September always comes with mixed emotions: the end of summer, the return to routine, and, for many families, the challenge of facing the dreaded “September slope.” Between tuition fees, school supplies, new clothes, and the aftermath of holiday spending, this month can test any budget.

The good news is that with a bit of planning, organization, and small savings habits, you can start the season with greater peace of mind.

Practical Tips to Save in September

1. Create a realistic budget
Split your expenses into fixed (rent, utilities, school fees) and variable (entertainment, dining out) and watch out for “invisible expenses.” Set clear priorities and avoid impulse purchases.

2. Review and renegotiate big payments
Local councils often offer interest-free installment plans for municipal taxes. Taking advantage of them can give you short-term breathing room.

3. Take inventory and reuse what you already have
Before buying school supplies, clothes, or gadgets, check last year’s items. You can often reuse more than you think.

4. Second-hand and swapping
Apps, exchange groups, and online marketplaces are great for finding books, uniforms, or even furniture in good condition at a lower price.

5. Compare and take advantage of deals
Spend some time comparing prices online and in-store. End-of-summer sales in late August and early September are perfect for cutting costs.

6. Prioritize the essentials
Housing, food, transport, and education should always come first. Avoid financing with revolving credit cards—interest rates can exceed 20% APR.

7. Adjust summer excesses
Check your statements and spot unnecessary expenses. September is the right time to reset your spending habits.

How to Recover from Summer Spending

If the holidays left your savings a little tight, September is the ideal time to reorganize your finances. Adjust your budget, set a monthly savings goal, and use financial tracking tools to start autumn with more confidence.

Treat September as a New Financial Year

September is the perfect month to reset your finances and set new goals, almost like a “real” New Year’s start. Experts and financial institutions recommend a few concrete steps:

1. Assess your current situation
List all fixed and variable income you’ll receive this month (salary, rental income, side jobs) and compare it with your summer expenses. Categorize them into essentials (housing, food, education) and non-essentials (subscriptions, entertainment, impulse purchases).

2. Define goals and priorities
Clear goals keep you on track. They could be paying off debt, starting to save, or cutting back on specific expenses. The more concrete and measurable, the better—for example, “save 10% of my monthly income” or “cut entertainment spending by 20%.”

3. Make a realistic forecast
Calculate the income you’re sure to receive and factor in possible extra expenses (school supplies, tuition fees, renewals). Always add a small buffer for unexpected costs, and put essentials first.

4. Build a detailed budget
Use a spreadsheet or a personal finance app to organize your expenses by category: housing, transport, food, education, leisure… and set a limit for each. The key is sticking to it all month long.

5. Adjust and track continuously
Budgets are useless if you don’t review them. Check weekly or biweekly, and adjust if one category goes over. Frequent tracking helps avoid big deviations and lets you correct on time.

Extra Tools and Tips

• Use financial tracking apps like Holded, Facturas Cloud, or Keyandcloud to easily create and monitor budgets.
• Review your contracted services and compare alternatives—many times you can save by switching plans or canceling unused services.
• Watch out for “invisible expenses”: forgotten subscriptions, micro-purchases, or automatic charges. Canceling them can free up meaningful savings.
• Boost your savings with financial tools like Rand (explained below).

A Boost for Your Peace of Mind: Rand

Rand turns September’s financial challenge into an opportunity:

• Earn Account: Up to 6.5% APY, with daily returns and full access to your money whenever you need it.
• Automated saving: Schedule automatic transfers and ensure part of your income is always set aside.
• Loyalty bonus: The longer you keep your funds, the higher your returns.
• Security and trust: Registered in Spain, with its own IBAN and insured custodians.
• No hidden fees: Accounts tailored to each user (Current, Earn, Prize) with no added costs.

👉 The key is not letting September’s expenses catch you off guard. With planning, small changes, and tools that multiply your efforts, this month can be the start of more consistent and solid savings.

Want to know more? Download the Rand app for free and start managing your money today: deposit, transfer, and save at zero cost.
‍