Fall Financial Tips: Ways to Save Money This Fall

The start of the fall season is a great time to look at your budget and spending habits. It’s easy to lose track of finances in the summer. Did you take a vacation? Was your back-to-school shopping list longer than you expected? Now’s the time to check in on your financial goals so you can finish the year strong.

7 Ways to Save This Fall

As you start trading tank tops for warm hoodies, take note of our personal finance tips that can help you save money this fall and beyond:

1. Revisit your household budget.
   When you’re putting your fall savings plan into place, it’s important to start with the foundation — your budget. Your priorities may have changed since creating your budget earlier in the year. Fall is a perfect time to reassess your goals and decide if you want cut expenses, put more money in savings or pay down debt. If you do need to make a change, remember that you don’t need to scrap your whole plan. You might just need to redirect your available funds to different parts of your budget.

2. Cash in on your closet.
   Now that the warm weather is fading, you can start fall cleaning by bringing your family’s cool-weather clothes to the front of the closet. This will help you identify gaps in your wardrobe and get you organized for the season. Knowing what you have and exactly what you need will help you stick to your plan if clothes shopping is in your budget this season. Did you find items that don’t fit or rarely get worn? Weed out what you don’t wear. If the clothes are still in good shape, you can sell them online through sites like eBay, Facebook Marketplace or thredUP. Or you can bring them to local thrift and consignment stores. The money you make from decluttering your closet can go right into savings, or you can work the extra cash into your fall budget.

3. Try new fall recipes at home.
   Does autumn weather make you crave comfort food? Although it may be tempting to head out to your favorite restaurant, you could save money trying new recipes and cooking meals at home. Try creating a meal plan for a full week so you don’t have to worry about what’s for dinner every night. This strategy can help you save money on groceries, too.

4. Create DIY fall home décor.
   Festive decorations can brighten up any dreary day, but they can be expensive to buy. Instead, get crafty with DIY fall décor using items you might already have around the house. Creating your own decorations is a fun (and inexpensive) way to spend a chilly day, and the finished products give your home a special touch without breaking your budget on unnecessary fall shopping.

5. Prep your home for winter.
   You might need to spend a few dollars on weather stripping or sealant upfront, but preparing your home for winter now could help you save on your utility bills. Sealing air leaks around your house might save you up to 30% on your energy costs.¹ If you live in a colder climate, applying plastic over your windows can add an extra layer of insulation as well. Once your home is air sealed, check the condition of the insulation in your attic and basement. Check out the U.S. Department of Energy for tips on how to choose and use the right sealant for your needs and other winterizing ideas that can save you some cash.

6. Keep your heater off as long as possible.
   It’s no secret that heating your home is a major part of your utility budget in the cold weather. As the temperatures start to fall, grab a sweater and some warm socks instead of bumping up the heat. According to the EPA, you’ll save 4% on your monthly utility bill for every degree you lower your thermostat1. That might not sound like a lot, but every dollar you save can give you more wiggle room in your budget.

7. Start budgeting for the holidays.
   The holidays are closer than you think! ‘Tis the season to tighten up spending and plan how you’ll manage holiday debt in the upcoming months. (Maybe you can put aside the money you made from your closet cleanout into a savings fund for holiday shopping.) Commit to making a list of holiday expenses and creating a reasonable budget you know you can follow. When you’re looking at this year’s plan, pay close attention to where your holiday spending may have gone off track in the past and keep yourself accountable.

Fall into your financial goals

In the autumn, you have a chance to take a breath and ensure you’re on track to meet your goals. Budgeting is one of the best ways to control spending and reach your savings goals. Start by using our free budget calculator to find your spending trends and places to make positive changes. With a little planning, you’ll know exactly where your money’s going instead of wondering where it went at the end of the year.

1. https://www.sparkenergy.com/energy-tips-winter/