You guys. Fall is almost here. Target has put out their insanely large, insanely cute display of Back to School supplies. I’m trying desperately to stay away from it. I’m also preparing to teach a course this fall. So crazy. Feel free to refer to me as “professor.”

I’m also still on this saving money kick, but it hasn’t been much fun. I’m the kind of person who needs something to look forward to– like a trip! Since a trip is out of my budgetary reach and the summer is almost over (boo!), I created a list of free or cheap things to do this fall. I hope it will keep my spirits up, give me me something to look forward to and maybe even get you inspired and excited for fall?!

1. Set some fun fall goals
2. Donate school supplies to a child in need
3. Volunteer
4. Donate your gently-used winter coats to someone in need
5. Enroll in a class at your local community college
6. Take a hike
7. Admire the foliage
8. Sprinkle pumpkin pie spice in your morning coffee
9. Get up early to admire the sunrise
10. Learn to knit!
11. Get an early start on making Holiday gifts
12. Host a pot-luck Friendsgiving (a Thanksgiving with friends)
13. Put pumpkin in everything!
14. Visit a pumpkin patch (or do what my mom did and tell us we are visiting a pumpkin patch, but really just go to the grocery store and play on the pumpkin display)
15. Go on a hay ride
16. Visit a corn maze
17. Carve pumpkins
18. Don’t forget to roast the seeds!
19. Rake the leaves
20. Jump in the leaves!
21. Winterize your home (or your Airstream!)
22. Visit the library and check out Autumn-themed books
23. Bake a pumpkin pie
24. Share the pie with your neighbor
25. Camp in your own backyard
26. Chop wood
27. Find the perfect walking stick
28. Build a fire pit
29. Make hobo packets
30. Roast marshmallows
31. Tell ghost stories
32. Enjoy a pumpkin beer
33. Go on a bike ride
34. Go on a fall-themed picnic
35. Learn to can vegetables
36. Plant winter veggies
37. Or plant bulbs for next spring
38. Do lots of autumn-themed crafts
39. Donate or sell the summer clothing that you didn’t wear
40. Pear down your winter wardrobe
41. Host a clothing swap
42. Or swap online on Swapdom
43. Sell your wares at a flea market
44. Go apple picking
45. Bob for apples
46. Make candy apples
47. Learn to make apple cider or jam
48. Pop popcorn and drizzle it in caramel
49. Drink hot apple cider
50. Drink hot chocolate
51. Break out your crock-pot
52. Make pumpkin chili!
53. Don’t forget the cornbread!
54. Eat your weight in fall veggies– squash and Brussels sprouts and cabbage, oh my!
55. Get excited for fall fashion
56. Break out the flannel
57. Pull on those wool socks
58. Don’t worry about bad hair days, just put on a beanie!
59. If you are a lady, pull on those thick tights (and don’t worry about shaving your legs!)
60. If you are a dude, grow a beard!
61. Cuddle up in your oldest sweatshirt
62. Wrap up in warm blankets
63. Watch It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
64. And A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
65. Go to bed earlier
66. Visit the fair or a fall festival (save money with these tips)
67. Host a Halloween party
68. Make your own Halloween costume and challenge yourself to use only stuff you can find around the house
69. Dress up your pet!
70. Craft creepy snacks like this Slimer Smoothie
71. DIY candy
72. Watch your favorite scary movie with a friend
73. Read scary stories under the cover with a flashlight
74. Listen to the Halloween station on Pandora
75. Make spiced nuts
76. Slurp on some soup and grill up an old-fashioned grilled cheese sandwich
77. Make beeswax candles
78. Discover your local farmer’s market
79. Slowly sip a cup of hot tea
80. Pretend that you like candy corn
81. Discover the real meaning of Thanksgiving
82. Be more grateful by creating a gratitude journal
83. Make turkey hands! They’re still fun, even when you’re almost 30!
84. Simply sit outside and enjoy the cool weather
85. Join a local foraging group and forage for wild edibles
86. Make acorn soup
87. Or mushroom soup from the forage
88. Make real cranberry sauce and put it on french toast!
89. Pour maple syrup on everything!
90. Enjoy the Harvest Moon on September 8th
91. Invite your friends over and create fall-themed cocktails
92. Make a pine cone bird feeder and keep those birds fed all winter
93. Paint your nails an autumn-colored hue
94. Celebrate Dia de Los Muertos and honor your deceased loved ones
95. Break out the board games and your favorite jammies
96. Give your mum some mums!
97. Attend a high school football game
98. Join a sports program for adults
99. Participate in a zombie crawl
100. Or a Turkey Trot for charity
101. Take lots of pictures to document your memories!

Are you ready for fall? I’m feeling a little more ready and hopeful after this list.

What are your favorite fall-themed free activities? Let me know in the comments!

love,
melanie