Chasing the Fionist Dream

If you live in the Middle East like we do, or anywhere else with a similar climate, you know that it gets HOT! The story goes that in July 1936 a housewife fried an egg on the pavement on one of the main streets in Syracuse, New York. There were no air conditioners in those days, so people had to find creative ways to stay cool – and to entertain themselves.

These days, there is air conditioning just about everywhere. We can keep on the AC all the time and accept that our electric bill will skyrocket for a few months. Or we can think outside of the box and find other ways to stay cool. Summer is a time of fun water activities including water parks, sprinklers and pools, which we find the best deals for, of course. Just don’t forget the sunblock!

Here are some of the ways we stay cooler, beat the heat, and keep our electric bill down during the hot days.

1. Close your blinds. Keep your curtains closed to prevent the sunlight from making your apartment hotter.
   
2. Windows and doors. Make sure to close your windows and doors when you have the air conditioner on so that it can cool down the area quicker and more efficiently.
   
3. 25 degrees. Keep your AC at 25 degrees. It works the most efficiently that way and lower temps will costs you more.
   
4. Filters. Clean your AC’s filters regularly. Your air conditioner will thank you.
   
5. Feel the breeze. Do you have a cross breeze in your apartment? Once the sun goes down, take a break from your AC, open the windows and enjoy the fresh air.
   
6. Fans. We installed ceiling fans in our bedrooms a couple years ago. While buying the fans and getting them installed cost us a decent chunk of money, we almost never use our air conditioner at night now.
   
7. Drink, drink, drink. On days like these it is extra important to stay hydrated. Always bring a reusable refillable water bottle with you. Much cheaper than having to by a bottle of water while out – or getting dehydrated.
   
8. Popsicles and ice cream. We love finding Ben & Jerry’s on sale. Served at home in ice cream cones, it is a great summer treat. We also make our own popsicles which go over well with everyone.
   
9. Get wet! Fill up your baby pool if you have one, head to your local beach or splashpad, or have a water gun fight at a local park. If you decide to spend money getting wet, find a way to avoid paying full price. Do the math to find the best deal for your local pool (do you go often enough to make a cartisiya/punch card or membership worthwhile?). If you are interested in any other types of water activities, see if you can get a deal through Groo, your credit card or any other memberships you might be part of.

It’s hot and we all want to feel comfortable. Blasting the air conditioner day and night is one option, but it costs a lot. Thankfully, there are other ways to beat the heat – at least some of the time.

How do you stay cool during the summer?

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