The Gripe Report: Summer Edition

So, it’s Wednesday, and that means we’re diving into the first summer edition of The Gripe Report.

We’ve touched on this before, but honestly, I think summer kicks off with Memorial Day. For me, when the Indy 500 rolls around and I fire up the grill, I’m officially in summer mode.

Now, summer was my favorite season as a kid. School was out, the weather was warm, and my birthday was around the corner. But nowadays, strangely, it might be my least favorite season. Let’s explore some of the challenges summer brings.

Rising Utility Costs

Living in Florida, summer means the sun gets blazing hot. Just like the cold in other parts of the country drives people indoors, the heat does the same here. However, cranking up the air conditioner and running fans to keep my townhouse cool doesn’t come cheap.

I’ve noticed my electricity bills rising more than I’d like. It’s tough to manage expenses, and I don’t handle the heat well. There’s a certain adulthood moment when you suggest to your partner that you can go without air conditioning in the cooler months, and suddenly, the bills drop significantly. But then, come summer, it feels necessary to keep the place cool, even if it means making sacrifices elsewhere.

Children at Home

Now, I have nothing against kids, but as a DINK (Dual Income No Kids), my wife and I appreciate our peace and quiet during summer when other children are around. Naturally, this impacts what we love to do.

Neighborhood pools feel like an oasis when school is in session, but in summer, it turns into a different ballgame altogether. Parents juggle a lot, but kids can be, let’s face it, not always the most considerate. You could be trying to relax just to get interrupted by someone’s child chasing a pool toy. And don’t get me started on theme parks—those crowds during summer are a nightmare.

The Car Dilemma

Returning to a car that’s been sitting in the sun is another hassle. There’s nothing like jumping in, trying to turn on the AC, and realizing the steering wheel is practically burning your hands. Of course, you could use a sunshade, but dealing with the folding and storing can be a whole process. I often find myself procrastinating on that task.

And yes, I splurged recently on a new car, a Ford Bronco Sport. Was it a bit silly to download an app just to track my vehicle? Maybe. But I must admit, I enjoy checking on it from my couch, plus the remote start feature is a game changer—especially turning the car on to have it cool before I step in.

Sunburn Woes

Now, let’s talk about sunscreen. I usually try to apply it correctly, but I often feel like I’m wrestling with it, wondering if it’s actually effective anymore. More often than not, I end up with burns in spots where I thought I applied it sufficiently. Then there’s nothing worse than the pain of a sunburn that creeps up at the worst times.

Moving around, taking a shower—it’s all so irritating. I think I might prefer a chilly place over dealing with that kind of discomfort.

Anyway, that’s a wrap for now on The Gripe Report. If you have your own complaints to share for future issues, feel free to send them my way.