Give Your Fall Calendar a Spending Plan

Key Takeaways

• Seasonal activities can add up quickly when they aren’t planned for.
• Setting a spending amount in advance can make it easier to enjoy fall without overspending.
• Free and low-cost activities can help balance more expensive plans.
• Reviewing your calendar can reveal upcoming costs before they become surprises.

Main Article

Fall calendars tend to fill up fast. Football games, festivals, school activities, Halloween events, dinners out and weekend getaways can all compete for both your time and your money. Individually, those expenses may not seem significant, but together they can put unexpected pressure on your monthly budget.

Take a look at your calendar for the next six to eight weeks and identify activities that are likely to involve spending. Include admission fees, food, transportation, school fundraisers, costumes and other extras that are easy to overlook. Then decide approximately how much you’re comfortable spending on fall entertainment and activities before the invitations and opportunities start piling up.

You don’t have to eliminate the fun to stay on track. Mix paid outings with lower-cost options such as hiking, neighborhood events, community festivals or an at-home game or movie night. When you do choose to splurge on something special, you’ll know you’ve made room for it rather than simply adding another expense.

A seasonal spending plan doesn’t need to be complicated. The goal is simply to anticipate where your money may be going. A few minutes spent looking ahead can help you enjoy a busy fall without wondering afterward where all that extra spending came from.