November 2023 Financial Check In
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
- Winston Churchill
National Gratitude Month: Recognize Gratitude
A simple way to change perspective is to express gratitude. Rather than focusing on the negative aspects of our lives, it allows us to appreciate the positive ones.
To Do: Make a list of 10 things you are grateful for. Be intentional about recognizing financial successes or lessons as you go.
Reduce Thanksgiving Meal Costs
Instead of buying name-brand items for your favorite meals, purchase generic or store brand items. A family can save $20 a week by switching to generic brands, which is $80 a month or $1040 a year.
To Do: See how much you can save by shopping generic or store brands this Thanksgiving!
Flexible Spending Account
Leaving money in your Flexible Spending Account at the end of the year is money you lose (though some plans allow you to carry over a small amount to the following year).
To Do: Make a plan to use any money still left in your Flexible Spending Account.
Resource:
fsastore.com
Download a Budgeting App
Budgeting apps can help you stay on track during the holiday season. Examples: Good Budget, EveryDollar, Mint, YNAB, Money Manager, Wallet, or Nanci. If this method of tracking expenses doesn’t suit you, give another method a try.
To Do: Commit to trying a budgeting app for 30 days.
Resource: powerpay.org
Health Insurance Reminders
Medicare annual open enrollment is open. This is your opportunity to review Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage and Medicare Part C Advantage plan options and switch for 2024.
November 1 is the opening day of the federal health insurance Marketplace enrollment for 2023 coverage.
Don't Bust Your Budget!
Remember these items when you set up November’s budget:
- Thanksgiving travel and meal(s)
- Black Friday
- Small Business Saturday
- Cyber Monday
- Giving Tuesday
Learning Opportunities
Look for the following classes and events at Classes and Events | Johnson County (k-state.edu) :
- Who Gets Grandma’s Yellow Pie Plate: November 2
- Medicare Open Enrollment/ SHICK: October 15 - December 7
- DIY Medicare Comparison: November 8