Autumn can be a pretty amazing time. From the cooler weather and beautiful scenery to the delicious treats and fun holidays, it is hard not to be excited for the season. However, there is one aspect of autumn that can really get on your nerves, especially when it comes to your budget. That inconvenience is all of the rain that usually appears during this time. Luckily, there’s a few things you can do to help prepare yourself for the autumn rain and the season itself before it arrives. These ten tips should have you prepped and ready to handle everything that the ring brings to the table, so you can enjoy the season even more.
1. Put Up Outdoor Furniture
Although the weather will be cooler at first, you might want to plan on putting your outdoor furniture up if it cannot withstand the change in weather. Since school will be starting back up and many people tend to immerse themselves in other activities during the autumn, there is a good chance you will spend less time outdoors. So, storing your furniture will help keep it functional and beautiful for much longer. You should clean and properly dry off your furniture before putting away, which will make it less likely to rust or grow mold while in storage.
2. Prepare Your Vehicle
One of the most overlooked items during autumn preparation is often the vehicle. This can cause you to have to spend a lot more money on repairing issues brought about by a lack of preparation. One of the first things you should do is swap out your windshield wipers if they seem to be worn out. Another great thing to do is check out your tires or have a professional do so. You will want to make sure that your tires have enough tread to get you around safely during the cooler months. An inspection during this time is always wise too, because it is never fun to be stranded on the side of the road when the weather is rainy and cold. You should also prep your car for emergencies if you haven’t already done so. Two very important items to include in your car is an air pump and a first aid kit. Flares, a flashlight and other safety items are also good things to add to your trunk, just in case.
3. Organize Closet
If you’re looking to make your life a little easier then you might want to start organizing your closet as soon as the heat wave begins to subside. You don’t have to put away all of your summer clothes if you have the closet space, but you might want to take the time to move your cold weather clothes and rainy day items to the front of your closet or at least pull them out of storage. This will give you the chance to clean the items and try them on to make sure they still fit you properly. Doing this can save you a lot of hassle on the first day of the rainy season, especially if your clothes end up not fitting. Items that no longer fit or don’t suit your style can be sold for a little extra money or donated for a small tax break.
4. Make a Bad Weather Kit
Autumn can present some major challenges when it comes to the weather. From hurricanes and tornadoes to flooding and intense wind, it is best to prepare for the worst to help make your family feel secure. So, before the harsh weather hits, you should stock up on water and sustainable foods just in case you wind up stuck in the house for some time. You might keep more water on hand than you typically would in an emergency kit in case flooding causes water supplies to become contaminated. Of course, having a water bottle with a filter can help with this problem too. Another great thing to have on hand is flashlights, batteries and candles, which can help get the family through a power outage. Finally, you should have fun snacks, games and books ready to help take your mind off of the bad weather until it passes. An emergency plan is also a must for your kit, just so you can handle a poor situation efficiently if it does occur.
5. Inspect Home
The rain can cause a lot of damage to the home too, which might cause you to spend a lot of money if you’re not prepared. So, the best thing you can do is run an inspection of the home before the poor weather arrives. The first things you should get checked is your heater or furnace. You don’t want to turn on a hazardous item at the beginning of the season as it can cause fires, smoke damage and more. Sometimes, your insurance will even cover this cost, so ask around to see if you can get a free inspection. Checking this item can even help cut back on your electric bill, so it is more important than you think. Another item to check out is your roof. With the rain and snow arriving, you’ll want to make sure your roof isn’t going to leak, or cave in. Testing out your fire detector and carbon monoxide alarms are critical too, especially with the house being closed up. Finally, you might want to check the weather stripping in your home, as well as the foundation to make sure the cooler and wetter weather won’t cause damage to the home.
6. Waterproof Shoes/Jackets
If you love to have nice shoes, then autumn can be one of the most trying times for you. There’s lots of great shoe options for this season, but many of the most popular styles can easily be ruined by the rain. The same can be said for fashion jackets that aren’t designed for the rain, particularly those made of suede. Luckily, there is a simple solution to your problem. You can easily water proof your more expensive items. Many shoe stores and fashion boutiques can do this service for you if you’re willing to pay the fee. However, there are also kits to do this at home. If you don’t want to do such a thing then you might consider investing in shoe covers and light ponchos or anoraks to keep your items looking good.
7. Find Indoor Activities
Rainy days often mean spending more time indoors, which can cause the whole family to become bored. So, before the rainy and cold weather arrives, you might want to stock up on activities. One of the best things to get is fun games. This can range from board and card games to games that the family makes up. Crafts can be a fun way to kill some time too and will help children exercise their creativity. This is also a great way to decorate the house, so it feels more appealing for the season. Of course, you should also come up with indoor friendly exercises that are fun to do. This will help keep everyone healthy when they can’t go out and play.
8. Find Alternative Routes
Sometimes, the rainy weather can become a bit too much for the roads in your city or town. You might even find that trees fall into the street more often, or you have to dodge other debris in many areas of your community. This can cause you to be late for work, school and more. Thus, is might be wise to come up with a few alternative routes to help your family get to where they need to be in a timely manner. Knowing these alternative routes might even help prevent damage to your vehicle which will save you a whole lot of money in the long run.
9. Prepare Your Garden
More often than not, the garden and even the lawn is overlooked before autumn arrives. Dead plants and overgrown grass are often left, which can cause a lot of problems in your yard during the autumn and winter months. Before the weather gets too bad, you’ll want to remove seasonal plants, especially those that are dead or dying. If the weather gets very cold in the winter and autumn, then wrap your shrubs to protect them from the frost. You can also place plastic bottles over vulnerable plants during the harsh weather and at night. Before things get too wet, lay out mulch too to ensure your soil will be good when planting season arrives. Finally, trim your trees, especially those branches that might break off if covered in ice or subjected to harsh winds.
10. Don’t Forget Your Pets
The rainy and cold weather also affects your pets, so don’t overlook them when it comes to your preparations. One of the first things you need to do is purchase supplies that will prevent you and your pet from getting cold and wet during your daily walks. These supplies are actually very cheap, and you can customize them to suit your personality. Clothing and leashes with reflectors will also come in handy, especially when you walk early in the morning or in the evening when it is still dark out. Sometimes, pets can’t always make it until the harsh weather subsides, so you might stock up on cleaning supplies that will help you efficiently clean up accidents. Items to help you quickly clean up after your pet outdoors are also a must. Another thing to consider is your pet’s outdoor house. This should be checked for leaks, especially if your pet is outdoors often. You might consider adding newspaper and blankets to keep your pet warm. If you have a lot of strays in the area, then setting up a safe space might help out too. This can be a simple box with newspaper and a water bowl. There’s lots of great DIY tips for these temporary shelters online, if you’re interested in making one or more.
Autumn can be a real pain when it comes to inconvenience and your budget. However, the season is also filled with beauty. These ten tips should help you properly prepare for all of the rain the season brings so you can enjoy autumn more and stress a whole lot less. Best of all, you won’t have to put as much money into staying comfortable when all of the rain arrives.
