With summer gone, autumn here, and winter soon to come, now is as great a time as any to bring out the piggy bank and begin filling it up with all the spare change you have left from your summer thrills. Before you know it, you will find yourself compiling a list of ingredients needed to make that savory green bean casserole for Thanksgiving or browsing store aisles with colorful candy canes and snowy Christmas trees on display. In order to be able to indulge in the upcoming holiday celebrations, you should start saving what you can now. Below you will find some simple tips to keep your wallet full and your heart happy.

Go one week without spending.

It is easy not to notice how often you are going out and buying those on-the-go coffee drinks and those late night move tickets. It is also convenient to go grocery shopping each time you run out of your favorite foods that satisfy your daily cravings, but these type of expenses add up, especially if mindlessly bought. You might have already spent enough money on groceries earlier in the week, but because of that last-minute invitation to grab a bite with a friend, the amount of money you have continues to diminish. Instead of losing cash on a weekly basis, make it an intention to not spend any money for at least one whole week each month. That week free of spending will definitely help you save those few dollars you might have spent on something you did not really need.

Cash your paycheck a few days after you get it.

When your paycheck comes, refrain from immediately cashing it in. Give yourself at least three days before doing so, so that you’re not inclined to impulsively buying whatever it is you have been eying that is on sale. This will allow you to really think things through and consider whether those new shoes are really worth the buy. Once you do cash your paycheck in, set aside at least 10 dollars from each one. This will allow you to cumulate money that you might have spent elsewhere without realizing it, thus keeping your money from gradually lessening.

Plan your meals.

Planning your meals is a great way to get creative with the items already in your pantry and actually make use of them before deciding to buy snacks or a shake to satisfy your taste buds when you are out-and-about. If you meal prep dinner at least once a week by utilizing that handy crockpot of yours and that trusty microwave, you will be sure to have extra cash for your next grocery hail. Cook up a big meal on Sunday including foods like rice, beans, potatoes, and steamed veggies. Once you have a large amount, set out five plastic containers, and fill each of them with a mixture of the foods you cooked. This will also save you time and worry about not knowing what to have for dinner. You’ll come to realize that meal prepping saves you money because you will no longer feel the need to spend your money on quick and easy to-go snacks on a daily basis simply because you had no idea what to eat for dinner.

Unsubscribe from store newsletters.

It is always exciting to know your favorite stores are having sales due to those constant email notifications in your inbox. Marketing teams know exactly how to keep you interested and prompted to buy their latest clothes and tech, but do not give in. Although retail therapy may help you during the stressful end of the year, it is best to get rid of your subscriptions to weekly newsletters, especially if seeing deals on things you love is too hard to ignore. As the saying goes, "Out of sight, out of mind". Help yourself save money in the long run by removing temptations to shop.

Take advantage of free events in your city!

This time of the year has everyone excited to spread a little love and merriment in your communities. Hence, there will be various concerts, shows, festivals, and events that will be free to the public so that everyone can enjoy themselves. If you want to be able to take part in the holiday celebrations while conserving the money you have, research free seasonal events and begin making a list of each that you find appealing. Your friends and family will no doubt love to save a little alongside you while still being able to have a blast!