Beat the heat this summer

I adore living in a part of the country where we experience all four seasons. But, that also means enduring some intense heat waves this time of year. That’s why this week, I’m sharing my favorite ways to stay cool in the dog days of summer.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate

My kiddos are always running in and grabbing glass after glass of water to fill up during summer. Somehow, our cups manage to get lost at the neighbor’s home, in the garage, in the car, in totes, etc. When it starts to get hot out, stock up on the generic Camelback-style water bottles at the Dollar Store. They are BPA free, affordable to buy in bulk, and you won’t be disappointed if they get misplaced.

Expert tip: these are also great to stock up on when school starts again next month!

Put that water hose to good use

Summer’s the perfect time to bust out the sprinkler or hose and have some cool-down fun!

I used to be extremely wary of doing this frequently, concerned about a water bill spike. Then someone shared an idea with me that I gladly copied: let the kids play in the hose or sprinkler when you have outside chores to do. Wash the car, the dog, the lawn or the flowers at the same time. Give your kiddos 10-minute breaks in between to run their little hearts out. Brilliant!

Bring on the frozen treats

Who doesn’t love the sound of the ice cream truck coming through the neighborhood on a hot summer day? However, if you’re home frequently during the summer, trips to the truck can add up. That’s why I recommend stockpiling sweet treats (in an outdoor fridge if you have one) for those blazing hot days.

If you’re the handy type, check out DIY fresh fruit or yogurt recipes. They are generally healthy, cheap and easy to store.

Where there’s a will, there’s a way, and I’m all about beating the heat the affordable way. Follow these tips, and you’re sure to stay cool this summer.

This story was originally published June 30, 2017 at 7:43 PM with the headline "Beat the heat this summer."