How To Survive Financially This Winter

Survive Financially This Winter

Winter is a difficult time for many of us with increasing energy bills to pay, as well as having to manage the costs that come with the festive season – both can have a huge impact on your wallet. But don’t worry, there are ways that you can make your money go further this winter, from setting yourself a budget in line with what you can afford, to turning down your heating slightly. If money is tight and you’re faced with an emergency expense, you’ll be left wondering how you’re going to pay for it, this is where payday loans can help. They can provide you with additional funds to help you when you need it most. Read on as we look at a few tips on how to survive financially this winter.

Start Saving as soon as Possible

Saving for the winter is one of the best ways to make your money go further. The festive season can be difficult to manage if you’re already struggling with money, so having a pot of savings – even if it’s just a small amount – to help you with additional costs means your cash flow can remain healthy. Ideally, you should be saving a little each month to go into an emergency fund to help you if you are faced with an emergency expense, so on the approach to Christmas, saving a little more than usual could be helpful. Of course, you could use the money from your emergency fund to help, but make sure you restore it as soon as possible.  If you’ve not had the chance to start saving yet, or you don’t have enough money left over to put a sum to one side, here are a few additional ways that you can save this winter.

Set a Festive Budget

With the Christmas season approaching, it can become difficult for those on low incomes, or those who don’t have a lot of cash left over after paying their bills. One of the best ways to manage the festive season is to create a budget. Simply set a specific amount to spend on gifts for each person – this way, you’re less likely to overspend, and you can create a budget that suits your cash flow. You could even handmake gifts for a more affordable, thoughtful alternative. Try not to buy too much – it’s easy to go overboard at Christmas, but only buying what you need means you can make your money go further. You could try changing supermarkets to a cheaper alternative for your festive food shop.

Turn your Heating Down

Energy costs are skyrocketing which means the amount you’re paying each month will too. Going into the winter, high energy bills are not ideal – we all deserve to live in a warm, cosy home. There are ways that you can bring down your monthly heating bills without having to completely go without. Experts say that turning your heating down by just 1 degree can have a huge impact on the money in your pocket each month, and you’re unlikely to notice the change in temperature. Turn your heating down so you can benefit from reduced bills, and warmth in the winter.

Switch off

Remember to turn your appliances off this winter. Although it may not seem like a big deal, and it can be difficult to remember when you’re busy – switching off electrical appliances when they’re not in use can save you money in the long run. Always turn your lights off when you leave a room, and make sure you turn your TVs and computers off completely when you’re not using them, instead of just turning them to standby.

Prepare your Home

To get the most from the heating that you’re using, make sure other areas of your home are prepared too. For example, identify drafts and eliminate them to stop the cold air from coming in and the warm air from going out. You should also ensure that your home is insulated correctly – both in your loft, and cavity walls. If your home isn’t insulated sufficiently, your heating will not be as effective, meaning you’ll spend more money on bills.