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Bi-weekly newsletter focused on resourceful and sustainable living.
October 1, 2026
Welcome to REESORZ Wire, providing information, tools and creative ideas to promote resourceful, sustainable and healthy living. And happy first day of October!
If you’re new to REESORZ, check out our website at Reesorz.com or subscribe to the newsletter for free.
In today’s newsletter:
Your work hard for your money, but do you really know where it goes? Financial resources and tools make it easier than ever to understand and track your budget - so why not get started today?
October may be spooky, but that shouldn’t include being fearful of a cybersecurity scam. Get tools and resources to protect yourself.
Costumes, candy, parties - it can all add up! Consider these resourceful tips before breaking your bank this Halloween season.
FEATURE ARTICLE
Your wallet called, it wants a plan.
There is a saying often credited to motivational speaker Zig Ziglar: “It’s not what you’ve got, it’s what you use that makes a difference.” That idea is at the heart of understanding money. Wealth is not just about how much you earn, what you own, or what is in your bank account. Real wealth can also mean peace of mind, good health, less stress, fewer bills, useful skills, and the ability to make smart choices with what you already have.
Things they don’t always teach you in school
For years, many people graduated without learning how to budget, understand credit, compare interest rates, avoid debt traps, read insurance policies, or plan for emergencies. You may have learned algebra, history, and science—but not always how to manage a paycheck.
The good news is that this is changing. Many states and schools are now adding financial literacy and money management as required or core coursework. Organizations like Next Gen Personal Finance track financial education requirements across the U.S., and the Council for Economic Education reports on how schools are expanding personal finance education.
Free, online financial education resources are also available for do-it-yourselfers and include:
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Provides consumer resources wherever you are on your financial journey.
FDIC Money Smart: The FDIC Money Smart financial education program can help people of all ages enhance their financial skills and create positive banking relationships.
Financial Literacy & Education Commission: Provides federal financial literacy resources.
Khan Academy Personal Finance: Free personal finance education courses.
As you dive into your personal financial education journey, you’ll start to understand where your money goes and how to be more intentional with your spending.
What do people spend the most money on?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, the biggest household expenses are usually:
Housing
Transportation
Food
Insurance and healthcare
Entertainment and personal spending
If you want to improve your finances, start looking at these big categories. Small changes help, but big recurring expenses can change your whole budget.
Want vs. need: The money questions that can save you
Before buying something, ask yourself:
Do I need this, or do I want this?
Can I borrow it, repair it, reuse it, or buy it secondhand?
Will I still care about this purchase in 30 days?
Am I buying this because I need it—or because I am stressed, bored, or influenced by advertising?
This does not mean you can never enjoy life. It means you become more intentional. A need supports your life. A want adds comfort or enjoyment. Both are okay—but they should not be confused.
Curbing overconsumption without feeling deprived
Overconsumption often happens when buying becomes automatic. Subscriptions renew. Takeout becomes routine. Online shopping turns into entertainment. Before long, money disappears without a plan.
Try these simple shifts:
Use a 24-hour rule before impulse purchases.
Cancel subscriptions you forgot you had.
Meal plan before grocery shopping.
Repair before replacing.
Shop your closet, pantry, and garage first.
Buy used when it makes sense.
Choose quality for items you use daily.
Avoid “sale” purchases unless you truly need the item.
Remember: A discount is not savings if you did not need the item in the first place.
Build a Simple Financial Foundation
You do not need to be rich to become financially stronger. Start where you are so you can have a full picture of your finances:
Track your income and expenses.
Know what comes in and what goes out.
Build a small emergency fund.
Pay bills on time.
Reduce high-interest debt.
Save automatically, even if it is only $10 at a time.
Learn one new money skill each week.
Budgeting tools you may explore include:
YNAB (You Need a Budget): Track your finances with YNAB’s budgeting software. Paid subscription with free trial.
Every Dollar: Easy to use budgeting app that helps you keep tabs on your money at a glance, built from Dave Ramsey’s 7 Baby Steps plan. Free and premium options.
Monarch Money: Budget, track your progress, and plan for the future — all in one app. 2 subscription pricing options.
Or a simple spreadsheet or notebook works, too.
Money management is not about being perfect. It is about being aware, creative, and resourceful. Whether you make a little or a lot, you can build wealth by making better choices, wasting less, learning more, and protecting what matters.
PRACTICAL TAKEAWAYS
Don’t let scammers steal your holiday cheer
October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month and, with the holidays approaching, this is a great time to do your due diligence to protect your money, identity, and personal information.
Scammers are using emails, texts, fake shopping sites, social media messages, and even AI-generated voices, photos, and videos to trick you into acting fast. Before you click, pay, or share information, slow down and ask:
Is this real?
Did I request this?
Can I verify it another way?
Be careful with urgent messages claiming your account is locked, a package is delayed, or a loved one needs money. Scammers want you emotional, rushed, and distracted.
Protect yourself by using strong passwords, turning on multi-factor authentication, updating your devices, and avoiding public Wi-Fi for banking or shopping.
If a deal looks too good to be true, search the company name with words like “scam,” “reviews,” or “complaints.”
Helpful cybersecurity resources:
FTC (Federal Trade Commission) Consumer Advice: Learn about the latest scams, and get advice to help you avoid, report and recover from them.
Federal Trade Commission ReportFraud.ftc.gov: Report fraud, scams and bad business practices.
Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency: Simple ways to protect yourself from online threats.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Internet Crime Complaint Center: Central hub for reporting cyber-enabled crime.
Federal Trade Commission IdentityTheft.gov: Report identity theft and get a recovery plan.
Helpful apps and tools
Consider using a password manager such as Bitwarden, 1Password, Dashlane, or Apple iCloud Keychain. Also enable alerts through your banking app and check your credit at AnnualCreditReport.com
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REESORZ TIPS & TOOLS
Fall home safety check: 7 quick to- dos
As seasons change, take a few minutes to protect your home, apartment, or living space by checking these 7 items:
Furnace: Test the heat before cold weather arrives.
Air filter: Replace HVAC/furnace filters.
Pipes: Check for leaks under sinks and near water heaters.
Smoke alarms: Test each alarm and replace batteries if needed.
Carbon monoxide detectors: Test each detector and replace batteries.
Dryer vents: Clean the lint trap and remove lint buildup from the dryer hose.
Outdoor walkways/lighting: Replace burned-out bulbs.
These simple checks can save money, prevent damage, and improve safety. Free help may be available through local fire departments, utility energy audits, or smoke alarm programs.
Skills revival: Try this before you call a repair person
Before spending money on a repair, try a quick REESORZ Skills Revival tip at home.
Many issues with key fobs, remotes, electronics, routers, and small appliances have simple fixes. Search online using the brand, model number, and problem, such as “Toyota key fob battery replacement” or “remote not working after battery change.”
Check YouTube, ifxit.com, manufacturer manuals, or Manuals Lib (the ultimate manuals library).
Watch two or three videos before starting. Then check basics: batteries, plugs, outlets, resets, loose cords, dirty contacts, or stuck buttons. For key fobs, take a photo, replace the battery, and test it.
Remember safety first! Call a professional for sparks, burning smells, gas, wiring, leaks near electricity, or high voltage. Start small—and learn something!
Halloween on a budget: Boo more, spend less!
Did you know that Americans spend a significant amount on Halloween? Costumes alone reached about $4.3 billion, with decorations at $4.2 billion and candy at $3.9 billion.
Before you overspend, search online for creative ways to get the best bang for your buck. Try DIY costumes, closet makeovers, thrift finds, and community swaps through:
Use Pinterest.com for free costume and decorating ideas.
Shop early, buy secondhand, and grab clearance items after Halloween.
For treats, consider fruit snacks, dye-free candies, or non-candy goodies.
Fall travel plans? Save more in the shoulder travel season
In the U.S., the peak travel season is generally during the summer months when kids are out of school. But for those not limited to summer travel, the fall can provide some great options at a lower price.
The shoulder travel season is the period between a destination’s busy peak season and its quiet off-season. Travelers can often find fewer crowds, lower costs, and milder temperatures.
When does it happen by region?
North America: Usually spring (March–May) and fall (September–November).
Europe: Generally April–May and September–October (with some southern areas extending into March or November).
Tropical Destinations: The transition periods between the dry and rainy seasons.
With some thoughtful planning and timing, you can elevate your travels without breaking the bank.
REESORZ 26-week house detox challenge
Welcome to week 9 - it’s time to visit your laundry room! Each week, we’ll guide you through simple yet impactful steps to to help create a safer, healthier living space. Remember, detoxing your home is a process, so take it step by step. 🌱
Week 9: Replace dryer sheets
What’s getting kicked to the curb? Synthetic fragrances and those pesky VOCs (volatile organic chemicals) hiding in your dryer sheets. Turns out, they don’t just freshen your clothes, they also release unwanted chemicals into the air and onto your favorite socks.
Challenge: Time to break up with those dryer sheets for good.
Replacement tip: Swap them out for wool dryer balls with a few drops of your favorite essential oils, or go old-school and hang your clothes to dry on hangers.
Bonus: Mother Nature will thank you, and your clothes might just live a little longer!
PRACTICAL WISDOM FOR YOUR JOURNEY
"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." — Maya Angelou, Poet & Author
Your story is unique; stop measuring it against someone else's highlight reel.
