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 work, 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-week 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. Explore right outside your door.

We’re always looking for a getaway far from home, or the newest restaurant on the other side of town. What about your own backyard?

Spend your weekends inspecting your own neighbourhood, and you might be delighted in what you find. There are walking trails, bike paths and botanic gardens all around you waiting to be found. Check out your local council website to see what kind of adventures await you.

While you’re there, see what kinds of community events they have coming up – these are almost always free, keep you informed with your local area, and they’re a great way to meet like-minded people in your hood.

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.

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