5 Things to Budget for in September

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by The Smart Wallet Updated on October 20, 2020

Rows of orange and white pumpkins on display

In September, schools are back in session, the holidays are slowly creeping in, and of course, there are sales. With all this going on, it’s easy to get lost chasing other tasks, and you forget to set up a budget to handle your September-specific expenses.

Here’s a list of things of some of the things you should intentionally budget for September.

Summer Clothes Sales

From September, the intense heat of the summer slowly gives way for autumn’s gentle breeze, and that’s the best time to shop for summer clothes. Savvy shoppers know that the best time to buy items is when they are not in season, and what better time to shop for summer clothes than at the end of summer?

In the later parts of the year, retailers put summer clothes on sale because they need to get new stock. That’s good news for shoppers who set money aside in August because now they can take advantage of these sales as they come.

Tailgate Parties

Tailgate parties are almost exclusively held in the United States and are a big tradition for many families before college and professional football games.

Are you a Dallas Cowboys fan who is tailgating at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, or are you and LSU Tigers fan cooking up a mess of jambalaya and red beans and rice? Either way, you’ll have to stock up on food and trick out your party station to accommodate twenty or thirty of your best fan-friends. Don’t forget to include these essential items in your kit too:

  • Spatulas, tongs and basters
  • Skewers and toothpicks
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Sunscreen and bug spray
  • Bottle openers
  • Trash bags
  • Flashlights and batteries
  • Ponchos and / or umbrellas (you never know!)
  • Thermoses as the season goes on (They’re great for transporting soups and hot bevvies. )

Halloween Costumes

In September, you’ll start seeing Halloween themed items like costumes, candy, and decorations. This is a friendly reminder from your local retailer that you only have two months to get ready for the spookiest holiday of the year!

Of course, the best time to buy decorations for any holiday is the day after. If you’re ready to think a year ahead, you can start saving now for next year’s blowout festivities. But even if you’re not that dedicated to deals, you can still use these cool Halloween hacks to save money while keeping it creepy.

  1. Second-hand stores are a great place to find super cheap clothes to repurpose as costumes.
  2. Check out Youtube for great makeup tutorials that won’t break the bank.
  3. If you have a pet, incorporate them into your Adams Family vibe with an old black scarf or kids clothes from the second-hand store you went to for step 1.
  4. If you already have a subscription to Spotify or Apple Music, an audiophile has created a playlist to make your party or haunted house sing. And if you don’t have a subscription to a streaming music service, get one! This rule applies to parties throughout the year.

Your Thanksgiving Feast

Thanksgiving is the season to be thankful for everything you’ve enjoyed throughout the year. And part of giving thanks is breaking bread with your nearest and dearest. But don’t let it break the bank!

If you have a large family or you’re expecting to host a lot of people for thanksgiving, budgeting means that you’ll have one more thing to be thankful for.

  • Start collecting coupons early. Don’t wait until the week before the holiday to fill up a folder of deals! It will also help your menu planning, which leads us to…
  • Don’t go full-on Martha Stewart with your meal plan. If you come from a family with a tradition of Thanksgivings on a budget, you know what we mean: corn pudding, roasted veggies and mashed potatoes will make your guests give big thanks.
  • There are other meats! In many houses, ham isn’t just for Easter, and because it’s not the marquee meat for T-day, you can get one for less without skimping on holiday joy.

Fall Weddings

Having your wedding in the fall is a fantastic idea for a number of reasons. First, most people are back from their summer travels, so unless you’re having a destination wedding, the folks most likely to come will be in the neighborhood. Also, the weather is great, and the leaves changing color make for a great wedding scenery.

Of course, most wedding planning happens at least a year before the big day, so if you’re planing on a fall wedding, plan for next year and start saving now.

The Bottom Line

These are just some of the budgeting ideas you can execute in the month of September. If you have needs that are more specific to you coming up later in the year, you can also add them to your list and plan accordingly.

Don’t wait to get out of debt! Read this: A Complete, Step-By-Step Guide to Get Out of Debt.