With the Summer season behind us, it is time to welcome the cooler weather in the fall. Unfortunately, inflation did not receive the news that the calendar changed to the Fall, as it is still enjoying the Summer heat and remains extremely hot. If you are looking forward to the Fall season but want to enjoy it budget-friendly, then consider implementing one or more of the following money-saving tips.
Take Advantage of Pre-Holiday Sales
With many retail stores sitting on higher-than-expected inventory, many have decided to slash prices ahead of the Holiday shopping season. A few weeks ago, Target and Walmart announced that they would roll back prices to make room for new seasonal items. In addition, Amazon recently announced they would be running a second Prime Day on October 11-12. While this “Prime Early Access Sale” is only available for Amazon Prime members, it will feature discounts on “hundreds of thousands” of items. If you are looking to do some early Holiday shopping or just need to stock up on everyday items at a discount, then you will want to ensure that you take advantage of these deals.
Make a Grocery List
Before you head to the grocery store, I highly recommend you do some pre-planning by making a list of the meals for the week. This way, not only can you determine the ingredients you will need to prep your meals, but more importantly, it will give you the chance to make a shopping list. Once your list is complete, I would suggest you look through the weekly circulars for coupons and to see if any of the ingredients you need are on sale. If you are shopping for produce, be sure to shop for in-season fruits and vegetables as these tend to cost less than out-of-season items. Best of all, they taste better, too. Once you arrive at the grocery store with your list it is important to stick to it, as impulse purchases can quickly run up your bill.
Take Advantage of Free Entertainment
if you want to have fun with the kids or grandkids, the Fall is a great time to take advantage of free entertainment. A hike, bike ride, or picnic may be a great option if you enjoy being outdoors and taking in the colorful foliage. Or, if you enjoy the beach, take a long stroll on the boardwalk and breathe in all the saltwater air you can. If you are looking for more entertainment, perhaps you can find a local fall festival or farm. Apple picking and pumpkin picking are also fun activities that you can enjoy with kids or grandkids. If you are headed to a festival or farm, packing your lunch may be a good idea. This way, you don’t have to purchase food from the higher-priced vendors.
Turn Your Thermostat Off
The Fall is one of the few times during the year when you can give your furnace a break. In fact, you may be able to turn it off completely and open the windows to get some fresh air. If you happen to live in a drafty house, it may be a good idea to block those drafts by adding weather stripping to any doors or windows as we head into the winter months. This may allow you to turn down your heat by 1 to 2 degrees. This subtle change should not be too harsh on you and your family, and it will save you money on your monthly heating bill. The average household has their heat turned up much higher than they need to, leading to higher bills.
