by Susan Klatz Beal

Created on: July 12, 2010

There is no getting around the summer weather. When it is hot, it can be abysmally hot, but when it's not so hot, people love to congregate outdoors. Regardless of how hot it is outside, or how miserable you think you may feel, it is possible to use the summer heat to your advantage. When and if you choose to do so, you may change your entire attitude about summer heat.

Here is a look at some great ways to beat the summer heat.

*Air condition your home for free or for next to nothing -

If you feel as though you can't live without air conditioning, which is certainly the case in places where the heat is extreme, there are things you can do so that you can reduce the cost of your electric bill, and in the process, use the heat to your advantage. Consider installing solar panels on your roof or outside your home. If you are going to do this, be sure you know what you are getting into and whether you can sell extra green energy back to the utility company. Unless this is a possibility, you may not be saving yourself any money.

*Tackle home organizing projects -

If it is dangerously hot outside and you don't feel like trying to venture out to head to someplace cool, stay at home and tackle some of the things around your house that have neglected for far too long. Maybe that will involve cleaning out a closet. Perhaps in the process, you can gather clothing that you no longer wear or need and take that to a consignment shop so that you can make some money on it.

Maybe you want to organize your home office and get rid of a ton of clutter that has been lying around. Maybe you want to take the time to do some some of the cleaning projects that have been neglected. You can reorganize kitchen cabinets, get rid of unused products around the bathroom, reorganize a pantry so that you know what you have on hand.

*See some movies you've been wanting to see -

If you feel as though you never seem to get to go to movies, yet there are movies you would really like to see, why not opt to go to the movies on a really hot day?  Movie theaters are well air conditioned, and if you choose to go to an early matinee, the ticket price will be considerably lower than it would at a later time.

*Plant a vegetable garden -

If you love tomatoes and other fresh vegetables and would love to have an abundant supply of organic produce, plant a vegetable garden. Some vegetables will thrive in very hot weather while others will provide you with harvests earlier in the season. Regardless, you can

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