November Budget Reminders
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The new month is just around the corner – get your budgets prepped with these November Budget Reminders!
This post was originally published October 29, 2019. It has been updated for Covid considerations.
Food
In Canada, Thanksgiving is in October, which means that as I type this, I am only four days from feasting! The big turkey dinner, shared with my favourite humans, is a highlight of my whole year!! And, knowing I get to do it again at Christmas? Yes, please!
Your Thanksgiving feast might still be ahead. And either way, through the next few months, there are bigger meals and generally more socializing. Plus, don’t forget about the cost of all the Christmas baking you are planning. If this sounds like you, give your food budget a bit of a boost to make sure you are covered for the delicious months ahead!
Increased Utility Costs
Depending on where you live, the temperatures have probably started to dip. With the colder weather comes the need for a warmer home, and that means the furnace and fireplace are busy at this time of year.
I love the summer months when my energy costs go way down, but now that winter is around the corner, make sure you bump up your budget to make up for the extra warmth!
Holiday Travel
If you have a 4-hour drive or a 10-hour flight on the horizon, make sure you plan accordingly. Road snacks, gas costs, and hotels when Aunt Betty’s gets to be too crazy?
The holiday season will be far less stressful if you build the travel costs into your budget early!
Travel might not be a possibility this year. Think about what Christmas 2020 looks like in your home and budget accordingly!
Giving
‘Tis the season!
I have ‘giving’ in my budget all year long. In fact, I have a donation set to auto-withdraw from my account so that I never forget!
BUT – we’ll certainly add to that by sponsoring local families and supporting our foodbank during the holidays. Build the gift of giving into your budget this holiday season. Our communities need more support than ever.
If your budget is tight, or you are working hard towards your goal right now, remember that giving doesn’t have to cost a thing. You can give of your time as well – visiting with seniors, serving food at a shelter, or helping sort donations at the food bank. Get creative! KINDNESS is key, and kindness doesn’t have to be expensive!
Sale Season
Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday. They are around the corner. I don’t like to promote the commercialism of the season, but. If you are going to shop, you may as well get stuff on sale.
That doesn’t mean get in a fist-fight over the last $12 flat-screen TV. But it does mean being aware that the gifts you are planning to buy may go on sale. Or even better, you can plan to shop locally and support small businesses in your community!
Christmas Decor
Every year, on December 29th, as we carefully put the decorations away for another eleven-month hibernation, I tell my husband that we definitely do not need any more decor for next year. And then… every year at the end of November I see this year’s selection of beautiful bits and bobbles, and I’m sucked right in.
Reminder: you are not Martha Stewart, and you do not need to redo your decor every year to reach some unattainable gold standard. AND – in my opinion – less is more. (Okay, as I type this, I can see FIVE pumpkins, so maybe I need to heed my own advice??)
Either way. If you are in the market for new tinsel, make sure you add it to the old budget before you shop!
Sinking Funds
Just a friendly reminder to make sure you are using sinking funds to save for future expenses. Heading on a Spring Break vacation? Set money aside every month. Drive a car? Saving a bit of money each month allows you to deal with unexpected repair bills, WITHOUT turning to debt.
Learn more about Sinking Funds now!
Wrap Up
These quick November budget reminders are not designed as a list of things you have to spend money on. So please don’t read them and think to yourself “She said I need to save money for Christmas Decor, so I better add that to my budget even though I wasn’t planning on buying any!” These are merely suggestions, things you might need in your budget each month. Be intentional with your money plan as you Reach for more with your life!
