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Fall is now in full swing and with that comes increased expenses. Higher costs in utility bills, paying for programs and lunch for the kids, and even the impending holidays around the corner are enough to throw anyone’s budget off. Rather than turn your hair grey by stressing, it is a good idea to get on top of these things now so that you can save money throughout the fall season. 

Below are some fairly simple ways you can begin to save money around the house:

1.  Weatherproof Your Home

You’re going to need to cut on the heating system soon and this means increased costs for your energy bill. Rather than allow your hard earn cash to blow away with the wind, it is a good idea to weatherproof your home. Check around the house for any small holes or gaps and seal them up so that your heat stays in your home instead of leaving. If you have older windows, adding some plastic can improve the efficiency of your home and keep your heating system from overworking itself. Weatherproofing materials are fairly cheap and will certain generate a return on investment.

2.  Check Your Energy Bill

Speaking of energy bills, before you turn on the heat for the cooler weather ahead it is a good idea to review your energy bill. If you’ve noticed that the bill is increasing and your consumption has stayed the same, it may be time to consider switching energy providers. Now that the US and Canada have the power to choose their energy supplier, you might be able to find increased savings through companies like ENMAX and other service providers.

3.  Have Your Systems Serviced

You don’t want to wait until the middle of November to find out that your heating system is working properly. Now is a good a time as any to go ahead and contact an HVAC professional to get your systems serviced. The HVAC contractor can take a look at the machine, change the filters, and notify you if there are any issues you may want to get squared away. Maintenance services are a lot more affordable than making a repair so stay ahead of the game so you’re not stuck in the cold.

4.  Clean Out the Gutters

Fall is going to mean a lot of leaves all over the house and yard. Since your gutter system is what protects the home’s foundation and keeps the rain waters falling as they should, you’re going to want to make sure that they are clear and free from debris. If you’re not a fan of heights, having a roofer clean the gutters is another option that is pretty affordable. If you’ve ever seen the cost of a foundation repair, you’ll probably be more than willing to go ahead and pay for the gutters to be cleaned instead.

5.  Make Your Meals at Home

If you’ve been doing a lot of dining out over the summer (which most families do because who wants to cook in the summertime?), then you’re going to want to scale back and bit. Making all of your meals at home can actually save you a lot of cash which can easily be put away for your holiday shopping list. If you’re pressed for time during the week, the Crockpot works wonders for making meals that will be cooking while you’re handling other responsibilities.

6.  Have Your Car Serviced

Last on the list of things to do this Fall would be to have your vehicle serviced. You don’t want to end up sitting on the side of the road in the cold because you forgot to have the oil changed or get a tune up. The weather during the fall can vary greatly and so you want to make sure your vehicle is prepared to get you to and from the places you need to be. Scheduling an oil change, air filter change, and tune up are all beneficial and can save you money in the long run.

Hopefully I’ve given you a few things to think about in the next month or so. Sure it means adding more to your long list of things to do, but when you consider that you’ll be saving a great deal of money, it’s worth the time and effort. With the savings you get from each of these recommendations you are sure to have a wonderful holiday season with your family. 

Due to the amount of comments from all of my wonderful readers, it is not always possible for me to respond to each one. However, I absolutely do read them all, and if you’d like to address something specific, or have a question for me, please don’t hesitate to email me at Kristen@theroadtodomestication.com. I will respond to your email as soon as possible! Thank you for visiting the blog!