Daylight Saving Time (called "Summer Time'' in European countries) begins on Sunday, March 13 at 2:00 a.m. and ends on Sunday, November 6, 2022. Originally planned to make the most of the daytime and save on energy consumption, the United States officially adopted Daylight Saving Time as part of the Uniform Time Act of 1966. But not all states had to comply; with Hawaii and Arizona (excluding the Navajo Nation) and the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Northern Mariana Islands, not participating.

While most people complain about the alarm clock going off too early on the first Monday morning of Daylight Savings, there is still so much to embrace about having longer days. As the warmer months come along, put those sunny, extra hours to good use.

Welcome Spring & Summer

Use the long days to get your yard and home in great shape for a great season:

• Top to bottom, give your house a big spring cleaning and donate those bags of clothing and other household items – and be sure to take the tax deduction
• Gather family and friends (and save on hiring professionals) to spruce up the yard, mow the lawn, paint the deck, and get the garden ready for new blooms
• Skip the stove and fire up the outdoor grill for no-fuss meals

Enjoy the world around you. Freely.
A boon for household budgets this time of year are the many free things you can do:

• Pack a picnic and head to the beach
• Run, bike, hike, walk, swim, canoe... the list is endless
• Late sunsets make for Instagram-worthy photos
• Go to street fairs, craft shows, local festivals
• Checkout a stack of books from the library
• Camp out in the backyard
• Get some culture with free-admission museum days
• Exercise alone, with friends, or as part of a club
• Catch an outdoor concert
• Hit the dog park, set up some play dates, or just keep lobbing that tennis ball in your backyard

More daylight = Less energy usage (and lower utility bills!)  
One of the best parts of Daylight Saving is that we’re all outside more, so lights and utilities get less of a workout. Be smart about how you use them:

• Because there's less of a need for artificial light (lamps, overheads, twinkle strands), set everything on timers for when the sun goes down
  • Try replacing incandescent light bulbs with LEDs for more savings 
• Be cool, but not too cool. Cranking up the air conditioner will also crank up your electricity bill. Keep costs reasonable: 
  • Save 10% a year by setting your thermostat just 10 to 15 degrees higher for 8 hours each day 
  • Switch to a start thermostat which regulates cooling when you're not at home and can be adjusted remotely on the app 
  • Place the thermostat in a good location and not in direct sunshine 
  • Turn on fans to reduce the need for the air conditioner 
  • Close the blinds during the day to keep hot rays out and rooms cooler
• Don't let the water run. Even in warmer months, bills can rise due to gardening, lawn care, outdoor showers, dishwashers, doing laundry (dry clothes outside for a clean, fresh scent!), even letting the kids run through the sprinkler for a cool splash
  • Turn down your water heater to the warm settting (120°F) to lower costs

Make the extra hours count

Longer days mean you can be more productive. Why not check off a few things on your financial to-do list?

• Set up a portion of your paycheck to automatically be deposited into your savings account
• Open a CD account and enjoy a higher rate of return for your deposits 
• Set up Digital Wallet on your smartphone for secure, convenient, and contactless payment options at checkout
• Clean out your wallet or purse to find those unused gift cards, hidden bills, and important receipts (and file away properly)
• Gather all the change lying around – in the car, on your bureau, under the bed, in bags, stashed away – and take that stack to the bank. You’d be surprised how coins can add up.

Make more time for YOU
Along with changing the clocks, a change of season is the perfect time to reset your mind for a fresh perspective: 

• Set a reminder on your smartphone to meditate every day
• Practice yoga to soothe your joints and soul
• Tackle a different sport
• Start a new hobby
• Take a class
• Or just kick back in the hammock and... just be