Top 5 Expenses to Budget For in September
It’s that time of year again! Are you ready to put away your beach towel and break out your backpack?
If you’re feeling unprepared and overwhelmed about money for September, have no fear. Your budget is meant to change, just as the seasons do!
Here are the top five expenses to budget for in September
Back-to-School Shopping
Do you hear the ringing of class-change bells? Back to school expenses are the number one cost to consider as fall rolls around.
According to MarketWatch, parents expect to shell out $875 on back to school shopping in 2024. That’s almost as much as most people spend on holiday shopping!
With this in mind, don’t forget to write-in school supplies, clothing, extracurricular activities and technology into your September budget.
Check out my MSN feature, 7 Middle Class Shopping Strategies for Back to School Shopping.
Fall Clothing
The leaves are changing and the air is getting cooler. Take inventory of your current wardrobe and shop sales or thrift stores to fill in any fall clothing gaps you may have.
Seasonal Home Maintenance
If you’re a homeowner, September is the perfect time to prepare your house for winter.
Check your heating systems, your gutters, and the seals around your windows and doors.
It can be easy for cold air to slip through the cracks and increase your energy bill.
You can stop this by preparing your home now!
Holiday Planning
As I explained earlier, the average cost of holiday shopping is close to one-thousand dollars on average… and that’s just Christmas gifts! What about holiday clothes, decorations, food and travel? Don’t forget about Halloween and Thanksgiving!
Begin setting aside small amounts of money now to avoid taking a large financial burden later in the year.
Financial Coaching
As you settle into new routines and start analyzing the summer “damage,” you may want to consider speaking to a professional about ending the year with an optimized plan for your money.
Financial coaching can help with that and it can create a sustainable, step-by-step path for debt payoff, saving, and investing to build financial freedom and wealth.
With proactive steps in updating your budget, you’ll avoid financial stress and give yourself more money, energy, and space to enjoy the beautiful fall season!
