7 Ways To Save Money This Fall

With inflation at over 8% in August, it is an important time to begin watching every penny (if you haven’t been already). According to the official government agency tracking prices, i.e. the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), food prices increased 11.4% from August 2021 to August 2022. Gasoline prices are up 25.6% over the same period. A new car will cost you 10.1% more, and even a used car will cost you 7.8% more than it would have a year ago. And these are the “official” numbers… many believe the actual numbers are much worse.

On a positive note, price increases in August are “less bad” than they were the month before, but just because a car slows from 100 mph to 90 mph doesn’t mean it isn’t still speeding. At 8.3% inflation, prices DOUBLE in just over 8 years. Can you imagine your grocery bills doubling?

Since we can’t change the state of the global economy, let’s look at some of the ways we can reduce the impact on our families and save money this fall.

Save Money on Food

You don’t have to change the amount of food you eat or the quality of your meals to save money on food. A couple of simple changes can go a long way regarding money.

Use seasonal fruits and vegetables to your advantage to save money this fall. If you have free space in your garden, you can use it to plant your vegetables and fruits. This is a fun, easy, and low-cost hobby that will save you money in the long run.
Create a meal plan over the weekend the for next week… minimize the risk of buying too many things you probably won’t use and then throwing them away.
Buy groceries in bulk (when they are on sale) and freeze them. Supermarkets often run “loss-leaders” to attract customers. By stocking up on these (from several different flyers), you can save on meat from one, dairy from another, and veggies from a third.
Prepare meals in advance on a single day for the next few days to save cooking time. This will avoid the impulse to stop for fast food or eat out (food away from home is up 13.5%).
After shopping, list items that will expire soon and use them first.
Organize your fridge so that the soon-to-expire things are visible and do not go to waste.
Make your work lunches at home instead of buying them. Taking just a little time the night before to prepare your lunch will save you a lot of money, and its a great way to use up leftovers.
Instead of going out with your friends and family, arrange to spend the time making a barbecue. It’s much more fun and won’t cost as much.

Save money this fall plant a garden with a variety of vegetables. — Photo by João Jesus

Although you might not be able to do it this fall (unless you build a greenhouse), you might consider having a garden. Gardens are great ways to have fresh produce, get some fresh air and exercise and save money at the same time.

However, growing a garden is not as easy as just throwing some seeds on the ground and coming back the next day and picking luscious fruits and veggies.

A good garden takes time, work, and knowledge. So if you would like to have a garden in the spring, the time to start planning is now.

Shop Consciously

Save money by buying second-hand — Photo by Julia M Cameron

Changing our shopping habits can go a long way, and it doesn’t have to be only about food. Buying second-hand items is becoming more and more popular, and it is also good for the environment. Maybe you won’t find exactly everything you need, but the things you do find will be affordable and can be just as good as new. Impulse shopping should be avoided as it creates a large hole in our pockets. Buy things that are durable and reusable instead of single-use items.

Track Your Expenses

Have you ever looked at your balance and wondered where all the money went? Or having too much month left at the end of your money?

Many people find themselves not knowing where they spent their money or how it’s gone so quickly. Tracking your income streams and expenses in one place will give you the ability to make better financial decisions and have a clear view of your finances. You can do this the old-fashioned way with a pen and a notebook or use one of the many great apps available. Now, you can make a clear budget for the upcoming month. All you need to do now is stick to your plan during the fall. Always set aside some money for an emergency fund to help you cover any potential unexpected costs.

Cut Down on Travel Costs

If you have the opportunity to work from home, use it. This is the best way to save not just your time and energy but gas money too.
Use public transport as much as you can. Taking the train, bus, or metro will get you where you need to be on time without costing you much. Not having good public transportation options doesn’t mean you can’t save money.
Carpooling with your coworkers or paying for a ride together can go a long way.
If you plan on moving, hiring a moving company will save you money in the long run, as you won’t risk having your things damaged or spending money on gas and packing supplies. You can plan your moving expenses and know how much to set aside for the cost of transportation. When traveling by plane across states or internationally, look closely for any cheaper flights on multiple websites.

DIY as Much as Possible

Some things can be made just as easily as bought. There are so many free resources online that can teach you simple DIYs to make at home. Not only will it save you money, but you’ll get to explore your creative side as well. You can do the house cleaning and small repairs around the home by yourself.

Rethink Entertainment

Think about which subscription services you really use and whether you need them. How many times did you go to the gym? Do you watch shows frequently? We all have multiple subscriptions for watching our favorite TV shows, but maybe it’s best to subscribe only to one per month and switch them out from time to time. There are plenty of ways to have fun without spending a fortune. Free streaming services on the internet can be one of them. If you are thinking about starting a new hobby, opt for one that has a low starting cost. This can be starting a small garden in your backyard or taking care of plants in a vertical garden in your kitchen. Repurposing items you no longer need will keep you from spending more money unnecessarily. As for having fun with your friends and family, you can buy a couple of second-hand board games to play together. It will bring you closer together just as much as going out. This can be the time to renew your library card and read something new. Make a list of books you’re interested in and keep a diary of the books you’ve read. It’s a nice hobby to have and an easy way to keep track of the books you’ve read. You can even start a book club with some of your neighbors or friends.

Coupons and Discounts

It’s easy to find online services that provide coupons for the things you want to buy. Plugins that automatically add promotional codes and coupons to your shopping list can go a long way. If you have subscriptions you feel are too expensive but still want to keep them, call them and ask whether they’d be willing to give you a discount. There’s nothing to lose except a minute of your time taken to call their office. Before you buy anything, check and compare the prices online to spot items on sale easily.

To Conclude

We can see that a few simple lifestyle changes and better organizing skills can go a long way. Don’t be discouraged if it takes some time to see the improvement – every small step is a step in the right direction. Before long, the money-saving changes you’ve made will have a positive impact on your finances.

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