Saving money is important all year round, but it can be particularly hard in the winter months.
With Christmas to save for and a home to heat, it can be hard to keep adding to your savings each month – particularly with the cost of living on the rise and impacting more and more families.
However, there are things you can do to make a difference. So, with winter upon us, here are just four things you can do to help save money.
1) Batch Cook Meals
Batch cooking and then freezing meals is a great way to save money on your food shop while still keeping a healthy and nutritious diet for you and your family.
Food waste, aside from being bad for the planet, is also bad for our pockets too. By ensuring that you cook and freeze your meals at the start of the week, you’ll help to limit the amount of food that goes off in your fridge and causes a mad dash to the shops to get something in for tonight’s dinner!
2) Insulate Your Home
When our homes are properly insulated, we can lower our energy usage and ensure that they stay warm for longer – thus reducing the amount we spend.
Making sure that you have loft and wall insulation will help to prevent that much need – and increasingly expensive – heat from escaping.
Similarly, if you have an older home, your windows may not be doing their job. Companies such as Halifax Glass can ensure that your windows are double glazed and up to scratch, helping you keep the warmth inside where it belongs!
While ensuring that your home is insulated doesn’t always come cheap, in the long run it will save you money.
3) Use Appliances Wisely
Keeping an eye on your electricity usage is essential. For example, the average tumble dry cycle costs more £1.50 a load. Make sure that if you do use your tumble dryer, you only do full loads or when you really need it.
Not all of our appliances and electricals need to be left on when we’re not using them, though we often do it out of habit.
Rather than leaving things like your TV on standby, instead turn it off at the wall. This simple thing, but a great habit to get into.
4) See What Help Is Out There
Remember, you’re not alone in the cost of living dilemma, and there is support out there for those in need.
Check out the government website for their guide on cost of living support. Here you’ll find everything from information on support for those with disabilities to child care, help with bills to guidance for small businesses.
The first step towards getting the support you need is knowing where to look and what you qualify for.
Do you have any tips for saving money this winter as the cost of living increases? Share your tips in the comments below!