Survive Winter on a Budget
So it’s getting cold out, and it’s harder to save money with you and your friends wanting to spend more time on indoor activities. Plus, you need that warm comfort food and hot coffee to get you through the cold days. And with the holidays approaching… But fear not! I’ve got a few tips for you to keep your expenses low this winter.
Get a space heater. One of the biggest expenses during winter is the heating bill. Some choose to freeze through part of the winter, refusing to turn on the heat to save costs. Others (like me) tend to blast the heat, favoring comfort over cost. A space heater offers a better option. You can still save on your heating bill, but stay warm in whichever room you’re in. Walmart has decently-priced space heaters to get you through the cold months.
Take advantage of your crockpot. If you don’t have one, it’s worth the investment! You can sometimes even find inexpensive, secondhand slow cookers at Goodwill. There are tons of recipes on the internet for soup, chili, chicken n’ dumplings, barbeque, mac n’ cheese, and any other warm comforting dish you can think of. Instead of going out for lunch or dinner, make these dishes in large portions to last you through the week. You can even make your favorite lattes in the crock pot! Which brings us to the next money-saver…
Opt for homemade Christmas gifts. Homemade gifts get a bad rap for being “cheap,” but not all homemade gifts are a cop-out. Most people love hand-crafted gifts that are made with just them in mind. Some of the best gifts I’ve received were homemade. If you have an artistic hobby, put it to good use for your family and close friends. Paint a picture, knit a blanket, make a dream catcher or a wreath, or assemble a terrarium. I’m making gifts for my family in my pottery class this year. If you don’t feel gifted in artistic pursuits, don’t feel like you have to make something that you worry may be hideous. Instead, try a simple recipe for sugar scrub or cookie mix mason jars.
Throw dinner parties. One of the easiest ways to spend money year-round is going out to eat. This winter, take turns hosting dinner parties with your friends. You can take turns cooking for everyone, or do pot-luck style, with each friend bringing a different dish to share. This same concept goes for ladies nights (or guys’ nights). Instead of hitting your favorite bar, have everyone bring drinks to your place. It’s cheaper to have snacks and drinks at home than to go out, and anywhere is just as fun with your besties around.
Randi Garrett