At the end of September, the British government notified consumers that a spike in the price of heating oil would occur during this winter. The government advised a proactive approach to avoid overpaying and becoming a victim of distribution delays.
Residents who headed the warning took one step to reduce their household expenses during winter months but there are many other things they can do. As thoughts turn to snow, incorporate some of these tips to keep money in the pocket.
Heating is not the only way to keep the home warm during winter. In fact, homeowners can reduce their heating needs by applying weatherstripping around walls, using expansion foam to fill small gaps, and improving home insulation. Covering windows with blinds or curtains will prevent loss of expensive heat. With the home equipped to handle winter, consumers should shop around for energy suppliers to reduce winter electricity costs.
Learn To Be Frugal This Winter
When winter arrives, most people pile on layers of clothing to keep warm. If the winter wardrobe is outdated or lacking, it will need replenishing. Rather than heading to an expensive designer shop, look for bargain-priced clothing at major supermarkets.
TK Maxx, Peacocks, Primark, and Matalan are inexpensive clothing retailers. When shopping online, use Amazon and eBay and sign up for special email discounts with low-priced retailers. Find the best deals on winter clothes by shopping after the winter holidays.
Slow Is Better
A slow cooker is a must-have appliance for preparing inexpensive winter meals. It consumes minimal energy and retails for under £10. Look for slow cooker recipes that transform unappealing leftovers into delicious soups, stews, and casseroles. Cook large batches at a time and freeze uneaten portions to enjoy during coming weeks when you are too tired to cook.
Exercise usually takes low priority during winter because it is too cold to walk or run outdoors. Local adult education centres are the perfect places to exercise on a budget while making new friends. Residents over age 60 may be entitled to a price discount of 50 percent or more and some centres even offer free classes.
Community and leisure centres are two other places to look for low-cost exercise classes. If there is very little money to spend, buy a workout book or DVD and exercise at home.
When nightfall arrives earlier and evenings are colder, entertainment options seem to dwindle. By getting creative, the family can enjoy a movie or game night without spending much money. A library is an excellent source for free DVDs and Amazon, eBay, and other online auction sites sell used video games and movies at low prices.
Even a simple deck of cards can lead to an entertaining evening of card games learned from the Internet.
When you must be miserly about money, do not let the cold days of winter turn you into a Scrooge. Prepare now by incorporating the money-saving tips above. By keeping expenses within budget while enjoying life during the cold weather, you will be in good spirits until spring arrives. Creativity and a focus on saving money are all it takes.
