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Updated 10/21/24
8 Common November Budget Categories
As the crisp autumn leaves start to fall and the holiday season approaches, it’s time to prepare for the upcoming month with a November budget that ensures a smooth and stress-free transition. November is a pivotal month that sets the stage for year-end expenses and festivities.
In this blog post, we’ll explore eight essential elements of your November budget that you definitely don’t want to forget. Whether you’re planning for Thanksgiving feasts, Black Friday deals, or simply bracing for the chilly weather, these budgeting tips will help you stay on track and make the most of your finances during this bustling month.
1. Thanksgiving
When planning for Thanksgiving in your November budget, consider the cost of food, especially if you’re hosting. Account for the cost of a turkey, sides, desserts, and any special ingredients for family recipes.
Don’t forget to budget for decorations, travel expenses if you’re visiting family, or even extra seating and tableware if you’re hosting.
To save money, start shopping early to take advantage of grocery store sales, use store loyalty programs, and consider a potluck to share the cost of the meal with guests.
Using cash back sites like Rakuten when shopping can help you save money on food, decorations and travel.
2. Black Friday and Cyber Monday Sales
Do you enjoy an early morning Black Friday shopping or cozy up on the couch Cyber Monday shopping?
I have never gone out on Black Friday for one reason…
Crazy Crowds.!
So I am all about Cyber Monday. It’s more time efficient and there are no crowds. I also love supporting local companies for Small Business Saturday.
Now all the sales pretty much blend in together and go on for several days. So do your research on where you can find the best deal and don’t forget the Christmas budget!
3. Christmas Planner
And speaking of all things Christmas…stay organized and on budget with my Christmas Planner!
It’s a beautiful printable that includes budgeting sheets, gift tracker, undated November and December monthly calendars, menu planner, grocery lists and fun bucket lists so you can keep track of all the fun festivities. The Christmas Planner is undated so you can use it each year.
4. Travel
If you are traveling for Thanksgiving or Christmas (or both), plan for the extra costs for fuel, food, accommodations or plane tickets. Traveling on the less popular days will be cheaper if you are flying.
5. Higher Utility Bills
As the weather is cooling down the furnace is probably in full force. The higher costs of electricity, gas and propane don’t help.
To save a little on your utility bills, lower the temperature a little. Even a degree or 2 can help that utility bill.
If you have a digital thermostat you can probably set it so it has a lower temperature during different times of the day. No need to keep the house at 70 every day if nobody is home during the workday. It’s also good to keep the house a little cooler at night, it suppose to help you sleep!
6. Winter Gear
Time to pull out the winter coats and hats. Luckily I think we have plenty of coats and hats that still fit the kids but I’m sure the pile of snow boots are probably too small for them.
To save money on winter gear look at consignment shops or ask some friends if they have any their kids grew out of. I love second hand kids clothing for this type of stuff! Winter gear can be expensive and they grow out of it so fast.
7. Charity
More charitable opportunities pop up this time of year to help families that are in need of food or winter clothing. If helping your local food bank is important to you, include that in your budget as well.
It doesn’t even have to be a lot. Our local radio station does a Stuff the Truck campaign every year with the grocery store. Just grabbing a few extra canned goods while you’re shopping can help food drives for needy families in your area.
8. Entertainment
Fall is a great time of a variety of entertainment, from fall activities to upcoming Christmas celebrations.
Looking for some indoor entertainment this month? If you have kids then you might want to check out Moana 2, which will be released on Wednesday, November 24, 2024. Here’s a list of other movies that will be released in November 2024.
Planning Your November Budget
As you prepare your November budget, don’t forget to account for these often-overlooked expenses to stay on top of your financial goals. Planning ahead for things like Thanksgiving, winter prep, and seasonal activities can make a big difference in reducing stress and avoiding last-minute spending.
By making mindful decisions now, you’ll set yourself up for a smoother transition into the holiday season. For more help managing your finances, download my free Financial Wellness Checklist to ensure you’re covering all the important areas and staying on track toward financial freedom!
Related articles to help you with your budget
Make a Budget: 5 Simple Steps to Get Started
6 Tips on How to Avoid Overspending at Christmas
Get Paid to Shop: Boost Your Savings with Rakuten Cash Back
Organize Your Money with These Common Budget Categories
