How to Get Through Winter Without Overspending
As winter begins to roll around we know just how easy it is to start overspending; with bills creeping up as the weather gets colder and Christmas just around the corner, money quickly starts to dwindle. Stretching the cash is a must, and there are plenty of ways this can be done – you don’t have to freeze in the process, we promise!
From ensuring your home insulation is up to date to making the most of the seasonal sales, here at Cutting’s we have listed the many ways you can make your money last all through the winter this year.
Christmas
Yes it’s that time of year again, where the shops are chock-full of panicked customers buying anything and everything that will fit perfectly inside a stocking. Although it’s easy to get swept up in the spirit of Noel, this can have seriously painful repercussions for your bank account come January.
Our advice when it comes to Christmas shopping is to get in early, make the most of the sales that are sure to be around not long before the main event, or even wait till after. If you want to get the best deals, the January sales are the ideal time to Christmas shop, although this might be a bit too early for some people! If you are really feeling the pinch this season, you could utilise any hidden skills you may have and make handmade gifts. This way you can make something unique and considerate without breaking the bank.
Another piece of advice when it comes to Christmas is to set limits when it comes to buying gifts for loved ones. Although you might want to give them the world, sometimes it just isn’t practical. By setting limits on the cost of a gift it means that neither of you will spend more than the other, which is only fair. You will also have to put more thought into what you do get them, which can result in a more personalised and thoughtful present in the long run.
Bills
When the weather gets colder it’s only natural to crank up the heating for that nice cosy feeling, but that will inevitably impact on the bills at the end of the month. There are lots of other ways that you can keep your home snug without inducing a huge cost; bleeding your radiators is one of those. If your radiator feels cold at the top, this means that trapped air could have built up, stopping the radiator from heating up properly. By ensuring that all radiators are in working order before switching on the heating you can make sure not to waste any energy and therefore money on bills than needs be.
Insulation is also a great way to keep any heat that you do use inside the house instead of it escaping! This way you won’t need to have your heating up as high but you’ll still be just as warm as before, and with the ‘big six’ energy companies teaming up with the government you could even get this for free, potentially saving up to £160 a year!
Finally, if you were born on or before July 5 1953 then you can qualify for something called the Winter Fuel Payment Scheme; with this you can receive between £100 and £300 tax free cash to help cover the costs of your bills. Always contact your energy company if you feel you are struggling to cover the costs of your winter bills, you could be eligible for some help!
Transport
The final big expenditure in the winter months is usually on transport. When the temperatures drop, roads can become more dangerous for reasons such as ice or snow. Before the cold weather hits it’s a good idea to have your car serviced to make sure it’s fully safe and won’t be costing you any extra cash when you need it most.
Another good idea is to invest in some winter tyres, not only do they have a better grip on the road, having two sets of tyres will mean that they don’t wear quite as fast as usual. This will save you replacing them as often and save you money in the long run.
So there are plenty of ways that you can save money this winter; as well as what we have already mentioned there are lots of deals out there, from sites that offer cash back when you purchase from a certain place, all the way to just making the most of people’s good spirit around Christmas time and popping in for dinner. As long as you put all these steps into action you’ll have an abundance of money when it comes to spring time, perfect for spending on beer gardens and outdoor activities!
If you’re looking for more money this winter, here at Cuttings, we can help you out with our pawnbroking services. To find out more, simply get in touch by visiting our contact page or by giving us a call on 01843 584550.