Hats (Beanies, Fedoras)-This year, put your old baseball caps away because you won’t be needing them. This season’s hats are more grown up, but still sporty. Try a fedora or a beanie instead of the same hat you’ve been wearing since little league.  

Skinny Jeans- Yeah, in spite of the temperatures, skinny jeans are literally everywhere. Surprisingly enough, guys are fixated on super dark washes, too. Whatever.

With July already in full swing, you may think that the time to grab cool swimwear has passed— nothing could be further from the truth! Buying anything mid-season is a great way to save money because stores are trying to get rid of their stock in order to make room for the next round of apparel. In this case, retailers are probably trying to clear out their bathing suits before the fall lineup hits their shelves. This is especially true because fall is back to school time, and no one wants to go to school in a bikini. Well, maybe they do, but their parents won’t let them!

You can find killer deals right now at your local mall, sporting goods stores, and on-line. Here are some of my favorite places to grab beachwear:

Pacsun- This is basically THE spot for surf styles. While their prices can be a little high, you can always find awesome deals in their sale section. They have plenty of items to choose from, for both guys and girls. Plus, they have tons of accessories like flip flops, cover-ups, tees, etc.

Zumiez- This store is a lot like PacSun, only they specialize in skating instead of surfing. But don’t let that emphasis fool you because Zumiez has enough swimwear to go around for guys and girls alike. They do have more stuff for guys than girls, though, so keep that in mind. Still, they have year round sales to take advantage of along with on-line only deals. If you go to their site, you can filter search results by price to help you stay within your budget.

Ross- Sure, it doesn’t sound very glamorous, but so what? No one has to know where you bought that super cute bikini anyway and chances are, only your girlfriends will even ask. Ross doesn’t showcase their inventory on their site itself because it’s literally constantly changing. You actually have to physically visit a store to check out their selection, and you should definitely come prepared to search. Much like TJ Maxx and Marshalls, you have to spend a lot of time scouring the store to find the good stuff, but it’s totally worth it when you find the perfect item for half the regular price. Besides, you know you love spending the day shopping. You’re going to be gone for hours at the mall anyway, so why not save some serious cash in the process?