Fall is officially here, although it may not seem like it with 80-degree weather and palm trees instead of falling leaves.

Growing up in the mountains of Virginia, the arrival of fall was always seen and felt. It didn't take much to really get into the fall spirit. However, when I moved to the beach, I found that embracing the fall season required more effort on my end.

Since there isn't a major transition in the environment around me to help get me excited about fall, I've relied on the following things to get me in the spirit.

Every year when the kids head back to school, and the weather gets cooler, the south gets ready for their favorite season of the year, football season. Sports have become such an integral part of our society that I feel like our seasons of the year revolve around them; Football Season, Basketball Season, Baseball Season and Summer.

With sports playing such a huge role in people's lives, they tend to start their children in youth leagues as early as possible and fill their nights and weekends with sporting events from that time on. According to the National Council on Youth Sports, parents spend an average of $671 per year on youth sports, with 20%of parents spending over $1,000 or more per year—on each child!

The good news is parents have options when it comes to sports-related spending. Check out the BALANCE blog post below for tips on how to balance the family sports budget:

Nothing quite relieves stress after a long day of work, like retail therapy. Or, if you're like me, you may even be guilty of stopping by Target or TJ Maxx during your lunch break for a quick browse.

If that sounds familiar or you look forward to the feeling of serotonin kicking in when you swipe that card and helping you forget all the exterior things weighing you down, then you may be emotional spending.

As satisfying and stress-relieving as it may be, emotional spending can quickly get you into trouble if left unchecked. In a time where "treating yourself" is more popular than being fiscally responsible, it's easy to get off budget and buy things you don't need. If emotional spending is leading you astray, use the tips in the BALANCE blog below to help you regain control.

This Saturday, the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers will kick off their 2022 football season. As an alumnus of the university and a huge college football fan, I've been waiting for this moment since our last season ended.

The start of the new school year can be exciting for kids. They get a new teacher, start seeing their friends again daily, and get all new clothes and supplies. However, beginning a new school year is also a big change and may require a bit of an adjustment period.

With school back in session, it can be easy to get off track on your budget with the additional cost of school lunch and on-the-go breakfast and dinners. A great way to save money and start a good back-to-school routine is to make your meals at home.

Check out the BALANCE blog post below for six ways to save on homemade meals.

Want to plan the perfect date night without breaking the bank? Check out the BALANCE blog post below for a few great ideas.

When you and your partner are focusing on paying down debt, it’s easy to put relationship fun on hold. After all, dining out is a sure-fire way to blow the budget. Expensive vacations? Entirely out of the question!

But you can still keep the spark alive with regular date nights, even on a budget.

First, schedule the time into the calendar. Often, busy couples find that if it doesn’t get scheduled, it doesn’t happen. If you have young children, consider coordinating with another family to swap babysitting duties. This way, each set of parents gets an evening out without paying for a babysitter.

Now that you’ve got the date set and the sitter lined up, here are some frugal date night ideas so you and your partner can make great memories without spending much money.

Go on a hike

A hike (or a leisurely walk) in a beautiful location is a great way to spend some distraction-free time with your spouse. Enjoy the scenery, get some fresh air, and get your blood pumping. Websites like AllTrails and Outdoor Project are good free resources for local hikes.

Play Tourist

If a friend or family member was coming to visit your city, where would you take them? Often, the most impressive or entertaining spots get overlooked by locals. Pretend you’re just visiting the area and hit up some of the top tourist destinations and local landmarks. The local Chamber of Commerce is an excellent resource for inspiration.

Star Gazing

You don’t need a telescope to take your honey stargazing! It’s best to choose a night when you’ll have clear skies and a new moon. Pack up a blanket and some snacks and head out of town to a place with dark skies and little light pollution. Spread out the blanket, look up at the stars, and bask in the awe of a starry sky.

Eat Cake

If you miss going out to restaurants while you’re tightening the budget, you can get that restaurant enjoyment without having a full sit-down meal. Coffee and dessert at your favorite restaurant still feel like a splurge. Who said you can’t have your cake and eat it, too?

Have a Picnic

A picnic doesn’t have to be a fancy (read: expensive) affair. A lunch sack will do just fine if you don’t have a dedicated picnic basket. Cheese, crackers, fruit, and your favorite drinks require almost no prep and taste even better at a local park or wilderness area.

Visit a Farmers Market

You might be amazed at how much is happening at your local farmer’s market! Of course, you’ll find farmers selling their freshly grown produce, but there’s likely also baked goods, meat and eggs, crafts (like handmade candles and soap), and ready-to-eat food. Wandering around the farmer’s market is a great way to spend a few frugal hours. You might even come home with local produce and inspiration to try a new recipe.

Hit up the Yard Sales

If you like the thrill of the hunt, it’s worth getting up early on a Saturday morning and hitting the yard sale circuit. Decide how much money you’re willing to spend ahead of time and bring it in small bills. This helps to ensure you stay within your budget. You never know what you might find at a yard sale—and sometimes you’ll come home empty-handed! Not knowing is all part of the fun.

Gather Fruit

Nearby orchards or berry farms can make for great frugal dates. The “u-pick” fruit farms are typically less expensive and tastier than the comparable fruit at the grocery store, and you get to spend some quality time outside with your partner. Make sure to research the right time to go for ripe fruit and bring some containers from home.

Wrapping it Up

Date nights are so important in relationships. Time to talk without the day-to-day stressors and sharing new experiences help keep the romance alive. These things don’t have to be expensive. Keep your budget on track with frugal date nights and watch your relationship and savings account grow.

With the start of a new school year right around the corner, it's time to start filling the cart with back-to-school items. If the rows and rows of school supplies at Walmart and Target haven't already sucked you in, then Tax-Free Weekend is the perfect time to grab some of the key items on your list.

Living in an area that experiences hurricane season for six months out of the year, we need to be prepared. A great way to do a bit of pre-planning so that you're not panicking when a hurricane is on its way is to put together a Hurricane Preparedness Kit. 

I don't know about you, but I feel like summer is easily my biggest spending season of the year. I've finally re-saved money that I spent during the holidays and get the urge to spend it, and boy do I. I spend on new summer clothes, fun outdoor events, travel, and vacation; I'm just a spending machine during the summer months.

If you're like me and are looking to boost your summer stash of cash, check out the BALANCE blog below for a few helpful tips.