Fall Into Financial Wellness: Get ahead before the year ends.

Shorter days and colorful leaves? Fall is here. Many households find their financial lives getting busier at this time of year—and often more expensive. Holiday shopping, year-end bills, property taxes, and even unexpected home repairs can make the fall season stressful if you are not prepared. All this activity also makes fall the perfect time to step back and re-evaluate your financial goals before the new year begins. Here are three key areas to focus on so you can head into winter with financial confidence.

The holidays are supposed to be joyful, but they can become a financial burden if your spending goes unchecked. It is easy to underestimate how much the cost of travel, gifts, and seasonal entertainment can add up. A little planning ahead can ensure the season brings more smiles than stress.

Tips to prepare:

• Build a holiday budget now. List all expected expenses—gifts, travel, decorations, dining—and set limits for each.
• Automate savings. Redirect a portion of each paycheck this fall into a “holiday fund” account so you’re spending money you’ve already set aside.
• Shop smarter. Take advantage of seasonal promotions, credit card rewards, and discounts from local merchants to stretch your dollars further.
• Track as you go. Use mobile banking apps to monitor your spending in real time and avoid overshooting your budget.

By planning early, you can reduce (and even avoid) creating post-holiday credit card debt—a common financial setback that make January feel like anything but a fresh start.

The crisp fall air also brings hidden costs. In the DMV area, fluctuating temperatures and early winter storms can create urgent and expensive home repairs. Roof leaks, gutter blockages, and heating system failures often catch households off guard.

Ways to stay prepared:

• Schedule preventative maintenance. Have your HVAC, fireplace, and roof inspected before winter weather sets in. Spending a few hundred dollars now can save you thousands later.
• Set aside an emergency fund. Aim for at least three to six months of expenses in a liquid savings account to manage sudden issues like car breakdowns or storm damage.
• Review insurance coverage. Make sure your homeowners and auto policies are up to date, with deductibles you can comfortably cover.
• Plan for seasonal costs. Increased heating bills, snow removal, and higher grocery prices during the winter months can all strain your budget if not anticipated.

Taking the initiative when it comes to preventative home maintenance not only saves money, it also helps protect the value of your largest assets.

Fall is also the perfect time to revisit your bigger financial picture. Bonuses, raises, or promotions may be on the horizon —or, given today’s economic conditions, maybe not. Either way, now is the right time to align your goals with the realities of your household income and expenses.

Consider these strategies:

• Review your retirement savings. Maximize contributions to 401(k)s, IRAs, and other tax-advantaged accounts before year-end.
• Assess debt payoff progress. Rising interest rates make high-rate credit card or loan balances especially costly.
• Revisit investment allocations. Ensure your portfolio still matches your risk tolerance, particularly as markets respond to inflation and economic uncertainty.
• Update short-term goals. Whether it’s college savings, a new home, or travel plans, refine your timelines and funding strategies now.
• Check in on tax planning. Consult your advisor about charitable contributions, tax strategies, and other year-end decisions that may lower your tax liability.

This kind of year-end review creates a clear financial roadmap as you head into January—and can help you adapt and prepare for new opportunities and challenges in the economy.