Happy Hauntings, friends!
Has anyone else noticed that the days are getting shorter?
On average, we lose two hours of daylight in November 😱, which means sayonara to outdoor activities & hello to an 8 p.m. bedtime.
Thankfully, more indoor time means we have a spare chance to work on our budget!
The holidays are almost here, so if we crack down & get this done now, we can appreciate the season more & fully relax knowing we have a plan.
What to Include in November’s Spending Plan 📝
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Groceries. 🛒 Sure, groceries are always an expense! This time of year, however, it can be extra costly $$$. Plan out the meals that you’re hosting or the potlucks you’re contributing to so that when the end of the month comes, your grocery line item isn’t fire-engine red.
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Travel. 🗺️ Are you driving or flying this month? Beyond the obvious gas & ticket prices, it’s a good idea to plan for hotel stays, activities, & all the mini shampoo bottles you need.
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Gifts. 🎁 Gift-giving is an amazing way to show love, but it’s too easy to get carried away this season. With Black Friday & Cyber Monday coming up, try to make a plan for which deals to splurge for rather than clicking “add to cart” for every $100 vacuum you see.
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Charity. 💝 Giving Tuesday is coming up soon! Where can you allocate your dollar to make the most impact on the organizations that you care about?
What’s on Sale in November 📢
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Electronics. Looking for a new laptop, headphones, or an e-reader? This is the time of year to order one! Take advantage of the cyber deals to replace your old equipment, & make sure to properly recycle old electronics by following your State’s collection & recycling guidelines.
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Jewelry & Perfume. We love simple luxuries, like a new necklace or a signature scent. If your bottle of perfume from last year is running low, tis the season to try something new!
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Winterization. For those living in a cooler climate, it’s especially important to start winterizing now. We’re talking snow tires & de-icer in your car, & insulating pipes and caulking windows at home.
November’s Big Money Move 📝
Start Your Summer Travel Hacking Plan
It might seem early, but travel hacking is a complicated process that takes time!
It’s best to form a solid plan and outline the steps that it will take to get there before next May so that you can spend your summer in island bliss🌴
Follow our favorite actionable tips below:
1. Decide your goals. 🌟 There are lots of travel hacking options. You could become a frequent flier with a specific airline, or get a hotel credit card, or simply get a card with travel benefits. Your ultimate travel goal will help you narrow down where you should focus your energy and dollars to get the ultimate bang for your buck.
2. Do your research. 🔎 Once you know your goal, it’s important to look into what path aligns with your values. Many cards offer great rewards but have a large minimum spend or yearly fee. Others have specific qualifying purchases (like rewards for buying groceries or gas, but not electronics). Determining what’s right for you is an important step on your path to travel hacking.
3. Determine your minimum spend… and save that amount. 💰 Most companies require you to spend a minimum amount to get a certain amount of points. It’s important that we save the money upfront so that we don’t carry a balance on our cards. It’s not worth the points if we’re buried in credit card interest after!
What to Cook 👩🍳
Looking for a light salad with a seasonal spin? Try this beet, arugula, & feta salad from Cookie + Kate. 🥗
Is it November if we don’t recommend a mashed potato recipe? The Pioneer Woman’s mashed potatoes are to die for and will have all the aunties wondering how you pulled something so delish off at Thanksgiving. 🥔
Are there any executive dysfunction girlies out there? Then Tuesday’s episode is for you! Tune in to: What if You’re Not Lazy, What if You’re a Perfectionist? with Monica Packer (Ep 452).
Today’s episode: What Diet Culture is Costing You (Ep 453) is a rerun of one of our most popular episodes. Jen and Jill tackle the financial burdens of keeping up with the system with a pinch of humor that we all love.
Tune in wherever you get podcasts and let us know what you thought of the episode over on our latest Instagram post!
Sincerely,
Kim
⭐️⭐️ P.S. Want to share all this goodness with your friends AND earn cool Frugal Friends merch?
**Means this is a sponsored or affiliate section. We may earn a small fee or commission when you choose to try one of our sponsor or affiliate partners. But opinions are still 1000% our own.
