7 fun ways to save in winter

Don’t get the blues this winter. Use it as an opportunity to budget, save and make it rain.

Frosty mornings, short days and cold nights. Sounds like the perfect time to rug up and save some money. Instead of dreading winter, make it a season to stay indoors and fatten up your bank account.

Here’s how to get financially ahead when you’re inside hibernating:

1. Swap cocktails for the cinema

Summer is synonymous with hot nights, long days and Aperol spritzes. And although it’s fun to have a drink on your favourite city rooftop after restrictions, it can quickly make a dent in your bank account.

So, while it’s dark and gloomy, ditch the night out for a night in at the cosiest cinema in town - yours.You can even channel your inner David and Margaret by getting your family and friends to rate the film afterwards.

Feeling a little extra? Take your cinema game to the next level and borrow a projector, grab some bean bags and set up a DIY dessert and popcorn bar.

2. Sign up to Dry July

Do your liver and wallet a favour – go dry this July and help raise funds to improve the comfort and wellbeing of people affected by cancer. You’ll not only feel great for helping a great cause, but a month without booze will help make hard cash your next liquid asset.

Sign up now.

3. Winter-proof your home

Keep those energy bills low and the house temp high. Before the cold weather officially sets in, spend a little time prepping your house for winter. From window seals and insulation to funky rugs and virtual fireplaces, you can turn your home into a winter wonderland.

Discover more fun and easy ideas here.

4. Ditch the disco for dumbbells

You know what they say, “summer bodies are made in winter.” So, while it’s cold outside, why not spend some time giving your body a workout, not your wallet?

If you’re lacking motivation, invite a friend to be your gym buddy or sign up to an 8-weight fitness challenge – you’ll love the body and bank account transformation.

5. Host a dinner party

If you’re a foodie, save money on fancy degustations and deconstructed sushi by hosting your own dinner party. Choose a theme, a dress code and cuisine and go all out.

You can save money by shopping for ingredients at a market and buying table decorations from discount department stores (like Kmart, Big W or Ikea). And in exchange for your home cooking, ask your friends to bring a bottle and that takes care of the bar. Or even better, host a pot luck dinner party and make masterchefs out of your guests.

6. Get ahead on your home loan

While you’re spending more time in front of Netflix, create a plan to make some additional repayments towards your home loan.

Estimate how much you would normally spend on a night out and use that figure as your saving guide. And at the end of winter, transfer the funds into your home loan account. Remember, every dollar counts and helps reduce the interest you pay.

7. Join a city tour

With all of us staying closer to home throughout restrictions, your next adventure could be in the big smoke. City tours are a wonderful way to re-discover hidden gems and learn a little history on foot. You can even choose tours based on your interests (food, fashion, history) to ensure you’ll have a good time.

Love or hate winter, it’s a great time to change your spending habits and save. By discovering new hobbies, giving up alcohol, re-exploring your city or working on your fitness, you may just end up falling in love with the cold.

This article is prepared by mebank based on general information. It does not take into account individual financial objectives or needs and is not financial product advice.