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If you’ve ever used your tax refund as the unofficial kickoff to summer planning, you’re not alone. For years, families have relied on that springtime cash boost to cover everything from camp deposits to sunscreen. But 2026 is shaping up to be a rude awakening. Tax refunds are smaller for many households this year, while summer camp prices are marching upward like they’re training for a marathon.
This isn’t about bad budgeting or overspending. It’s about two major trends colliding at the worst possible moment: shrinking refunds and rising childcare costs. And if you’re wondering why your refund doesn’t stretch the way it used to—or why day camp suddenly costs as much as a weekend getaway—you’re in the right place.
