Strengthen Your Finances With Fall Savings

Did back-to-school shopping leave you with a lighter wallet and a longer credit card statement? With the holidays coming up, now is the ideal time to start replenishing your savings account. Unfortunately, autumn can be an expensive time of year as well. From Black Friday to Halloween, expenses add up quickly. However, with a little planning, you can schedule a fun-filled fall while still setting aside money for the holidays. The following tips could strengthen your finances and provide some extra fall savings.

Prep Your Home

Before the crisp weather turns frosty, invest a few bucks into your home. Leaks around your windows and doors can result in up to 30% of lost energy costs. To help fix the issue, install weather stripping on your windows and doors to keep the heat in. Then, you may even be able to turn down your thermostat 1 or 2 degrees.

Another thing to check is the buildup of dust in your furnace. A licensed technician can examine, clean and monitor your system so it runs more efficiently during the winter. Annual inspections prevent expensive emergency repairs. Best of all, you’ll rack up more savings on your energy bill.

Cook Hearty Fall Meals

Everyone loves seasonal food. When the leaves begin to fall, we crave apple, pumpkin, squash and sweet potatoes. With an abundance of fall produce, try to skip expenses at the meat counter. A good way to start is by planning Meatless Mondays. Autumn is also a great time to prepare soups and slow cooker meals. Both are easy to prep and freeze for later. Ready-to-go meals are a great way to avoid takeout on busy fall nights.

Break Up With Espresso

Don’t fall down the rabbit hole of pumpkin spice lattes and peppermint mochas this autumn. These fancy beverages, costing around $5 a pop, add up fast. Instead, turn to your coffee pot at home and treat yourself with some seasonal syrups and spices. Skipping the drive-thru could save you hundreds of dollars over the next couple of months.

Shop Smart

Before hitting the grocery store, prepare your shopping list and clip coupons. By mapping out your meals, you’ll avoid grabbing unnecessary items. Try switching to private label foods as well, they’re a little less costly. A few cents here and there will make for big savings over time.

Frugal Fall Fun

Luckily, autumn presents a variety of affordable activities. Gather the family and go to the pumpkin patch, drive-in movies, corn mazes, apple picking and much more. You don’t have to stay at home to keep your budget low. These fun outings won’t break the bank. Football season is a time-honored tradition that you can also enjoy on a budget. Trade over-priced jerseys for discount store steals.

Examine Your Expenses

With the abundance of budgeting apps, it’s easy to track your daily spending. Mint is great for reforming your financial habits. Gas Buddy is extremely helpful for cutting down on fuel expenses. Acorns is a fantastic way to start investing in your future. If you’re looking for more aggressive ways to save, consider putting a freeze on your spending for a set period of time. Start with a weekend and if you feel comfortable, try extending it to a full week.

Set Reachable Goals

As mentioned earlier, fall is a great time to rebuild your bank account for the holidays ahead. Consider setting goals to transform your savings, focus on paying off debt and try to wrap up the year with financial confidence. You’d be surprised at how effective consistent small steps can be. Don’t wait for the start of the new year. Take control of your spending today. There’s no better time than the present and we are always here to help.

Personal Loans and Debt Consolidation!

Need a little extra cash for your fall festivities? Talk to our debt specialists today! We’ll help you find the right personal loan to meet your goals. We also offer easy debt consolidation loans. No matter what your situation, you’d be surprised at how many different ways we can help. After running a quick credit check, we’ll present you with a variety of great options. At Heights Finance, our focus is helping you take control and plan ahead for the future.