Summer’s almost over and saving money is back on everyone’s minds. Whether you spent a little too much soaking in every moment of summer or you just want to get a jumpstart on saving for the holidays, fall is a perfect time to get back on track with your budget.
There are a ton of great sales that happen in the fall. If there are any major purchases you are looking to make, be sure to check out the sales going on in local stores and online. Some major sale days include:
Labor Day Sales: You can often find great deals on large appliances, furniture, and tech on Labor Day Weekend.
Halloween: While you may run the risk of not getting exactly what you want, waiting until a week or two before Halloween to get your costumes (and stock up on decor for next year!) can save you a lot of money.
Veterans Day: There are a surprising amount of deals on Veterans Day. It is quickly becoming the new “beginning of holiday shopping” day, so stores tend to start many deals around this time.
Black Friday: Arguably the biggest sale day of the year, Black Friday is a great time to get, well, anything.
Cyber Monday: Cyber Monday is quickly becoming more popular than Black Friday, as you can get all of the same deals from the convenience of your living room.
Fall is the perfect time to cook up large, hearty meals that you can enjoy at home. And these hearty meals can be super inexpensive. By using lots of cheaper cuts of meat that cook low and slow and incorporating lots of root vegetables you can cut your food budget by a lot. So skip dining out for a few months, whip out the crock pot, and enjoy some cozy fall dinners in the comfort of your own home.
It’s easy to fall off of your budgeting practices during the fun of summer. Between vacations, day trips, and eating out with friends, it’s all too easy to go overboard. But fall is a great time to revisit your budget and see how your spending is stacking up. Check in with the following questions:
What is your monthly income?
What are your monthly expenses?
Are there areas that you can edit? (i.e. cut subscription services, limit online shopping, etc.)
Are you contributing to your emergency fund?
Are you contributing to your savings goal, either short term or long term?
This is a great time to realign your spending habits and start thinking about the holidays. Preparing for your holiday spending now can save you a lot of stress later on.
Getting your home ready for the colder weather can help you start saving money and reduce big bills down the road. Consider giving your home a tune up with the following:
Replace your furnace filter (you should ideally do this once per month)
Have your heating and air conditioning systems serviced.
Clear debris from your roof.
Clean out your dryer vent.
Clean out your gutters.
Replace your smoke detector batteries.
Paint, caulk, and seal exterior wood.
Clean your chimney.
All of these little things can prevent big problems down the road and help prevent big bills in the coming months.
Commit to saving money at the grocery store. Sign up for the store rewards card, go online to find coupons, and switch to generic brands for at least a few of your purchases. You don’t need to switch everything to generic, just pick a few things that you aren’t really attached to and make the change. You’d be surprised how much this can save you over the course of a few months.
For many of us, fall is synonymous with cozy coffees and lattes. But these fancy drinks can add up quickly. Instead, try your own diy lattes at home. Simply brew some strong coffee, add some milk, sugar, and flavored syrup of your choice (pumpkin spice, peppermint–whatever!) and voila–your own fancy coffee for a third of the price. Have some friends over to make drinks and you have a fun–and cheap–fall activity!
There are lots of free (or just super cheap) activities in the fall, you just have to get creative. Here our some of our favorites:
Check to see if your town has any fall festivals. These often have free admission and tons of free attractions.
Attend a local high school football game.
Go on a hike or bike ride.
Host a Halloween movie night
Visit a corn maze.
Play in the leaves.
Go to a pumpkin patch.
Carve or paint your own pumpkins.
Have a bonfire.
Everyone talks about spring cleaning, but fall cleaning can help you clear space for the holidays and possibly make you some cash in the meantime. Go through your clothes, books, dishes, and decor and decide what isn’t working for you anymore. Channel your inner Marie Kondo and get rid of anything that isn’t bringing you joy. Try listing these items on a community page or host a garage sale to see if you can get a little extra spending money.
Now is a great time to revisit your car loan. Look at the car loan APR and terms of your loan and compare your current credit score to your credit score at the time of your original financing. If your score has increased or the market rates have decreased, there’s a good chance you will qualify for a lower car loan APR. Car refinancing is super easy and it can save you a lot of money every month. By using a company that specializes in auto refinance, like Auto Approve, you can easily compare terms and rates to ensure you are getting the best deal possible.
Fall is a great time to check in with our finances and give our budgets a tune up. Whether you are looking to recoup your vacation expenses or just get a head start saving for the holidays, try to use some of our tips to free up some money in your budget.
Car refinancing is a great way to save money with little hassle. So don’t wait–get a free quote today and see how much money you could be saving!