With rising travel costs and persistent inflation, the summer season can put a strain on your wallet. Trae Bodge, smart shopping expert, joined TheStreet to discuss her best tips for a budget conscious summer.

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Full Video Transcript Below:

CONWAY GITTENS: Yes so let’s talk about the summer. Let’s talk about your strategies for having a budget conscious, fun time for the summer.

TRAE BODGE: My gosh. There are so many things to think about. So, you know, you said Memorial Day. We’ll see those big sales in the home category, mattresses, appliances, furniture, maybe not patio so much, but it’s what we’re seeing is a big trend towards getting outdoors. We all want to enjoy the weather. We want to hike, we want to camp, we want to go on adventures. And so I’m seeing a lot of activity in that space. Just be mindful to look for the deals and try to save along the way. If you need, say, a new tent or a new table for your patio, for example.

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CONWAY GITTENS: And travel is back. Yeah so is it time to update my luggage?

TRAE BODGE: Yes, it is. I’m seeing a lot of deals in luggage and other travel accessories. And if you haven’t traveled since the beginning of the pandemic, you’re the wheels on your suitcase might be a little clunky. You might need to update here and there, get some new mobile chargers and things like that. So look for deals there. I’m seeing a lot of activity in that space for travel. We all want to get back out there and enjoy the world now that the pandemic is receding. Excuse me.

CONWAY GITTENS: And one of your other trends for the summer is, I call it multi-functioning, right.

TRAE BODGE: Yeah.

CONWAY GITTENS: Everything has to do double duty.

TRAE BODGE: Yes I always look for things that can do more than one thing. And so we’re seeing a lot of innovation in design right now in all different sectors. And so I’m always really excited to see something that does two, or three, or more things because then I don’t have to buy more things. 

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