Between trips and cookouts, summer spending can really add up. So where can you find some savings that’ll let you still have fun without dropping as much cash?
Inflation is a common focus in finance these days, but some new numbers show major shifts in some categories. Investopedia’s Caleb Silver broke them down:
Silver says the biggest driver of the slowdown of inflation is gas prices, which are down 28%.
“If you are filling up your boat, if you are filling up some of your motorcycles, that's down 27.6%,” says Silver.
Silver also says meat, fish, poultry and eggs are down about 1% in price, another influential category that was way up last year, but no longer.
But what is more expensive this year? Silver says fruits and vegetables are the big one — up 6.8%. Recreational activities are also up 3.5%. So the savings at the pump could save big time as we hit the road for summer fun like a ballgame, which is costing more.
“Going out to sporting events with the family, up 3.9% year over year. Club memberships up 4.4% year over year,” says Silver.
But hosting a cookout at home with some games is costing a little less.
“Hamburger patties, hot dogs, those are down meaningfully, as are sports equipment if you are buying that Wiffle ball set or a volleyball set for the outdoors, that's also cheaper,” says Silver.