If you've spent any time on social media lately, you've probably seen people sharing what's actually worth the money.
A quality mattress. TSA PreCheck. Noise-canceling headphones.
As renters, we'd like to nominate a few more.
Between back-to-school shopping, lease renewals, moving expenses, higher utility bills, and squeezing in one last summer trip, August has a way of stretching your budget.
This month, we're highlighting the financial moves, tools, and habits that are actually worth it.
Worth Knowing: Late Summer by the Numbers
- Average back-to-school spending: ~$875 per household
- Average local move: $1,200+
- Summer utility bills can increase 8–15%
- Security deposits are often equal to one month's rent
Why It Matters
None of these expenses are unexpected. They just tend to arrive all at once.
Planning for seasonal costs before they happen can help you avoid relying on credit cards or dipping into your emergency fund.
Worth Trying: Make Rent Fit Your Schedule
Life doesn't stop because rent is due.
If you're eligible, Esusu Pay lets you apply to split your rent into smaller payments, giving you more flexibility when timing gets tight.
Worth Considering: Is Moving Really Worth It?
The cheapest apartment isn't always the least expensive move.
Between application fees, security deposits, moving trucks, utility transfers, and furnishing a new place, the average move costs more than $2,000 before you've even unpacked your first box.*
Before signing somewhere new, compare the total cost of moving with the cost of renewing your current lease. Sometimes staying put can be the smarter financial decision.
Find more tips and tools to help you make informed financial decisions here.
*Source: Forbes Home, "Common Moving Expenses" (2025). Average moving costs exceed $2,000 when accounting for transportation, supplies, and related moving expenses.
Worth Doing: Your August Financial Checklist
- Review your budget.
- Check your credit score.
- Compare moving costs before deciding to relocate.
- Make a back-to-school spending plan.
- Cancel one subscription you forgot you had.
- Make a Build (or replenish) your emergency fund.
Worth Rethinking: Money Myths
Myth
“I need to have a lot of extra money lying around to benefit from personalized financial coaching.”
Reality:
After switching to Esusu's no-cost 1:1 financial coaching through Operation Hope, resident S.H. saw meaningful progress in just three months:
- +40-point FICO® Score increase
- $1,400 collection removed
- Lower auto insurance costs
- One step closer to homeownership
Worth Exploring: The Esusu App Got a Glow-Up
Good news: your financial home just got easier to navigate.
We've refreshed the Esusu app with a cleaner design, improved navigation, and an easier way to access your membership benefits, from credit monitoring and financial coaching to Marketplace offers and more.
Same mission. Better experience.
Worth Investing: This Summer, Invest in Yourself.
It’s no secret the job market is tough. Now is the perfect time to level up. Take advantage of Merit America career programs, available at no cost for a limited time when you enroll in August or September.
Career Coaching + Career Readiness Essentials
Work 1:1 with a career coach to build a standout resume, optimize your LinkedIn and ace your interviews in 6 weeks.
AI Workplace Essentials
Learn how to use AI tools to save time, improve your work, and earn a Google AI Professional Certificate in just 6 weeks.
Worth Reading
How to lower your utility bill before fall
How to save money on groceries
Where to start if you’re planning to buy a house
How rent reporting helps build credit
Worth Looking Forward To
Next month: Credit Scores, Decoded
We'll break down what actually affects your credit score, what doesn't, and the habits that can make the biggest difference over time.
Esusu disclosure: Esusu only reports on-time rent payments and does not report missed or late rent payments to the credit bureaus. Using Esusu rent reporting services does not guarantee an increase in credit scores or approval for any credit product, as scores are determined by credit agencies using multiple factors including payment history on other accounts, credit utilization rates, and other variables. Individual results vary and are not guaranteed.
* Based on active renters at active properties from enrollment through Q4 2025. Average credit score increase calculated by comparing enrollment credit score to latest available credit score as of Q4 2025, treating renters with no credit score at enrollment as having a score of zero. Esusu only reports on-time rent payments and does not report missed or late rent payments to the credit bureaus. Using Esusu rent reporting services does not guarantee an increase in credit scores or approval for any credit product, as scores are determined by credit agencies using multiple factors including payment history on other accounts, credit utilization rates, and other variables. Individual results vary and are not guaranteed. For questions about our products and services, see Esusu’s terms & conditions and FAQs.
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