Frugal Fall

The change of seasons is a great time for reevaluation and a fresh perspective.  Here are some frugal fall ideas to help you prepare for the cooler weather, increased family time, and traditional autumn holidays: Halloween and Thanksgiving.

- Transition out your light summer clothes and put in your warm and cozy clothes. While you're at it, see if there's anything you no longer like that you can donate, then treat yourself to an inexpensive outfit.
- Rearrange your furniture.  Pull sofas and chairs together on rugs for better conversation and a cozier atmosphere, then vacuum up those dust bunnies while you’re at it.
- Bring the outdoors in.  As leaves, acorns, and seed pods fall from the trees, bring in the best specimens and arrange them on your dining table, mantel, on top of doorways and picture frames.  It’s seasonal décor for free.
- Rotate and inflate your tires. Winter rain and snow can make the roads hazardous; having properly outfitted tires can help keep you safe.  As a bonus, properly inflated tires save on gas.
- Get your HVAC inspected. Make sure all your air filters are clean, your heater is working at its most efficient, and there are no dangerous fire hazards.  This saves you money and time.  Put on your favorite sweater and socks and see how long you can resist turning it on.
- Frugal Halloween: organize a neighborhood costume swap.  Everyone brings their kids' too-small costumes and exchanges them for "new" ones.  If you hustle, you’ll also find that we’ve got some inexpensive and spooky Halloween costumes and decorations at Grocery Outlet.
- Make your neighbors "Boo Baskets": fill up a basket with Halloween candy (we've got a bunch!), small pumpkins, popcorn, apples and so on, and leave it on their doorstep.

Have a spookily spectacular season!