What Bills Do People Worry the Most About in September?

Are you among the many Illinoisans stretching their dollars to make them last until winter? Midwesterners tend to treat the end of summer/beginning of fall the way squirrels store nuts. Except for us they’re smart budgeting techniques and more ways to save that we are storing mentally, not in a tree.

Not everyone follows the same spending patterns. Nor is every person on identical timelines, but there are certain bills that folks stress about the most this time of year. Anticipating them asap will make you feel more in control and help prevent overspending.

Explore ways to spend less on your children’s lunch and dinner this year.

New Clothing and Educational Expenses

These two categories are combined because, for many families with young children, new clothes and decent shoes are a must. Some winter clothing can wait, and ideally the kiddos haven’t outgrown everything from last year, but sometimes it’s easier to get these shopping tasks over with at once.

Even public school-associated costs can be daunting. A recent article reviewed the expenses of a Texas family that spent over $13,000 on extracurricular costs alone. Despite their two school-aged kids going to public schools, their other beginning-of-school-year expenditures – including shoes, clothing, paper, pens, and a host of other supplies – surpassed $1,600.

Fortunately, there are many ways to lower the final tab if you plan accordingly.

Bus and Train Fares

One additional expense that can also arrive with fall is transportation for kids taking the bus or subway to school. Even reserving a parking spot at school can cost hundreds! When the anticipation of educational expenses is overwhelming, start looking into cheaper alternatives. If financial assistance is available for bus or train fare, why not take advantage as soon as possible?

Keep it simple. Pick up your Ventra cards at a nearby CCEA Currency Exchange, and ask about discounts for students or other consumer groups.

Read here about how some Illinois parents are saving money on school supplies.

Home and Auto Maintenance

Similarly to the clothing/school supplies combo, the start of the school year puts families in the mind of maintenance – especially if you’re going to be carting kids to classes, soccer practice or school events. And why not get it done before the first frost lands on the leaves. Common routine maintenance most folks will face include:

• Oil changes
• Car repairs
• Routine auto checkups
• HVAC checkups
• Exterior home repairs
• For renters: changing lightbulbs, spackling, caulking and cleaning

People who don’t drive or own their home still prepare for the cold before it arrives. Updating your outdoor winter wardrobe with new gloves, boots or jackets adds up, too.

Also budget for some family fun. Check out our money-saving tips on your upcoming vacation.

Changes in Utility Bills

There is a silver lining to the end of summer: cooler, temperate weather and the lower AC costs that come with it! If you’ve had to shell out big bucks to cool your home over the summer, September can bring a sigh of relief.

But keep in mind that much colder temperatures (and more filter changes) are a couple of months away. That’s what makes early autumn such a breath of fresh air. It’s the ideal time to take stock of where you’ve been and what lies ahead.

CCEA Currency Exchanges: Long Hours in Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer

The days may be getting shorter, but CCEA Currency Exchange store hours are always long and convenient. We know local residents feel pressure to pay their bills on time. That’s why we offer convenient hours for check cashing and other services, as well as a utility and phone bill payment system so you don’t miss any payment deadlines.

Want to know more about us? Find out about CCEA’s interesting local history here.

Contact your nearest CCEA location any time with questions about our helpful money services!