Fresh Start July Issue | Page 18

15 Cheap Ways to Stay Cool This Summer Try these tricks to beat the heat. When the weather is hot and humid, turning on the air conditioner at full blast or sticking your head in the freezer sure feels nice – but neither is energy efficient or particularly frugal. The 15 ideas below, however, will help keep your temperature down without sending your electric bill up. 1. Go to the library. The library is filled with free books, magazines, movies, Wi-Fi and, most likely, air conditioning. Instead of reading or surfing the Internet at home on a hot day, do it at the library instead. And if you have kids, be sure to look into what programs might be available for little ones in 18 the summer, such as story time or book clubs. be able to get out of the heat while the sun is shining. 2. See a matinee. Another place that pumps in air conditioning is movie theaters. If you’re planning to see a new movie anyway, make it a matinee. The ticket price will be cheaper, and you’ll 3. Take a shower – and don’t towel off. A cool shower is already a great way to help beat the heat. But when you’re done, dry yourself in front of a fan instead of using a towel – the