Is your pocketbook ailing from lots of end of the year spending? Then, these 16 Smart Ways To Save Money This Winter are sure to be welcome.
Save Money on Food
1. A great way to cut your food bill is to eat what is in season as it is generally less expensive. In season selections include Brussels sprouts, clementines, collard greens, dates, grapefruit, kale, oranges, pears, pomegranates, some varieties of squash, sweet potatoes, and turnips among other fruits and vegetables (Fruits And Veggies-More Matters).
2. Take advantage of the annual January/February weight loss craze-Foods labeled “diet” tend to be discounted as many people attempt to fulfill weight loss resolutions and companies vie for their business.
3. Also, keep your eyes out for holiday overstocks. In January, you may find that grocery stores run sales on hams and turkeys to clear out valuable shelf space, as well as on food items with holiday labeled packaging. After Valentine’s Day is another good time to pick up left over seasonally labeled food items.
Some common food aisles to look in for these deals include baking, candy, ice cream, and specialty meats and cheeses.
Save Money on Clothing
4. Snag gently used winter wear at a thrift or consignment store. These retailers are especially great places to shop for kids apparel and snow boots because young people outgrow their clothes so quickly.
5. Shop clearance sales at department stores. Many stores start clearing out their winter merchandise as early as January, leaving plenty of winter left to wear what you purchase.
6. Check online price comparison tools to find the best offers on the web. Only search for items that you need and don’t just peruse all the sales. Limiting your online search will keep the impulse buys to a minimum. Here are 7 Sites For Finding The Best Online Deals.
Save Money on Heating
Proper maintenance saves money in the long run and can safeguard your health.
7. Have your furnace serviced by a qualified heating system specialist. It will run more efficiently and proper maintenance will help the mechanical system last longer.
8. Make sure that your chimney is properly inspected and cleaned before use each year to prevent fire danger in the stack. Also, for most effective use of the fireplace, select wood that is not wet/green, but seasoned instead. It will make for a much better fire. And do not forget to keep your fireplace damper closed when not in use to reduce heat loss.
9. If you have a gas fireplace insert, get that inspected when you have heating system inspected. Gas fireplace inserts can be a good low emission, cost effective alternative to wood-burning fireplaces.
Also,
10. Make sure that the caulking around your windows is in good shape.
11. Add weather stripping around your doors and windows to help cut down on heat loss.
12. Make sure that your pipes are properly insulated and any holes around them sealed up to prevent heat loss and exposure to cold.
13. Let the sun shine in the windows facing it during the daytime, to help heat up your place. Draw the curtains as evening approaches to conserve this heat.
14. Turn down your thermostat by a few degrees at night to conserve energy. Many programmable thermostats will now do that for you automatically.
Save Money on Exercise
** This post is informational only and not medical advice. I am not a doctor or any other health professional. Always consult with your doctor about your individual situation before beginning exercise.
15. Explore exercises that you can do from your home, since the weather may not always permit you to be outdoors or go to a gym. Check out these 10 Frugal Ways to Exercise Indoors.
16. Use inexpensive activities (see note above about physician approval) such as walking in snow shoes or sledding as exercise when you are out and about in snow.
By following these simple tips, you can keep the sometimes brutal conditions of the season from dealing a death blow to your bank account and save money this winter.
For more Savings Tips:
5 Tips To Save Money On Workout Clothes
32 Inexpensive Winter Craft and Recipe Ideas
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