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In Search of Happy, Less Costly Summers
Planning early leads to good deals and lessens the chance for surprises
Summer is a season of excitement — filled with camps, vacations and family outings — but all that fun can come with a hefty price tag and a big budget hit.
A 2024 survey by the American Express Spending and Saving Tracker found that the average U.S. family planned to spend over $2,800 on summer activities. That was a noticeable increase from previous years.
With rising costs for travel, childcare and entertainment, budgeting smartly has never been more important.
Teresa Britton, founder of MomsWhoSave, and financial experts at Experian, a global information services company, gave tips on how to budget for summer fun, including camps, trips and family adventures.
Plan for Travel Hoping for Fun While Being Ready for Anything
When planning a summer budget, these are the most common top priorities:
- Childcare: 66 percent of parents say summer camps are essential but costly.
- Vacations average $2,100 per family.
- Have local fun such as libraries, splash pads and other low-cost relief.
