Sensibly Frugal Living

I love winter. It is my favourite time of year, but with winter comes some extra costs. I have compiled a list on how to save money and cut costs during this season. I feel autumn is the best time to get ahead on some of these tips, hence why I feel now is a good time to post this.

1. Keep the heating off as long as you can: I don’t mean make yourself suffer, but f the weather is mild and you can throw on an extra layer to stay toasty, then keep that up for as long as you can.
2. Keep your heating as low as you can: We find that just taking the chill off is best for us. My children don’t like sleeping in hot rooms, and our house heats easily, but sometimes to the extreme. We keep the heating on a low setting that keeps the house warm, but not roasting hot.
3. Use your oven heat: If you are using your oven, then leave the door open a little when you have finished. (Only is safe to do so.)
4. Switch out curtains: Lined curtains hold in more heat than thinner ones. If you don’t have lined curtains, adding an extra sheet or blanket will work the same.
5. Cut off draughty areas: Draught excluders are great to place along the sills on windows or the bottom of an exterior door. If you don’t have draught excluders, rolled up towels work well, or you can make your own draught excluders by chopping off the legs of an old pair of trousers and stuffing them with either an old cushion insert or newspaper.
6. Use your slow cooker more: Winter is the time for soups, casseroles, and stews. Using a slow cooker instead of an oven can save energy. Yes, it saves energy even though it is on all day.
7. Buy winter clothes before the season starts: This is especially important if you shop second hand. Waiting too long will mean the charity / thrift shops may be cleared out of winter clothes.
8. Invest in winter shoes: Even if these are just a simple pair of welly boots. A winter boot is designed for bad weather and will save your other shoes getting wet and damaged.
9. Use your dryer at night: Winter weather means that dryers are used much more. If possible, drying at night will reduce the energy cost. The same goes for your washer.
10. Put a fluffy, dry towel in your dryer: Dry towels help absorb more water and your load will dry faster.
11. Limit baths: I know when you get in from work or errands cold and wet, you may feel like soaking in a hot bath. If you can resist the urge and hop in a hot shower instead for five minutes, you will save money on water and energy.
12. ‘Winterise’ your summer wardrobe: If you need a new winter wardrobe, look at what you have first. Can your summer dress be ‘winterised’ with tights and a cardigan? Can that t-shirt work well under an unbuttoned shirt?
13. Batch cooking: Batch cooking meals such as stews saves money on ingredients and the energy it takes to run the cooking appliances. Also if you are cooking in the oven, why not use that energy to also bake your cupcakes etc at the same time.
14. Time your last lawn mow correctly: In the winter, grass doesn’t stop growing it just slows. To minimise the need to mow too much and to keep your lawn in good condition through winter, wait until your area is due its first frost and cut it short just before.
15. Keep doors closed: If you are heating rooms, keep the doors closed to avoid losing heat. We heat specific areas of the house and don’t want to lose energy into our hallway etc.

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