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This newsletter is about actual (& creative) ways to lower your spending in the fall months. I've been thinking a lot about this as I prepare my budget to constrict myself throughout the fall. Naturally, this happens in my spending post-summer for a few reasons, but let's talk about a few things I'm doing to lower my spending for the rest of the year before we get into our creative ways to save money:
I don't have much travel coming up anymore. I will be in FinCon (a conference for personal finance creators!) for five days in October, but that's considered a business expense, so it doesn't get factored into my budget! I've taken NINE trips since May, which were expensive, especially with Bella. Finding dog sitters & boarding her a few times adds up.
The holidays are coming up, which, for many people, might be a budget-breaker. Still, I've been saving $200 a month into a Holiday sinking fund in my HYSA to save for gifts and such, so this won't be factored into my fall budget now since I have the money sitting there!
Spending more time inside (lol) - I honestly LOVE living in the north this time of year because the weather gets colder, and that's my sign that it's time to slow down and have more chill weekends. A big part of this is that I have SO much going on with my business right now, which is fantastic, and I feel so grateful for that; it's helping me spend my weekends just chilling out and getting some work done.
36 Creative Ways To Save Money This Fall
If you're also thinking it's time to reset your finances and push yourself to save a ton of money in the coming months, here are 36 actual & creative ways that can help you make that happen this fall:
Grocery Budget
My grocery spend has honestly been out of hand recently. For one singular person (other than the occasional cooking for my boyfriend), there is no reason why I should be spending more than $250 a month on groceries. I mapped out an entire plan to save on groceries this fall, and here are some things that are going to help:
Plan out your grocery trips every month: This is something new that I'm trying that I honestly think will be a game-changer for my grocery spend. Earlier this week, I mapped out my entire month of October, including when I'll be away, and then planned the days I will go to the grocery store based on that. I've always thought of grocery shopping as a weekly thing, but then I realized that 80% of my groceries last at least two weeks OR can be put into the freezer so I can buy everything other than my fresh produce once a month. I will make a separate video on this, breaking down how to make a monthly grocery plan!
Shop your pantry: When planning your monthly meals, shop your pantry FIRST. Base the meals you want to cook on what ingredients or pantry items you already have; this can cut your grocery budget in half. For example, I looked through my freezer and saw I already have some frozen meat and seafood, so my meals in October will be based on those.
Shop less frequently: this goes back to my monthly grocery strategy. This month, I will try doing one big grocery trip at the beginning of the month, and then every trip after that throughout the month will be strictly a produce trip. Even those, I will try to limit to 2 more trips in October and supplement with frozen fruits and veggies if needed.
Only shop at discount grocery stores: This can cut your grocery spend in half. I'll only be shopping at Aldi this fall!
Integrate plant-based recipes into your diet: I am NOT plant-based or vegan, but it's no secret that cutting out meat can reduce your grocery spend. I've been mixing plant-based recipes into my meal plan (plant-based for lunch and meat/seafood for dinner most nights), and I love it because it forces me to eat more vegetables! Here's a list of easy plant-based recipes I use frequently to help me plan.
Make freezer-friendly meals: This is something that I don't do enough of! If you hate eating the same thing more than once or twice in a row but want to take advantage of buying in bulk, make your meals in bulk and then freeze the leftover servings! Here's a list of freezer-friendly meals that you can use for inspiration.
Don't buy your personal care/hygiene products at the grocery store: These items are frequently marked up at the grocery store! Buying personal care in bulk or discount stores can free up much room in your grocery budget.
Buy meat items in bulk & freeze the extras: Meat items are also great at bulk or discounted stores! Whenever you find a good deal, buy these in bulk and freeze them on hand.
Online Shopping
Cashback apps: I call these first three items “the 3 C's of getting the best deal”, and the first part is Cashback Apps! If you aren't using a cashback app, you miss out on free money. I can't stress enough how easy and underrated cashback apps are. They are free to use and give you cashback anywhere you spend your money online. For example, Rakuten very frequently offers 10% cashback at Macy's! Some of my favorite cashback apps are:
Rakuten (get a $30 bonus + use the browser extension!)
Capital One Shopping
Pro-tip: Use CashbackMonitor.com to see which cashback app or shopping portal has the best deal!
Coupons: If you aren't checking for coupons when you're online shopping, you are also missing out on free money! This one is straightforward because there are (totally free) browser extensions you can enable that automatically check and apply coupon codes! My favorite is Honey by PayPal, which automatically helps you get the best deal!
Credit Card Rewards: On TOP of cashback and coupons, you can stack credit card rewards to continue earning! For example, let's say you got 4% cashback when online shopping and used your Capital One Venture card; you just earned another 2 points per dollar spent on TOP of that 4% back! You can find and compare my favorite credit cards to earn points and miles here!
Know when a sale is good: Sites are notorious for marking up an item by 50% and listing it as a 50% discount! Luckily, browser extensions also help you see the price history of whatever item you're trying to buy to see if it's a deal. Honey by PayPal also tracks price history, so they have you covered. (this isn't sponsored, but I earn a small commission when you sign up using my link!)
Try to get a retroactive discount: If you did purchase an item and then saw the price drop after, contact the merchant and see if you can get a retroactive discount! This can be done efficiently by setting up price alerts on the Honey browser extension to notify you of sales.
Create a “to be bought” list: This is a tip to stop (or slow down) impulse spending! Keep a note in your notes app called “to be bought,” and list the things you want to buy when you see something you want. Leave it on the list for at least a few days before coming back to it - by that time, there's probably something else you want to buy more, and you might realize you don't need that item!
Food and Drinks
Regarding your restaurant and bar spending, it's essential to consider why you want to go out to eat/for drinks. Is it because you're a major foodie and love trying new dishes? Or is it because you want to spend time with the people you are going with? Or do you hate cooking and want to eat out for convenience? Find the root cause of your food/drink spending and figure out how to achieve the same result without spending as much money:
Restaurant cash back: Again, the Upside app can get you cashback on restaurants in your area! I typically see 4-6% cashback offers on restaurants near me. Use code ERIN484254 to sign up and start earning.
Buy discounted gift cards: I feel like not enough people know about this (it can also be applied to online retailers!). The Raise app lets you purchase gift cards at a discount (or sell unused ones!). This is an easy way to lower your dining bill.
Entertainment books: I don't think many people know about this. Check out the Entertainment Coupon Books site to get a list of 2-for-1 and 50% off coupons at restaurants and vendors near you. It's $35 a year (my mom always gets me a physical version for Christmas, so this could be a good gift idea), but if you think you'll use the coupons, this could be a good value and an excellent way to try new places in your area.
Groupon restaurant deals: Groupon also always has restaurant deals at different places around your city, so be sure to check them out!
Events in your city: The best way to try out new places, eat good food at food trucks & have a fun night out without spending a ton is to look out for events there!
Go out for food OR drinks but not both: It's so easy to rack up your tab when eating AND drinking out. Either have a drink at home and then go out for a meal, or eat dinner at home and then go out for a drink! Also, happy hour deals to get a drink + an appetizer can bring the cost of your meal down.
Credit card special offers: If you have a sound credit card with perks and offers, check the offers section! Amex is notorious for giving great dining coupons and offers to their cardholders.
Romanticize cooking: This is something that I've enjoyed lately! I love to cook and bake, and trying new recipes, having a date night in, or just slowing down and thinking of cooking as an activity and not a chore has allowed me to enjoy it more and spend more time cooking in vs. getting takeout.
Entertainment
Groupon for discounted activities: Groupon is also great for entertainment and activities in your area, making you try new things at a super-discounted price.
Events in your city: The best way to try out new places, eat good food at food trucks & have a fun night out without spending a ton is to look out for events there!
Host your friends over instead of going out: This is my favorite thing to do when it's cold in the fall/winter months, and no one wants to go anywhere. Hosting friends over is a much more budget-friendly alternative to going out or dinner, and it is usually more fun! Amazon has many affordable card games for girls' super fun nights!
Entertainment books: I don't think many people know about this. Check out the Entertainment Coupon Books site to get a list of 2-for-1 and 50% off coupons at restaurants and vendors near you. It's $35 a year (my mom always gets me a physical version for Christmas, so this could be a good gift idea), but if you think you'll use the coupons, this could be a good value and an excellent way to try new places in your area.
Free outdoor activities: My friend and I have recently been going on long outdoor walks on the weekends together, and it's such a fun hangout! It's free & we get to talk for hours (+ the exercise is great!)
Find free hobbies you can do alone: cooking/baking, exercising, reading (from the library), or any creative activity - all of these can occupy your time to stop you from spending money!
Make your hobby a business: If you have a hobby that you spend a ton of time on already, find a way to monetize it! There are so many ways to make additional income nowadays, and starting a side hustle will occupy so much of your time (which will help you avoid spending money out of boredom)
Gifts and Holidays
And finally, since the holidays are now approaching.
Trim your gift list: This is your reminder that everyone in your life does not need a Christmas gift. I only buy for my immediate family and like it better this way!
Plan: Make your gift list and corresponding present ideas list EARLY so that you can 1) know what your gift budget needs to be and 2) start shopping around for deals.
Set up price alerts on things you know you need to buy: I promise this is my last plug for Honey, but price alerts seriously are a game changer! Especially around the holidays, when prices change so quickly, it's helpful to get notified when there's a deal.
Buy with discounted gift cards or gift cards you already have: The discounted gift card trick works here, too! Use the Raise app to buy discounted gift cards for the retailers that you need to shop at.
Plan a Secret Santa: If your friend group (or family) does like to do presents, request a Secret Santa instead! That way, you only have to buy one gift instead of a gift for everyone in the group.
Don't go crazy with decorations: Decorations can eat up your budget this time of year, and they're SO expensive. See if anyone in your family has holiday hand-me-downs (the styles never really change), and go minimalist to save.
Plan for next year: Right after the holidays is the best time to buy decorations and wrapping supplies for next year - you can find these for up to 90% off the week after Christmas and New Year's!
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