Last year, my wife and I made the somewhat terrifying decision to skip summer camp for our kids to save $9,000-$10,000 and spend more intentional time together. It wasn't perfect—I gave myself a solid B—but we survived, and more importantly, we're doing it again this year.

The financial savings were huge, but the real motivation was recognizing we're in a limited window where our kids actually want to hang out with us. Since we have the flexibility as solopreneurs to create our own schedules, why not use it? Last year taught me some hard lessons about communication, boundaries, and realistic expectations.

This time around, I'm better prepared with clearer work boundaries, more structured activities for the kids, and honest conversations with my wife about what we both need to stay sane.

Want a peek into how I’ve created more time? Check out my free automations database and AI swipe file at https://casabona.org/streamlined

Top Takeaways

• The real cost of summer programs goes beyond money—it's about recognizing the limited time window when your kids actually want to spend time with you, and leveraging the flexibility that comes with being self-employed.
• Structure matters for everyone—kids need predictable routines to avoid emotional meltdowns, and parents need clear work boundaries to prevent every meeting request from hijacking their already limited schedule.
• Time blocking becomes non-negotiable when you have less time to work—protecting your green zone (peak productivity hours) and limiting meetings to one day per week helps maximize focused work time.