10 Easy Ways to Save Money This Fall

We are already in fall – where has the year gone?! – but there are still some things you can do to save money this fall. And these are not the life-changing, tough kinds of things, but instead they are pretty easy ways to save money. Who doesn’t like to save money when it just takes a little bit of effort instead of spending a bunch of time and energy that you don’t have, especially when the kids are back in school and sports, and your calendar is full.

1. Recaulk windows while it is still nice enough outside to do so but before the cold comes and tries to pull all the cold air out of your house.
2. Check your cell phone bill and usage. It’s good to set aside time each year (or more often) to do an analysis of your cell phone and see if you could change your plan to something less expensive or that suits your needs better (i.e. if you don’t need that many minutes or if you are spending a fortune on text messaging and need an unlimited plan).
3. Cooler weather beckons many people to start walking and spending more time outdoors. It’s not too hot, and it’s not too cold. Unfortunately allergies tend to cause problems during this time. Remember to shower after mowing the lawn, rinse your nose and eyes after being outdoors, and be sure to look for generic brands of your allergy over-the-counter medication to save some money.
4. Rent yard work equipment. Instead of buying expensive machinery that is only used once or a couple times a year, check your local hardware store or rental store. You can also share equipment if you have a good relationship with your neighbors or family members.
5. Flex-Spending. Fall is usually the time when employees can sign up for an employer’s flex-spending account which can save you money on taxes. Check with your employer to see if a flex-spending account is available and when you can sign up.
6. Plant a Fall Veggie Garden. Many gardeners think the end of summer means the end of gardening, but it doesn’t have to. You can plant a fall garden and save money on groceries and water, and you get fresh tasty food! Just be sure to check out the average first frost date in your area and count backwards from there to see when you should plant your veggies.
7. Close the curtains as soon as it gets dark. This won’t save you tons of money, but it will help keep the warm air in and help you cut back on the heating bill.
8. Clean the gutters. Every year gutters get full of dirt and debris and should be cleaned. This can save you major headaches in the winter and spring by keeping your gutters working properly and avoiding gutters falling or roofs leaking due to over-full gutters.
9. Decorate for less. Visit the dollar store for much less expensive decorations for fall and Thanksgiving. You can find all sorts of cute decorations or use a little bit of creativity to put together something all your own with inexpensive items (i.e. make a beautiful wreath for your door with dollar store fall leaves and maybe a small pumpkin).
10. Start your Christmas shopping early. Instead of packing a huge blow to your budget, start picking up some Christmas gifts now and spread out the spending. Just remember, you should be making a list of how much you want to spend on Christmas gifts (for each person!) and stick to your budget.

Tags: fall, save money