As the leaves turn from green to vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges, and the temperature drops below 80 degrees, you know what time of year it is: apple cider doughnuts, pumpkin picking, long walks, and bonfires. Summer is rapidly coming to an end and although we will miss sunny beach days, we are excited for the cooler weather that’s approaching.
Fall might look a little bit different this year due to social distancing, but that doesn’t mean we can’t safely enjoy the fun fall activities that we all love! Here are a few fun, frugal, and safe fall activities for you and your friends to participate in!
Invest in a slow cooker
A slow cooker is a great way to cook in the colder months. There are endless types of cuisines that can be prepared in a slow cooker, and many that appeal to all diets: vegan, vegetarian, paleo, etc. Keep an eye out for the many Labor Day sales this weekend, and consider adding slow cooker recipes into your weekly dinner rotation!
Visit your local farmer’s market
Visiting your local farmer’s market is a wonderful activity for so many reasons. Farmer’s markets are the perfect way to start your Saturday or Sunday (or any day of the week!) off on a great note. Shopping at farmer’s markets can also help stimulate the local economy and at the same time provide you with fresh produce, cheeses, baked goods, and possibly even meat & fish. Wondering where the nearest farmers market is to you? There are plenty of resources available online to help you figure this out! Check out the USDA National Food Market Directory or Local Harvest to start.
Apple picking and pumpkin picking
If you’re eager to drive somewhere new, apple picking or pumpkin picking is the perfect fall activity that is also very covid-safe. Pack your mask and head out to a farm near you to pick fresh fruit, and bring home some pumpkins to carve!
Clean out your closet
Nothing feels better than cleaning and organizing your closet. Getting rid of clothes you no longer wear is also a great way to bring in a little bit of extra cash. Check out sites like ThredUp and Poshmark to sell your unused or no longer wanted clothing. We promise you will feel accomplished with a lighter, cleaner, closet!
Plan your holiday shopping
Here at the Financial Gym Advisors we like to plan in advance, especially if it will save you some money down the line! We are not saying that you should go out and buy all of your holiday gifts right now, but rather take a moment to answer the following questions and start to plan out a budget for yourself!
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Who do I have to buy holiday gifts for this year?
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How much do I need to spend on each person?
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Do I have any gift swaps I will be involved in?
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How much will holiday cards cost me? Postage?
Vote
Last but (definitely!) not least, get out and vote. This year’s election takes place on Tuesday, November 3rd. If you are planning on voting in person, make sure you know your polling location and the ballot ahead of time. If you are planning to mail in your ballot, make sure you do so in advance so that the post office has plenty of time to make sure your ballot gets where it needs to go in a timely manner. If you are unsure if you’re registered, where you can vote, or where you can request a mail-in ballot, check out the USA Gov website for more information.
