5 Simple Ways To Save Money This Fall

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Fall is in the air. No, literally, rain is now falling, leaves are changing, and the mornings are cool and crisp. All signs point to the changing of seasons, which makes kids mourn and parents rejoice, because Fall is on is finally here. And along with the season of Fall is a number of great family activities, traditions and don’t forget, AMAZING FOOD!

Fall is quickly becoming our favorite season in the iHB household. Summer is great, backyard parties and friends are cool, but there’s just something magical about leaves crunching underfoot and seeing your breath in the air for the first time in months. Fall seems to slow everything down, just before the rush of the holidays. And as things slow down, we start busting out the ol’ fall décor, and planning awesome falls meals and events with friends and family. And with these new events, comes some great ways to save money and still enjoy the best of the season. Here are 5 simple ways to save money this Fall.

Using The Outdoors As Fall Décor

Home décor can take a toll on your wallet, but it doesn’t have to. Nature provides some of the best items for decoration right in your neighborhood. You can just take your family on walk to pick out leaves, pinecones, sticks, and acorns. You can lay the leaves down over a fabric runner on the center of your table. The pinecones can be put in clear vase or trifle bowl for a wonderful fall centerpiece. You can take the sticks and place them in a tall vase, hang paper leaves on them with twine, and have your family write little notes on the paper leaves of what they are thankful for.

As well, many people drop money on gourds each year, just to toss them in the food waste when done. They’re pretty expensive for just a throw-away item. Find some gourds replacements, except for the “Indian corn”, which can keep from year to year.

Cost = Pocket change

Savings = $100’s over department store décor

Fall Festival For Halloween

Many local community centers put on great Halloween or “Fall Festival” celebrations. Admission is inexpensive, usually just a bag of candy per kid. They have great activities for the kids in a weather-independent, safe environment. The kids will have a blast, you’ll save a bundle, and it’s a great way to build community.

Cost = Bag o’ candy per kid

Savings = $20+ on candy for trick-or-treaters

Use Squash Meals

Squash is IN SEASON during the fall, and can be found relatively inexpensively at grocery stores. Michelle has found butternut squash to be the best price and value at Trader Joes stores, if you have them in your area. She also makes THE BOMB.COM recipe of all fall recipes with this delicious squash.  Squash is filling, healthy, and can be very cheap!

Cost = $2 plus bacon

Savings = $10 – $20 per family meal

DIY Pumpkin Spice Lattes

Some may have noticed an overwhelming urge to go to the nearest Starbucks and order the fall classic; A Pumpkin Spice Latte! Though the satisfaction of sipping your pumpkin-y spiced hot drink on a cool fall day may seem worth it, you can do one even better and make your own from the comfort of your home (and healthier too!). Just hop on over to everyone’s favorite DIY site, Pinterest, and search for “pumpkin spice latte”, and gaze on in amazement at the best homemade lattes you have ever seen. Then gather those simple ingredients and make your own. I’m getting’ all warm and fuzzy thinking about it (and I don’t even drink coffee!)

Cost = A few bucks

Savings = A few bucks PER latte

Pumpkin Patch Living Social Deals

You know Living Social, your favorite site for crazy discounted outings and restaurant deals. Well, make sure to hit it up for the latest deals on your pumpkin patch outing. Yup, I know it’s mid-September, but Halloween is just around the corner, and that means you need a HUGE PUMPKIN sitting outside of your house as a fire hazard. Plus, it’ll give the neighborhood hoodlums something to smash. Regardless, you NEED a pumpkin, so might as well get free hot cocoa, a hay ride, and corn maze out of it too, at 50% off! You can sign up for daily emails on Living Social, and find the next local pumpkin patch deal that comes up. Also, if you find a deal, don’t forget to share it on your Facebook page or with friends and family. If 3 people sign up, your deal ends up being free!

Cost = $20 – $30

Savings = At least 50%, or FREE if 3 people buy through your link

Comments: These are only a few ways to save money this fall, but I know there are tons more. What are your favorite Fall activities, and what do you do to save money on them?