Tomorrow is officially the first day of fall! 🍂 With a new season comes new expenses (particularly fall and winter with the holidays). So today we're here to share some budget friendly tips and reminders so that you can enjoy this beautiful season while staying on track with your finances.
Let's dive right in! 👻
Don't forget to budget! 🤑
Budget! Budget! Budget! If you're an avid reader of our blog than you already know that here at Untangle Money we really love a good budget. We've talked about budgeting a lot on our blog so we won't get into the details today. But, we will give you some reminders and tips today:
Think ahead and plan for the future! Take time at the beginning of the month to go over your income, and fixed and variable expenses, as well as any other expenses that may come up (think birthdays, events, holidays, Halloween, fall activities, etc.) If you already know of future plans that will involve spending, make sure to account for that in your budget.
It's never too early to start shopping for the holidays, birthdays, or any event that involves spending money/buying gifts! You can start by making a list of what you need to get and by what date; then you can spread out that spending over the next few months instead of spending all your money in one month.
Remember to set boundaries for yourself. Budgeting is great for your financial life, managing money and reaching your goals -- but it shouldn't take over your entire life.
It's important to be mindful of when and how budgeting brings you stress. You don't need to be checking your budget every day or filling it out every time you make a purchase, etc., but you can certainly do so if that works for you!
You can treat yourself while spending within your means! ☕️
What does "spending within your means" mean? It basically means that what you spend each month (including your fixed expenses) is less than or at least equal to the amount of money that you bring in each month. Many people have the mindset that having a budget and managing your finances is super restrictive and means cutting a lot of things out. This is not true at all! You don't have to sacrifice the things that bring you joy. While you may have to give up some things or limit yourself, it's very easy to incorporate the little things that bring you joy into your budget while staying on track to meet your goals.
Sisterly advice: With any new season or holiday approaching comes a whole lot of promotional emails. A good trick to incorporate with any new season is to unsubscribe from these types of emails to avoid being convinced that you need these products - especially if you don't actually want them. Also make sure your favorite shopping websites are not bookmarked on your browser.
Budget-friendly fall activities! 🎃
Now that we've covered some financial tips, here are some fun fall/holiday season activities you can do without breaking the bank!
Go pumpkin picking with a group of friends or buy some from your local market/grocery store. Have a pumpkin carving night at home and bake the seeds for a yummy snack after!
If you're planning to do some fall shopping try out a thrift store or consignment store, apps and online second-hand stores like Poshmark or thredUP, or even do a clothing swap with friends!
Go for a fall hike - there are tons of locations if you're located in the GTA area, if not we're sure there are some wherever you are! Hiking is (usually) free, the fresh air and colours will brighten your day, plus it's a great photo opportunity!
Fall means Halloween time! In terms of a costume: you can make a DIY costume, shop your closet, repurpose an old costume, or trade old costumes for new ones with your friends! You can also have a Halloween movie night or check out a haunted house (there are usually some that only require a small fee or donation).
If you’re hosting a fall or holiday gathering, don’t do it all yourself. Instead of going solo and planning the menu on your own/buying everything yourself, go potluck style or assign everyone a dish to bring.
Sisterly advice: It's important to remember that you can say no. While we're happy to offer budget-friendly activities you can do this season, it's important to be honest with yourself and those around you about your financial situation. Remember that you have a plan and have set aside a specific amount of money for leisure or fun expenses, try to stay within your budgeted amount.
What's next?
You can follow us over on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and LinkedIn to see more content about personal finances and planning for your financial future. You can also check out our other blog posts here!
Financial independence is a huge part of being a strong, independent person, and it is our mission to help women, and anyone who doesn't feel safe or welcome in financial spaces typically dominated by cis men, set themselves up for financial success.
At Untangle Money we help women understand their (real!) financial picture, and obtain financial guidance from people that actually, really, get it. We would love to help you, too! Join the community of hundreds of other women looking to strengthen their financial well-being. You can check out our products and plans here or get in touch for a free consultation!
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