It’s fall. Time to refresh, reset and save – Minneapolis Star Tribune

Fall calls for more than just a reset on our clocks. We need to prepare for a new season. Here are some ways to do so and save money at the same time.

At the grocery store

Buy fruits and vegetables that are in season. Overripe fruits and vegetables go bad faster, so choose the freshest produce available. When it comes to leafy greens, opt for those that are richly colored, with few to no limp or yellow leaves. When youre picking out root vegetables like potatoes and onions, weight is a good indicator of freshness: The heavier they are, the better.

In your clothes closet

The cheapest place to go shopping is right in your home. With cooler months approaching, its time to go through your closet and swap out your favorite shorts for your favorite sweatpants.

Take a day to go through everything you own, and create piles for things you no longer want, things you want to keep, and seasonal items. For clothing you wont need until next summer, properly pack it in airtight containers to avoid issues like moths.

Once your clothing is separated, youll probably have some items that are showing signs of wear. Dont toss them. Its surprisingly easy to re-dye clothing that has started to fade. If you have stained items, try soaking items in OxiClean. If you noticed that your workout gear is not looking as spry as it used to (or that its retaining a funky smell even after washing), bring it back to life with Purex Fels-Naptha.

If the idea of going through your wardrobe doesnt fill you with joy, get some friends together over Zoom for a virtual clothing swap. You might be able to nab a couple of new pieces from pals and rid yourself of stuff you dont love anymore.

Around the house

If youre itching to do some remodeling, try something that doesnt cost anything at all: rearranging your furniture.

First, decide what you want the focal point of the room to be and concentrate on that. If its the bay windows in your living room, figure out how to arrange the furniture so it doesnt impede the view. Position the largest pieces of furniture (such as the bed or sofa) first, and work outward from there. Try different layouts.

Once you have an arrangement you like, step out of the room and walk back in. A vibe check will allow you to see how the room feels.

After rearranging, you may find yourself in need of a new piece of furniture or two. But before you go shopping, take a look around your house to see whether theres anything you can repurpose. Could that old bookshelf be transformed into your new standing desk?

Clean and organize

Now that youve rearranged, why not take the extra step of making the furniture look new? To tackle lighter stains, a little warm water and dish detergent can usually do the trick (depending on the fabric).

If you need something stronger, or you need more than just a spot treatment, it may be worth getting an upholstery cleaner. A good upholstery cleaner may seem expensive, but its cheaper and more convenient than hiring a professional cleaner.

Want to give your bathroom an inexpensive face-lift? Organize anything you have stored in exposed shelving. Tidying up (and hiding things out of sight) is especially rewarding if you have a smaller bathroom. A clean space creates the illusion of a larger space. Or perhaps you can craft a new shower curtain.

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It's fall. Time to refresh, reset and save - Minneapolis Star Tribune