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. Build these seasonal expenses into your budget so you can enjoy the celebrations without derailing your financial goals. And while planning ahead is essential, it’s still smart to look for ways to save where you can.

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.

Table of Contents

September

Back-to-School Shopping

Football Season

October

Halloween Candy

Halloween Costumes

November

Thanksgiving Dinner

Black Friday/Cyber Monday

December

Seasonal Experience

Gifts

September

Back-to-School Shopping

Purchase Supplies After School Starts

Stop buying all the items on the school 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. You'll likely find great options at significant discounts afterward. For other supplies like pencils, pens, and notebooks, buy only what you need initially and wait to purchase the rest once they go on sale.

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 see what second-hand treasures you can find. Purchasing second-hand clothing not only saves money but also supports sustainability and benefits the environment.

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. Many stores offer price matching, which is an excellent way to ensure you always get the lowest possible price. Be sure to check if the store where you're shopping has a price-matching program.

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. Invite friends over and host a potluck to recreate the stadium atmosphere in the comfort of your living room.

Stream Games

Cable is expensive, but many people keep it primarily for sports seasons, especially football. Fortunately, the days when cable television dominated our viewing choices are over. Today, you don't need to pay for an expensive TV package to watch your favorite games. Many streaming services offer affordable sports-specific packages, or you can 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 purchasing in bulk allows you to 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. Remember, you're just one of many houses; not everyone needs to hand out chocolate bars. Additionally, some kids prefer non-chocolate candy, and you'll make their night by giving them more of their favorite types.

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 explore your craft supplies for inspiration. If you need DIY ideas for a specific costume, consider searching Pinterest for ideas and inspiration.

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. Turn the event into a potluck by asking everyone to bring a dish to share. Then swap costumes until everyone leaves with something fun and new for Halloween!

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. With an open mind, you're sure to find something you'll love.

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. Not all stores offer these deals, and those that do may vary in their offerings. Typically, these meal deals include a turkey, a potato or sweet potato dish, a vegetable dish, and stuffing, all pre-cooked and packaged. You may need to reheat them, but this option significantly reduces the stress and costs of Thanksgiving preparations.

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! Some years, we purchase a ham if it's within our budget and we want an extra protein on the table. However, most years, we go without, and our Thanksgiving is just as enjoyable and satisfying.

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. So, always compare prices, do the math, and ensure you're choosing the option that offers the best value for your money.

Black Friday/Cyber Monday

Make a List Before the Sale

I often find myself spending the most money during sales on items I hadn't even considered purchasing beforehand. This happens because major sales events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday are designed to attract you with significant discounts on big-ticket items, such as TVs. Once you're drawn in, it's easy to end up buying things you didn't realize you needed. However, in most cases, those additional purchases aren't necessary. To avoid this, make a list of everything you intend to buy before the sale—whether for Christmas gifts or household necessities—and stick to that list.

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. But they can't fool me, I’ve done my research. Don’t purchase items just because they seem like a good deal during a sale — always verify that they truly are a better bargain.

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. While we highly recommend making a list beforehand, we recognize that the holiday season can be hectic, and you might prefer to shop spontaneously for those on your list. That's perfectly fine, just be sure to set a budget and adhere to it.

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. You'd be amazed at the creativity some people put into their home holiday displays. It would be a shame if not enough people drove by to appreciate them.

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, year after year.

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. For instance, host a lunchtime potluck with your co-workers, or go out for dinner with your friends instead of exchanging gifts.

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? For instance, could you offer a coupon to make someone dinner or clean their car? Those are gifts I'd be thrilled to receive.

Don't Be Afraid to Regift Something

Why does everyone hate regifting? We should normalize the idea of passing on items we don't use to those who will appreciate them. If you have a candle with a scent you dislike, but know someone who would genuinely enjoy it, it's not a faux pas to gift it to them. Just ensure that what you're giving is something they will truly want.

The "ber" months can be expensive, but they don't have to be. By rethinking certain traditions and being more mindful of your budget, you can enjoy these months without compromising your financial goals.

If you need additional help saving for holiday expenses, consider opening a high-yield savings account specifically for the holidays. You might also opt into a program like Change it Up, where your debit card purchases are rounded up to the nearest dollar and added to a savings account dedicated to your goals.