With Black Friday and the holidays around the corner, it’s easy to get caught up in the spending frenzy. Between gift shopping, travel, and festive plans, your wallet can take a serious hit.

This year, let’s do things differently. With some smart planning now, you can snag great deals, handle holiday expenses, and start the new year stress-free. Here’s how to stay on track and make this season your most budget-friendly yet!

Review your current spending habits
Before making any changes, you must know where your money is going. Track all your expenses for a week or two. You can use a good old-fashioned notebook or popular apps like YNAB or Quicken Simplifi.

Track everything, from rent to random odds and ends. You'll quickly see where your cash is slipping away, whether on streaming services, takeout, or late-night snacks.

Look for areas to cut back, like unused subscriptions, eating out, and daily coffees. These small changes can lead to big savings.

Make your money work for you
Once you know where your money is going, it's time to make it work for you.

Think about what you want to accomplish before the end of the year. Do you want to save for holiday gifts? Build an emergency fund? Or pay off some debt? 

Having a clear goal gives you (and your money) direction and purpose. Break your goal down into smaller, achievable steps. 

For example, to save $500 by December, you must set aside about $40 a week. It feels much more doable when you break it down like this.

Create a budget
Now that you know your spending and goals, creating a fall-specific budget is time. This should consider your fixed expenses (like rent, groceries, and utilities) and your flexible spending (like entertainment, clothes, and going out).

A solid rule to follow is the 50/30/20 rule:

50% for needs (rent, bills, groceries)
30% for wants (fun, eating out, hobbies)
20% for savings and debt repayment

Since the holidays are coming up, you might want to adjust this and allocate more toward savings or holiday spending.

Plan for holiday expenses early
"The best time to plant a tree was thirty years ago, the second best time is today."

Don't wait until December to start thinking about trips and gifts. Start putting money aside now for gifts, travel, and parties. Even a small amount each week can make a huge dent. 

Make a list of people you want to buy gifts for and set a spending limit for each person. If you know what you're getting early on, you can take advantage of sales and avoid last-minute purchases.

Prep for upcoming bills
Don't let upcoming bills catch you off guard. These next three months are perfect for getting ahead of big bills. 

For example, if you know your car insurance, tuition, or other big payments are due at the end of the year, start setting aside money now so you won't have to scramble later.

Stick to cash or debit
Credit cards can be tempting, but it's easy to rack up debt before realizing it. If you struggle with staying within your budget, use cash or a debit card for non-essential purchases. 

This way, you can only spend what you have and avoid the stress of holiday debt in January.

Keep things simple
Automate your life by setting up an automatic transfer to your savings account every time you get paid. 

Even $20 or $50 every paycheck can add up over time. The best part? You won't even notice it's gone, but you'll love seeing your savings grow.

Take advantage of fall discounts
You may be spending more during fall, but it's an underrated season for saving money. Many retailers offer sales in October and November leading up to Black Friday. 

Look for deals on any gifts you plan to buy or upgrades you've been eyeing, like tech and clothing. If you plan ahead, you can snag holiday gifts or upgrade your wardrobe without busting your budget.

Fall budgeting = holiday freedom
Budgeting for fall doesn't mean giving up everything you love. If you're a little bit savvy with your money and plan ahead, you won't be caught off guard when holiday expenses roll in. 

Start small, track your spending, and make a plan that works for you. By the time the holidays hit, you'll be in control of your finances and ready to enjoy the season stress-free.

- Forte team

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It’s the perfect opportunity to upgrade your scent game or grab a thoughtful gift for someone special. Shop now and get ahead on your holiday shopping while saving big!