Winter Is Coming: How To Prepare For The Expenses

November 06, 2017

I woke up this morning realizing it was time to put snow tires back on my car. This does not thrill me. However, since we moved to NJ from Bermuda, I’ve learned the hard way that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to winter. Making smart decisions before the season arrives can save you lots of money:

Prepare your home for cold weather

Simple steps can help you save on heating costs, and avoid expensive repairs like a burst pipe or fallen gutter:

  • Get a tune-up for your heating system and change the filters. Check with your utility company to see if they’ll send a technician for an energy audit.
  • Turn off the water that leads to the outside spigots so those pipes don’t freeze and burst. (Learned from experience!)
  • Install programmable thermostats. Ours are set to 65 at night and 68 during the hours when we are home. We’ve saved hundreds every season by doing this.
  • Clean your gutters in late fall. A gutter stuffed with leaves can freeze and fall, possibly damaging the house or roof. (Yes, that also happened to us, even though we had gutter leaf guards).
  • Check your windows. Are caulking, plastic covers or new energy efficient storm windows needed?
  • Call the tree company If you have a lot of mature trees on your property, have an arborist check them once a year. Trimming dead branches and cutting down deceased or dying trees can save you the thousands you would spend if something fell on your house (or the neighbor’s house).

For more home winter tips, see this Popular Mechanics article.

Winter-proof your car

Preventive maintenance now can prevent expensive repairs later and help keep you safe in a storm. For more details see 5 Steps to Preparing Your Car for Winter. Make sure you:

  • Put on snow tires and get the car realigned
  • Check the battery
  • Change the oil, refill the windshield wiper fluids and check engine coolant and antifreeze
  • Keep your fuel tank at least half full

Don’t forget to put a winter survival kit of emergency supplies in your trunk, in case you are stuck in a storm and need to wait it out.

Check your family’s winter gear

Make sure everyone tries on their winter coats and snow gear before it gets cold! Do the kids’ boots and coats still fit?

  • Stock up on extra gloves, scarves and hats – you know the kids are going to lose some of them.
  • Replace outgrown items at a discount. Check for Black Friday sales, coupons and discounts at your preferred department stores if you need to replace anything. I usually replace the kids’ snow boots and outerwear at sports consignment shops as they may grow out of them in less than one season.

You know winter is coming. Don’t wait to get ready. Depending on where you live, you may have 2-6 weekends left before the snow arrives! Use them wisely to save yourself money and hassles during the cold weather season.

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