5 Walmart Buys That Could Help Families Stretch Fall Budgets
Fall hits different when you're managing a household budget. Back-to-school, holiday creep, colder weather and busier schedules all conspire to turn your wallet inside out. While you may think the best move is to buy whatever's cheapest, you could wind up with something you'll need to replace sooner than you'd like. That's not saving money. That's just delaying the inevitable.
Instead, invest in a handful of strategic purchases that keep paying dividends all season long. We're talking about products that transform how you handle the stuff that actually eats up fall budgets, like meals, schoolwork, clothing and storage. The right low-cost items can compound savings across weeks and months, not just days.
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Below are five inexpensive Walmart buys that can help families get more value from their fall spending and stretch their budgets across the season.
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Mainstays 6-Quart Slow Cooker
Price: $24.68
Busy fall evenings can make takeout, DoorDash or visiting a pricey restaurant awfully tempting, all of which can get expensive if you keep falling back on them. A slow cooker can help families avoid those expenses by making it easier to prep large batches of affordable meals ahead of time.
The Mainstays 6-Quart slow cooker can handle family-sized portions of soups, stews, chili, shredded chicken and more, all of which can be stretched across multiple diners. At under $25, it’s a rather small upfront cost for a tool that can help turn inexpensive ingredients into several meals.
Rubbermaid Brilliance 10-Piece Food Storage Set
Price: $19.82
Remember, a slow cooker only truly saves money if families actually use the leftovers. That’s where food storage containers come in handy. They make it easier to turn extra portions into the next day's lunch.
The Rubbermaid Brilliance food storage set includes 10 leak-resistant containers that can be refrigerated, frozen, microwaved and cleaned in the dishwasher. For families trying to cut down on wasted food or reduce the number of lunches purchased away from home, a reusable container set comes in very handy.
onn 8” Kids Tablet
Price: $118.00
Technology has become part of many young students’ daily routines, but not every family needs to spend hundreds of dollars on premium tech.
The onn 8” kids tablet offers 64GB of storage, an 8-inch display, access to kid-friendly apps and comes in a protective bumper case to guard against everyday wear and tear. At $118, it provides a lower-cost option for families who need a basic device for educational apps and online assignments but don’t want to splurge on more expensive tablet options.
Wonder Nation Boys' Varsity Fleece Hoodie
Price: $12.98
Fall weather creates another round of clothing expenses as kids need layers for cooler mornings and outdoor activities. Instead of buying seasonal outfits that may only get worn occasionally, a basic fleece hoodie is the kind of item that can be used repeatedly throughout the school year.
The Wonder Nation varsity fleece hoodie works across multiple wardrobe styles and weather conditions, easily layering over multiple kinds of outfits. And even though it's listed as boys' clothing, the style works for children of any gender!
Eastsport Unisex Aurora Core Backpack
Price: $15.97-$19.97
A backpack can either be a recurring yearly expense or a one-time investment if you find one that’s built to last.
The Eastport unisex backpack is a smart, practical choice because it’s designed for everyday use and abuse, comes with multiple zipper compartments, a padded tech/laptop sleeve, hydration pockets and a water-resistant lining to protect against food and drink spills. At under $20, it’s very affordable while offering features that make it last far beyond the first day of school.
Editor’s note: Prices and availability are subject to change.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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