

By the time spring and summer gets here, we're just like, "Take all my money!"
We're so happy to welcome it with open arms that we give it our hard-earned money for the best experiences, from concerts to snagging that perfect sundress and sandals to match. While some experiences and things just can't be bought, there are money hacks you can specifically take advantage of during the warmer months; so when fall comes around, your bank account can say it had just as much as you did this season.
Grocery Bag That Ice Cream
Trust me, I know the experience of standing in line in the beautiful summer sun waiting for ice cream from a local shop can be way different than buying a gallon from the frozen section of the grocery store. But if you think about it, they're pretty much the same price. Why pay $5 for one when you can pay the same and enjoy it multiple times? Throw in some cones and have an ice cream party, which can be an amazing experience in itself. You'll find that buying it in bulk can definitely save versus going to the ice cream store regularly.
Let’s Take… A Long Walk
Obviously, the best part of spring and summer is the weather and memories we make while enjoying it. Considering the weather is gorgeous, why not take advantage of it? If you're running somewhere that's within walking distance, why start up your car and waste gas instead of literally running (or walking) to your destination. You'll burn some calories while saving a little bit of money that can add up to a lot by the time fall comes back around. If walking isn't an option, you can always grab a bike.
Meal Prep For Day Trips
Summer is pretty much equivalent to road trips. But when you're taking them, you don't necessarily have to eat at fast food restaurants along the way. A money-saving option is to pack a lunch and place it in a cooler until you're ready to dig in and indulge. This could also be true for workdays if you're really into meal prepping.
Let That AC Go Bro
For most of us, our electric/energy bills go way down during the hotter months, thanks to not needing to skyrocket the heat. But you can save even more money if you turn off the AC altogether. If the weather is completely sweltering, which it most likely will be, turn on your ceiling fans for a refreshing breeze or purchase a floor fan for the low. You can also cool down your apartment by cooking most of your meals on the grill outside instead of in the oven and on top of the stove. If you seriously can't see yourself turning off your AC for the entire summer (because that would be a major move), maybe just do it for the hours you're out of the house during the day, or during cool summer nights. Whatever you choose, cleaning out your filter regularly can also make a big difference. (It's also helpful to close your curtains so you're AC doesn't have to put out as much energy to cool down your place.)
Get The Hookup
Whether you're going to a state fair or an amusement park, there are typically discount days everyone, including you and your clique, can take advantage of. One of the best practices is to search on the venue or park's website to see when they offer certain member discounts. From being affiliated with different organizations and companies to being a student, you should hardly ever have to full price for events and experiences during the summer. It also doesn't hurt to look at the competition to see who's offering the lowest price for you.
Hit The Thrift Shop
Honestly, this can clearly work any time of year. But if you're looking for something for a special event or a trip to the beach, second-hand consignment stores will save you tons of money. And if you don't frequent them often, you could be surprised at what you find. Women have found everything from prom dresses to luxury, name-brand heels (some with the tags still on!) at thrift stores. And most people would never know the difference once you're rocking the outfit. Save your coins sis.
E-Commerce Apps Can Be A Must
Sites like Groupon and Living Social can be your bank account's best friend during the summer. From discounts at hair salons and hotels to spas and some of the biggest concerts coming to your area, they'll show you a majority of the price-chopping discounts for activities you're already looking at paying full price for. They also have lower prices for getaways and can offer you discounts for events and experiences at your travel destination.
Carpool Is King
Whether you're going to work or a concert, carpooling with friends can save you and them lots of money in the summer. Because we know that's when the price of gas typically likes to show out. If you don't know how to jump into the carpooling bandwagon, there are apps and sites like eRideShare. And it's not unusual for carpoolers to save up to $1000 a year (that's more than $80 a month).
Live Unplugged
…At least for appliances you're not using at the time. You can save a pretty good chunk of change by unplugging your phone charger, appliances in your kitchen, and even major items like your television when you're not using them. If you have a power strip for some of your big items, just unplug it before you leave the house, and rev it back up when you get home.
Featured image by Getty Images
Want more stories like this? Sign up for our weekly newsletter here and check out the related reads below:
10 Budgeting Apps That Will Get Your Coins All The Way Together – Read More
The Best Articles On Money For People In Their Twenties – Read More
Here Are 10 Money Goals You Should Hit By 30 – Read More
3 Grocery Shopping Apps That Will Save You More Money – Read More
- 40+ Money Saving Hacks: How To Save Money Each Month ›
- 7 Home Energy Hacks (That Save Money) ›
- 7 Home Energy Hacks (That Save Money) ›
- 50 Money Saving Hacks to Save More Each Month ›
- Ceiling Fan Hacks to Save Energy (and Money) - The Simple Dollar ›
- 5 Life Hacks for Staying Safe and Saving Big This Summer ›
Charmaine Patterson is a journalist, lifestyle blogger, and a lover of all things pop culture. While she has much experience in covering top entertainment news stories, she aims to share her everyday life experiences, old and new, with other women who can relate, laugh, and love along with her. Follow Char on Twitter @charjpatterson, Instagram @charpatterson, and keep up with her journey at CharJPatterson.com .
Claudia Jordan, Demetria McKinney & Jill Marie Jones On 'Games Women Play' & Dating Over 40
What do you get when you mix unfiltered truths, high-stakes romance, and a few well-timed one-liners? You get Games Women Play—the sizzling new stage play by Je’Caryous Johnson that’s part relationship rollercoaster, part grown-woman group chat.
With a powerhouse cast that includes Claudia Jordan, Demetria McKinney, Jill Marie Jones, Carl Payne, Chico Bean, and Brian J. White, the play dives headfirst into the messy, hilarious, and heart-wrenching games people play for love, power, and peace of mind. And the women leading this story? They’re bringing their whole selves to the stage—and leaving nothing behind.
From Script to Spotlight
The road to Games Women Play started over 20 years ago—literally.
“This script was written 20 years ago,” Jill Marie Jones said with a smile. “It was originally called Men, Money & Gold Diggers, and I was in the film version. So when Je’Caryous called me to bring it to the stage, I was like, ‘Let’s go.’” Now reimagined for 2025, the play is updated with sharp dialogue and modern relationship dynamics that feel all too real.
Demetria McKinney, no stranger to Je’Caryous Johnson’s productions, jumped at the opportunity to join the cast once again. “This is my third time working with him,” she shared. “It was an opportunity to stretch. I’d never been directed by Carl Payne before, and the chance to work with talent I admire—Jill, Claudia, Chico—it was a no-brainer.”
Claudia Jordan joked that she originally saw the role as just another check. “I didn’t take it that seriously at first,” she admitted. “But this is my first full-on tour—and now I’ve got a whole new respect for how hard people work in theater. This ain’t easy.”
Modern Love, Stage Left
The play doesn’t hold back when it comes to the messier parts of love. One jaw-dropping moment comes when a live podcast proposal flips into a prenup bombshell—leaving the audience (and the characters) gasping.
Demetria broke it down with honesty. “People don’t ask the real questions when they date. Like, ‘Do you want kids? How do you feel about money?’ These convos aren’t happening, and then everyone’s confused. That moment in the play—it’s real. That happens all the time.”
Jill chimed in, noting how the play speaks to emotional disconnect. “We’re giving each other different tokens of love. Men might offer security and money. Women, we’re giving our hearts. But there’s a disconnect—and that’s where things fall apart.”
And then Claudia, of course, took it all the way there. “These men don’t even want to sign our prenups now!” she laughed. “They want to live the soft life, too. Wearing units, gloss, getting their brows done. We can’t have nothing! Y’all want to be like us? Then get a damn period and go through menopause.”
Dating Over 40: “You Better Come Correct”
When the conversation turned to real-life relationships, all three women lit up. Their experiences dating in their 40s and 50s have given them both clarity—and zero tolerance for games.
“I feel sexier than I’ve ever felt,” said Jill, who proudly turned 50 in January. “I say what I want. I mean what I say. I’m inside my woman, and I’m not apologizing for it.”
Demetria added that dating now comes with deeper self-awareness. “Anybody in my life is there because I want them there. I’ve worked hard to need nobody. But I’m open to love—as long as you keep doing what got me there in the first place.”
For Claudia, the bar is high—and the peace is priceless. “I’ve worked hard for my peace,” she said. “I’m not dating for food. I’m dating because I want to spend time with you. And honestly, if being with you isn’t better than being alone with my candles and fountains and cats? Then no thanks.”
Channeling Strength & Icon Status
Each actress brings something different to the play—but all of them deliver.
“I actually wish I could be messier on stage,” Claudia joked. “But I think about my grandmother—she was born in 1929, couldn’t even vote or buy a house without a man, and didn’t give a damn. She was fearless. That’s where my strength comes from.”
For Jill, the comparisons to her iconic Girlfriends character Toni Childs aren’t far off—but this role gave her a chance to dig deeper. “If you really understood Toni, you’d see how layered she was. And Paisley is the same—misunderstood, but strong. There’s more to her than people see at first glance.”
Demetria, who juggles singing and acting seamlessly, shared that live theater pushes her in a new way. “Every moment on stage counts. You can’t redo anything. It’s a different kind of love and discipline. You have to give the performance away—live, in the moment—and trust that it lands.”
Laughter, Lessons & Black Girl Gems
The show has plenty of laugh-out-loud moments—and the cast isn’t shy about who steals scenes.
“Chico Bean gets a lot of gasps and laughs,” Claudia said. “And Naomi Booker? Every scene she’s in—she’s hilarious.”
But the play isn’t just about humor. It leaves space for reflection—especially for Black women.
“I hope we get back to the foundation of love and communication,” said Demetria. “A lot of us are in protector mode. But that’s turned into survival mode. We’ve lost softness. We’ve lost connection.”
Claudia agreed. “We’re doing it all—but it’s not because we want to be strong all the time. It’s because we have to be. And I just want women to know: You can have peace, you can be soft. But stop bringing your old pain into new love. Don’t let past heartbreak build walls so high that the right person can’t climb over.”
Final Act: Pack the House
If there’s one thing this cast agrees on, it’s that this play isn’t just entertainment—it’s necessary.
“Atlanta is the Black entertainment hub,” Claudia said. “We need y’all to show up for this play. Support the arts. Support each other. Because when we pack the house, we make space for more stories like this.”
Games Women Play is more than a play—it’s a mirror. You’ll see yourself, your friends, your exes, and maybe even your next chapter. So get ready to laugh, reflect, and maybe even heal—because the games are on.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image courtesy
After Decades-Long Career, Terri J. Vaughn Is Finally The Main Character: Exclusive
Terri J. Vaughn first captured our attention in the late ‘90s as Lovita Alizay Jenkins on The Steve Harvey Show. Decades later, she is starring in her very own series, She The People, which is now available to stream on Netflix.
The political sitcom, which she co-created with Niya Palmer and later teamed up with Tyler Perry Studios, is about a Black woman named Antoinette Dunkerson who runs for lieutenant governor of Mississippi. She wins and becomes the state’s first Black lieutenant governor. Now, she’s forced to balance working with a racist and sexist governor while also trying to keep her family from running amok.
According to the beloved actress, this project was a long time coming. “I’ve been trying to get my own television series for like 20 years, pounding the pavement, meeting with people, getting clothes, being lied to, just a whole bunch of stuff,” she says in an exclusive interview with xoNecole.
“But just keep going, because this is what I do. This is what I love, and I know how important it is for us to continue to show up and make sure that we are seen, make sure that our voices are heard. For several reasons. I just never give up. So here I am, 20 years later, finally sold my show.”
She The People is inspired by the true story of London Breed, who became the first Black female mayor of San Francisco, Terri’s hometown. And to help make the show more authentic, the Cherish the Day actress tapped former Atlanta mayor, Keisha Lance Bottoms to come on as a producer.'“I’ve been trying to get my own television series for like 20 years, pounding the pavement, meeting with people, getting clothes, being lied to, just a whole bunch of stuff."
After bringing the former mayor aboard, it was time to pitch again. And this time, the companies were pitching them. Ultimately, Terri decided to work with Tyler Perry on the series.
“We decided to do it with Tyler for several reasons. I love that. Well, most of the companies we met with were Black-owned companies, but he was the only studio,” she explains. “Tyler is like Walt Disney. That's literally what he is. He has the studio, he has the content. He operates just like Walt Disney.”
And thanks to the cast, the show is nothing short of laughs. The series also stars social media creator Jade Novah as Antoinette’s crazy cousin/ assistant, Shamika, Family Mattersstar Jo Marie Payton as Anotinette’s mom, Cleo, and Terri’s husband, Karon Riley, who plays Michael, her driver and love interest.
While we’ve watched Terri’s career blossom in various ways. From directing to producing, and playing diverse characters, the mom of two says her The Steve Harvey Show character will always be her favorite.
“Well, Lovita was definitely my favorite, especially for my time, the age and everything that I was. Now as a grown ass woman over 50, Antoinette Dunkerson is everything that I've wanted to play. She's everything. She's a mother of two teenagers. She's divorced, so she's co-parenting with her ex-husband. She has to wrangle in a very eclectic family,” she says.
“So I like playing characters that are really flawed and trying to figure it out and doing their best to try to figure it. And she's very flawed and she is trying to figure it out, and she fucks up sometimes. But her heart and what she's trying to do and what her vision is and purpose, it's all for the people. I mean, she the people. She’s for the people, she is the people.”
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image by Jamie Lamor Thompson/ Shutterstock