I’m a financial expert and five common fall habits can slap $190 a month to your bills and push you into debt

SOME spending habits as the weather cools down could put some consumers in serious debt if they’re not careful.

The turn from summer to autumn is a beloved time of the year for many, with themed merchandise back in full swing.

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A financial expert has warned of five fall spending habits[/caption]

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Seasonal purchases on items like pumpkin spice lattes could add up quick[/caption]

Whether its candles, pumpkin spice lattes, or a wardrobe revamp with warmer clothes, there’s many quick purchases made in fall.

While these small buys may seem harmless at the time, Fred Harrington, CEO of Vetted Prop Firms, told The US Sun that they can add up fairly quickly and put strain on Americans’ wallets.

“People don’t realize how much their ‘comfort spending’ actually costs them until they’re looking at credit card statements in January,” Harrington explained.

“The psychology behind cozy season spending is powerful.”

“We seek comfort and warmth, but often find financial stress instead,” he warned.

Harrington said he typically sees five spending trends among consumers that can be easily avoided, and that are likely costing them hundreds of dollars a month.

One of the top nickel-and-dime slow deaths comes from daily coffee shop or restaurant runs.

With the average pumpkin spice latte costing around $6.50, a daily purchase combined with a seasonal pastry every now and then could lead to $190 or more a month spent on those drink and food items alone, per Harrington.

Additionally, impulse purchases for seasonal fashion could be detrimental to credit scores and savings accounts.

“I see people dropping $200 to $300 monthly on seasonal items they’ll use for maybe eight weeks,” Harrington told us.

“That’s money that could go toward paying down debt or building an emergency fund instead.”

The financial expert noted that social media makes this spending trend worse, with fall outfits and accessories trending on TikTok or Instagram but killing budgets.

DECOR DEBACLE

This also goes for fall decor, with Halloween knick knacks and Thanksgiving-themed homeware adding up fast.

“Seasonal decor is one of the biggest money drains I see,” Harrington emphasized.

“People buy items they’ll store for 11 months of the year, often replacing perfectly good decorations with whatever’s trending.”

Fourth, the financial expert advises consumers to stay away from adding different warmth sources to their home.

Energy bills already increase due to heating costs as the weather gets cooler, so adding any space heaters, heated blankets, or top-of-the-line humidifiers are often not worth the price.

Lastly, Harrington advised consumers to be wary of adding more subscriptions with more time spent indoors during the fall and even in the winter.

This could be streaming, food delivery, magazine, or several other subscriptions.

The costs are small at first (for those who pay monthly) but can add up quickly and just create more unnecessary budget strain.

IT ALL ADDS UP

“These seemingly harmless ‘little luxuries’ create a snowball effect that many people don’t see coming until it’s too late,” Harrington noted of the five trends.

“A $6.50 coffee becomes $195 monthly, seasonal decor adds another $100, and suddenly you’re looking at an extra $400-$500 in monthly spending that wasn’t in your original budget.”

“What makes this particularly dangerous is the emotional component. People justify these purchases as necessary for their mental health or seasonal happiness,” he continued.

“But the financial stress that follows often outweighs any temporary comfort these purchases provide.”

“They key is recognizing that true financial wellness creates more lasting comfort than any seasonal splurge ever could,” Harrington told The US Sun.

“When you’re not worried about money, you can actually enjoy the season instead of dreading the credit card bill that comes after.”

TAKE ACTION

To prevent the spending habits, Harrington recommended that consumers at least set a seasonal spending limit.

They can also find affordable alternatives like home brewing coffee or buying budget-friendly seasonal candles from discount retailers.

It’s also always possible to DIY seasonal treats and decorations.

Of the top tips, however, was the 24-hour rule for Harrington.

“Before any non-essential purchase, wait 24 hours,” the financial expert advised.

“This simple pause often prevents impulse buying and helps you distinguish between wants and needs.”

Retailers like Costco are selling affordable Halloween items this month, including a $25 fan-favorite item.

Brand new trick-or-treat candy is also at Target for around $5.