It's that time of year again to pull out your bathing suits, catch a tan under the summer sun and freeze your brain with vanilla ice-cream. But with increased living costs, this summer might be more of struggle to fill your time whilst on a budget. But don’t worry there are so many things you can do that won’t break the bank.

Get creative in the kitchen

It's a simple one, but people tend to eat out more during the summer as they spend more time outside. Before you know it, you’ve spent more money on food than anything else. An easy solution would be to eat out less, or prepare yourself packed lunches whenever you plan to head outside.

The Japanese styled bento boxes have been picking up popularity recently and its variant of kyaraben (character bento) where you decorate your food to look like fictional characters. This adds an element of fun and creativity to preparing your own home-packed meals.

Being a savvy grocery shopper helps too. If you're struggling with keeping on budget with your weekly shop then these 11 tips may be a lifesaver

Explore the halls of museums and art galleries

There are a number of museums to visit in Bedfordshire and London, full of arts and the world's wonders to boggle your mind, and most have free entry. The Tate Modern, The National History Museum and The Victoria and Albert Museum are just a few to name that are free to enter.

To stay local you can even visit Luton's very own Stockwood Discovery Centre and Wardown House Museum and Gallery or The Panacea Museum and The Higgins Art Gallery and Museum in Bedford.

However, maybe you want to catch exhibitions on display, but the tickets are way too costly. Then the student art pass is your friend. You've probably already come across it in your school emails, but if not, this yearly pass, which costs just£10 allows users to get 50% off art exhibitions as well as reduced costs to art museums that do require payment for entry.

Party at festivals for free!

It wouldn't be summer without the bright colours and loud music of a festival. Whilst many festivals require payment to enter, there are thankfully many free ones across the country. The Luton Carnival is one to write home about, bursting with culture and feel good fun.

You'll find many free local festivals nearby in London to participate in this summer such as The Lambeth Country Show, The Cally Festival and The Croydon Mela as well as many, many more. If you're not in or around London you'll be able to find loads of other free festivals to partake in with a quick online search.

Want to get into bigger festivals for free? Well, there's a solution. Volunteer! Many festivals thrive on volunteers to keep everything running smoothly. Oxfam, My Cause UK, Mind and Greenpeace are just some of the charities looking for people every year. You’ll be able to kill two birds with one stone by having time to spare to enjoy the event with no cost as well as adding a new set of skills to your CV.

Speaking of which volunteering in general is a good way to enrich your summer as well as bring you closer to your community. There are many opportunities promoted by the University

You don't have to spend a dime for a date

It's an expectation at this point for a day out to be lavish and fruitful, but the more peaceful and laidback types are just as good and can be more intimate and personal.

Get together with some friends and have a pot-luck picnic under the summer sunset, maybe even camp out with them and roast marshmallows. Take a stroll down the local park and eat your packed lunch whilst watching the swans float blissfully across a pond. Enjoy a book under the shade and sip a glass of refreshing lemonade.

Bring a sketchbook and pencil or paint and set yourself down at any location — the town square, a street, a festival — and sketch the world onto your page; turn it into a competition by letting someone tag along. 

The possibilities are endless.