It’s no secret that Americans increase their spending during the winter months. With soaring energy bills, holiday events and gift giving, it oftentimes can be difficult to remain within your budget. To help you keep some money in your pocket, here are 3 ways to cut your winter costs:
1. Decrease Your Energy Bills
It is easy to rack up heavy electric bills, especially during the winter months. When looking for ways to save on your energy bills the following can help:
• Install a programmable thermostat
• Seal all leaks around windows, doors, ducts or pipes
• Replace traditional bulbs and turn off
• Upgrade your appliances and unplug
• Reduce hot water use
• Add insulation to unheated areas of your home
2. Save On The Holiday Parties
Just because you are looking for ways to save money during the winter months, doesn’t mean you have to skip out on holiday parties. Instead of cooking everything yourself, we suggest having a potluck where everyone brings a dish. Another up-and-coming trend is house hopping, in which the party switches houses for each course. This way you are not responsible for the whole dinner and everyone is able to show off their houses.
3. Avoid Overspending While Holiday Shopping
Before you hit the stores this holiday season, make a list of who you will be shopping for and stick to it. Keep your gift list limited to close friends and family. Heartfelt season’s greetings for coworkers and acquaintances will suffice. In addition, avoid over spending by figuring out how much you want to spend on each person before you start shopping, as well as compare prices before buying. A tip for you is to pay for gifts using cash, instead of a credit card, to avoid spending twice as much as you intended.
With the right planning, the winter months don’t have to give you a headache, while depleting your savings. William Wolske, CPA wants to be sure you are making good money decisions. Schedule your free consultation today to receive assistance when it comes to handling your finances and money saving goals. Contact our offices at 843.706.9644 or stop by our offices. We’ll go through your financial situation together, so you can have a financially happy new year!