| Published 16 Days Ago
How to Save Money During the "Ber" Months
The “ber” months are some of the most exciting—and often the most expensive—times of the year. What’s a “ber” month? Any month ending in “ber”: September, October, November, and December. These months bring festive holidays, cozy traditions, and plenty of opportunities to create memories. But here’s the reality: they happen every year, and they shouldn’t catch you off guard.
The key is planning. That’s why I’m breaking down the priciest categories in each “ber” month and sharing practical tips to keep your spending in check — without sacrificing the fun.
September
Back-to-School Shopping
Purchase Supplies After School Starts
Stop buying all the items on the supply list before the school year begins. Many supplies go on sale a week, or even just days, after school starts. While it's exciting to begin the school year with new items, consider using last year's backpack and lunchbox for the first week.
Thrift Clothes and Shoes
Getting new clothes has always been one of my favorite back-to-school traditions. However, "new clothes" don't always have to be fresh from the factory. Sometimes, they can simply be new to the wearer. Consider visiting a thrift store to find second-hand treasures.
Price Match When Possible
Have you ever noticed a store price and realized you could find the item cheaper elsewhere? If you can prove it, you might be able to get the price reduced.
Football Season
Watch Games at Home
Swap the expensive tailgating party for frozen pizza and chips. And trade the pricey stadium seating for an at-home game-watching party. If attending games in person is important to you, there's no need to skip every game. Select one or two games you're most excited about and watch the rest at home.
Stream Games
Cable is expensive, but many people keep it primarily for sports seasons, especially football. But many streaming services offer affordable sports-specific packages. You can also pay to stream individual games if you only plan to watch one or two.
October
Halloween Candy
Buy in Bulk
Candy can be expensive, but buying in bulk lets you pay less per pound. And if a bulk bag exceeds your needs, consider sharing it with a neighbor or friend. This is a great way for both of you to save on Halloween candy.
Skip the Chocolate
It hurts my heart to say this, but if you're trying to save money, consider skipping chocolate Halloween candy. Chocolate is often the most expensive option, and you typically get less in each bag.
Halloween Costumes
DIY Your Costume
Avoid overspending on a Halloween costume by getting creative and making your own. You can repurpose items from your closet or draw inspiration from your craft supplies.
Costume Swap with Friends
Have you heard of a clothes swap? Why not try a costume swap instead? Gather all your old costumes, along with your kids' old costumes, and invite friends and family to do the same.
Shop Secondhand
If you're still looking for an affordable way to secure your Halloween costume this year, consider visiting the thrift store. In October, many second-hand stores display both unique clothing items and donated costumes.
November
Thanksgiving Dinner
Consider Store Meal Deals
If you feel passionately about making everything yourself, I'm not going to take that from you. However, if you're looking for a more affordable and relaxing Thanksgiving, consider purchasing a "Thanksgiving Meal Deal" from your local grocery store.
Skip the Turkey
If your family is anything like mine, the most popular part of Thanksgiving dinner is the side dishes. That's why we stopped buying and cooking a turkey years ago. Really!
Buy Generic or Store Brand Food
Curious about the difference between store-brand beans and those from big-name brands? It's often just the label. That's right, you're paying extra for "name-brand" foods at the grocery store. In many cases, these generic options are produced by the same company that manufactures the original brand.
Black Friday/Cyber Monday
Confirm the Deals are Deals
Wow, the vacuum I've been eyeing is now on sale for $150, down from $300! However, I noticed it was priced at $155 online just last week. Is it cheaper now? Yes. Was the "original price" really $300? No. The store is using a sneaky tactic to make it seem like they're offering a significant discount that they aren't.
Set a Budget
The easiest way to avoid overspending during a big sales event is to determine your spending limit in advance. This approach is particularly useful if you're unsure of exactly what you want to purchase.
December
Seasonal Experiences
Drive Around to Look at Lights
You could pay to visit a fancy light display, but it might be crowded and likely not free. However, you know what is free? Making hot cocoa at home, piling into the car, turning on a Christmas radio station, and driving around town to admire other people's Christmas light decorations.
Decorating the Christmas Tree
Decorating the tree is a quintessential part of Christmas. However, many people repurchase all their decorations each year. Instead of starting from scratch with store-bought lights, ornaments, and garlands, consider DIYing your decorations or reusing what you already have.
Gifts
Skip Gifts for Quality Time
Finding, buying, wrapping, and giving gifts can be both costly and time-consuming, especially during your already busy December. Consider asking your friends, family, and co-workers to skip gift exchanges this year. Instead, opt for quality time activities.
Give Homemade Gifts
It might sound cheesy, but the best gifts aren't found in stores. If you have a talent for baking or crafting, the holiday season is your time to shine. Even if you don't craft or bake, consider what skills you have — can you transform them into a gift?