Download Best Money Moves for Fall and Winter Autumn brings fragrant cider

Best Money Moves for Fall and Winter
Autumn brings fragrant cider, pumpkins and nights that hold a delicious chill. It’s also a great
time to start getting ahead financially. Here are some of the best money moves for the cooler
seasons.
Winterize your home
Whether you rent or own, preparing your home for winter saves big bucks. Even in milder
climates, winter nights often get cold enough to crank up the thermostat, which can become a
major expense. To manage costs, consider installing thermal windows and upgrading home
insulation. If replacing windows isn’t an option, weather stripping, caulk and insulated shades or
blinds still make a real difference in utility bills.
You’ll save further by remembering to change heating system filters and by having your furnace
inspected and cleaned before the heating season. Installing a programmable thermostat so that
the furnace runs only as needed also reduces costs. In addition, be sure to clean gutters and
inspect your roof. If cash for home projects is in short supply, financial institutions such as
Cosden Federal Credit Union offer both secured and unsecured financing with competitive
rates.
Save for the holidays
The winter holidays will be here faster than you think. Planning ahead lets you enjoy this special
time rather than stressing about costs and racking up credit card debt. Begin by totaling
expected holiday expenses, including gifts, decorations, cards, wrapping paper and parties.
Divide this target sum by the number of weeks remaining until the holidays, and commit to
putting that amount or slightly more into savings each week. Opening a separate savings
account for this purpose makes it easy to track progress while protecting holiday savings from
accidentally being spent elsewhere.
Take advantage of health insurance open enrollment
Today’s health insurance decisions will strongly affect next year’s health care costs. Most
employers have their annual open enrollment for health coverage sometime in the fall, with new
coverage beginning in January. Compare options carefully to pick the plan that best suits your
needs, and think about setting up a flexible spending account to make the most of selected
benefits.
Those who are self-employed or don’t receive health insurance at work can purchase coverage
through the Health Insurance Marketplace during its open enrollment period of November 1,
2015, through January 31, 2016. Some important Marketplace dates to remember include:
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November 1, 2015: First day of open enrollment.
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December 15, 2015: Last day to enroll for coverage effective on January 1, 2016.
January 15, 2016: Last day to enroll for coverage effective on February 1, 2016.
January 31, 2016: Last day of open enrollment.
The above deadlines don’t apply to Medicaid, CHIP for children and SHOP for small
businesses; if you qualify for these programs, you may apply at any time.
Combat cabin fever
Winter boredom often sparks a temptation to spend, just for something to do. Unfortunately,
extra mall trips, restaurant meals and other little luxuries really add up. Avoid this issue by
planning free and inexpensive entertainment for the whole family ahead of time. Check out
scheduled programs at local libraries, community centers and houses of worship, and keep a
supply of craft materials, games, puzzles, books and DVDs handy.
Wise fall and winter money moves will likely carry over into the New Year and beyond. You’ll
enjoy more cash in your pocket, cozy family fun, and peace of mind knowing your health, home
and finances are all secure.
Roberta Pescow, NerdWallet
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