We have officially entered Spring. As we swap out our wardrobes and gear up for some outdoor fun, we also need to be mindful of our wallets. Higher temperatures often mean higher energy bills when we blast the air conditioning to make it through the day. The change in season often means a time to buy some new clothes, new outdoor furniture, active gear, plants!

It is all too easy to run up a surprising bill trying to adapt to this new time of year, so we are here to help. Here are 5 ways to save money this Spring.

While most of us will be spending a lot more time luxuriating in the warm weather, most will also get their first shock when the energy bill comes due. Warming up your house in the winter might be a little pricey, but if you’re trying to keep your living space at a comfortable temperature when the thermostat is reading 80 degrees and the sun is blaring through the windows, those air conditioning costs can get pretty out of control.

The first step is to maximize your house’s ability to stay cool. Read up on all of the tips and tricks right here, but at a glance this means keeping all of the windows and doors closed, plugging up any leaks around doors and windows, and providing shade to your condenser unit outside so it won’t need to work nearly as hard.

For an even simpler hack, try turning off the tv and using a fan to keep your immediate area cool without cranking up the A/C to cool down the whole house. Read up on our best fan recommendations right here. This will save you a ton of money on the energy bill, and many fan options will provide immediate relief for a small fraction of the energy cost.

This will be a tip you have to jump on quickly. As retailers start to bring out their latest clothing lines, furniture, lawn care, etc., you can expect big deals and discounts as they all compete with the competition.

Luckily for you, this means that both online and brick and mortar retailers will be participating, and you can get a great deal if you move quickly. Check out this article from Today.com to see their take on the best time to buy Spring products.

With the warm weather and abundant sunlight, many people decide to tackle their home improvement projects in the Spring time. Whether it be painting a room, installing shelving, or making minor repairs, you can save significant money buy taking on these projects yourself.

If you’re looking for some inspiration, check out this article from Bob Vila about the 30 DIY home projects that anyone can handle.

Whether you have a big backyard or just a few windows, Spring is an excellent time to start gardening. This can not only be a fun new hobby, but growing fruits, vegetables, and herbs can actually save you a good chunk of change on your grocery bills.

All you need are some planters, many can even be hung from a window, and then seeds, soil, and fertilizer.

Taking advantage of the nice weather is not only a great change of pace from Winter, but it can also be a lot cheaper. You no longer need to plan indoor events where you pay for the activity, pay for the food, and pay for the drinks.

Go on a hike, spend the day at the park, or find a nature trail for a walk! You will be pleasantly surprised with how much money you’ll be saving every weekend when you can have a great day outside.