The Spring Money Checklist No One Talks About

Spring is basically the universe’s way of saying, “Hey… maybe get your life together?” Before summer shows up with higher electric bills, bored kids, spontaneous trips, and iced coffee treats, now is the perfect time to make a few smart money moves. A little planning in the spring can save you from scrambling later. There are 10 things on this spring money checklist, and none of them are extreme or complicated. They’re simple, strategic shifts that help you head into summer feeling confident, prepared, and just a little smug about your bank account.

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Spring Money Checklist

I like to use spring to make these money moves. For me spring is the best time of the year, because once summer hits, I want to splurge a bit. Anything from new bikinis to fun new experiences for me and my daughter.

These are ten simple things to do in the spring, to get your money situation in a good place for the warm months to come!

1. Revisit Your Budget for Warmer Months

Spring is the perfect time to check in on where your money is actually going.

Look at the last 2–3 months of spending and see what’s crept up (subscriptions, takeout, impulse buys).

Adjust for upcoming seasonal expenses like camps, vacations, AC/electric bill increases, or spring sports. A quick refresh now prevents summer panic later.

2. Start (or Beef Up) a Summer Sinking Fund

Summer spending isn’t a surprise…it’s predictable. Start setting aside a small weekly amount for vacations, day trips, kids’ activities, weddings, and extra groceries.

Even $20–$50 a week adds up fast for:

Vacations
Camps
Extra childcare
Backyard upgrades

Future you will be very grateful when you’re paying cash instead of swiping.

3. Use Your Tax Refund Strategically

If you receive a tax refund, resist the urge to “accidentally” spend it.

Decide ahead of time how much goes to savings, debt payoff, home projects, or investments.

A simple split strategy (like 50% savings, 30% debt, 20% fun) keeps it balanced and intentional.

Split it:

Emergency fund – 50%
High-interest debt – 30%
One fun allocation – 20%

For more smart things to do with your tax refund, check out this post.

4. Declutter and Sell Before Garage Sale Season Peaks

Spring cleaning can literally pay you. Go room by room and list gently used items on Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark, or local resale groups.

Clothes, baby gear, small appliances, sports equipment, it adds up.

Use the extra cash to add to your savings or to fund summer fun.

Read this post for the best places to sell your stuff for the most money.

5. Audit Subscriptions Before Summer Spending Ramps Up

Streaming services, apps, memberships, they multiply quietly.

Audit everything.

Cancel what you don’t use and negotiate bills like internet or insurance.

Even shaving $20–$40 per month frees up hundreds over the rest of the year.

Over the cold winter months, I subscribe to more streaming services for us. In the spring, I cancel all but my favorite one or two streaming services.

It’s amazing how much money this can free up! I also audit and cancel paid monthly apps that I don’t use a lot.

6. Spring Money Checklist Idea: Plan Low-Cost Summer Fun Now

When kids get bored over the summer, it’s easy to throw money at the situation, but last-minute plans can be expensive plans.

Map out vacations, camps, and events early so you can book ahead, look for deals, and avoid peak pricing.

Planning reduces impulse spending and spreads costs out instead of cramming them into one painful month.

Free festivals, library events, splash pads, hiking spots…planning ahead prevents impulse spending.

These posts have some of my favorite free or cheap summer activities:

7. Prep for Higher Utility Bills

Air conditioning, extra laundry, kids home all day…summer utility bills can spike fast (I’m always surprised each year how high our electricity bill is the month we turn the AC on).

Start setting aside a small buffer now or look for ways to reduce usage.

Ceiling fans, blackout curtains, and smart thermostat settings can help keep costs manageable.

Seal drafts
Service AC
Swap air filters
Adjust thermostat habits

8. Set a “No Impulse Summer” Rule

Create a 48-hour rule before buying non-essentials.

If it’s not groceries, gas, or something you truly planned for, it waits.

Add it to a note on your phone or your cart and revisit it two days later.

Most “I need this for summer” purchases lose their sparkle once the emotional rush fades.

This simple pause helps you separate excitement from necessity, and saves you from ending the season wondering where all your money went.

If you still want it after 48 hours, you can buy it because you chose it intentionally.

9. Check Your Emergency Fund

Summer often brings surprise expenses.

Car repairs before a road trip. A last-minute medical copay. The air conditioner deciding it’s done with life during a heat wave. It’s not dramatic…it’s just real life stuff.

Take a minute to see where your emergency fund stands.

If it’s lower than you’d like, use spring to slowly build it back up before the unexpected hits.

Even adding a small weekly transfer creates a cushion that keeps surprise expenses from turning into credit card debt.

Read this to find out how much money you should have in your emergency fund (and how to get there).

10. Set One Bold Summer Money Goal

Instead of vaguely hoping you’ll “do better with money,” pick one bold, specific goal and commit to it.

Clarity creates momentum.

When you know exactly what you’re working toward, it becomes easier to say no to random spending and yes to progress.

Write the goal down.

Track it weekly.

Celebrate milestones along the way.

By the end of summer, you won’t just have memories…you’ll have proof that you can follow through on a financial promise to yourself.

Examples:

Pay off one credit card
Save $1,000
Cash-flow a trip

To add to your summer income, check out this post with 11 fun summer side hustles.