24 Frugal Ways Of Staying Cool Without An Air Conditioner

When it is hot outside the temptation to crank the air conditioner up full blast can be strong. However, the big electric bill that follows will make you wish you had found some alternative ways to keep cool. Here or some inexpensive ways to beat the heat without breaking the bank.

1. Stay hydrated. The best thing to drink is water because it cools your down and provides electrolytes that keep you from losing important minerals when you sweat. Remember that ice might make you feel cooler, but it actually makes your body work harder to balance your body temperature so avoid too much ice in your drink.
2. Cool your pulse points. By placing an ice cube in a towel or dampening it with cool water and then holding on your wrists and other pulse points you can reduce your body temperature for up to an hour.
3. Be still. When you are already hot moving about or talking a lot can make you hotter. Wait until the sun sets for lots of activity.
4. Use peppermint. Peppermint lotions, soaps or foot bathes are an excellent way to refresh your body and help you cool off.
5. Find some shade. If you must be outdoors seek out a tree or an umbrella an relax there with a good book.
6. Put a cool towel on the back of your neck. This is a fast way to cool off, just like professional athletes do.
7. Sweat it out. Perspiration is your natural cooling system. If you are already sweating try standing in front of a fan or a cool breeze to get even cooler.
8. Open the windows. Let the breeze in the house to cool things off.
9. Swim. Try to find a place to swim in the shade to make it even more refreshing.
10. Take a cool shower. If swimming is not an option the next best thing is a cool shower or bath.
11. Dampen your hair. Use cool water every half hour or so to keep your hair wet or wrap it in a damp towel.
12. Wet your clothes. Obviously you do not want to be soaked, but you can use a spray bottle to dampen the legs of your pants or your shirt sleeves to help stay cool.
13. Invest in fans. Fans help keep cool and cost a lot less to run then the air conditioner.
14. Sit in a wet shirt. Put on a damp t-shirt and sit in a chair that allows for air flow, as it dries dampen it again.
15. Make your own personal air conditioner. Fill a glass with ice and then blow on the cup. This forces the cool air back over your skin, cooling you off in the process.
16. Stay downstairs. Remember that heat rises so upstairs is always going to be slightly warmer then downstairs.
17. Adjust to the temperature. One of the best ways to keep cool without an air conditioner is to simply get used to the hotter temperatures.
18. Get offline. This means turning off all electrics that produce heat like light bulbs, stoves, and even the computer.
19. Use sunscreen. Getting sunburned is going to make dealing with the heat even harder. Use it liberally and often to keep yourself protected.
20. Wear protective clothing. Hats and long sleeved shirts made from natural fibers will protect you from the sun and help keep your body cool.
21. Stay in during peak hours. The sun is hottest between 11 AM and 3 PM, so try to avoid being out for extended periods of time during those hours.
22. Get your house ready. In the evenings open it up to let in the cool air, then close it up during the day to keep the hot air out.
23. Eat light. Big, heavy meals increase your metabolisms heat. Instead, eat light and small meals like sandwiches and salads.
24. Create an environmentally sound air conditioner. Using a solar powered fan you can create a room air conditioner by placing it so it blows over bowls filled with liter bottles of frozen water.

You do not have to use an air conditioner to stay cool. You only have to be a little creative and smart about dealing with hot temperatures.

This article was written by Timothy Ng who is a regular personal finance writer and part of the team at Credit Card Finder, a 100% free Australian credit card comparison and application service. Visit the Credit Card Finder website for more information on how to save money.