Sylvester Knox, Financial Advisor, Talks Eliminating Winter Costs

Winter is possibly the worst season for spending. The holidays cost plenty, we regularly need to buy heavy jackets and boots, and we are cooped up inside for days at a time. All of this leads to a perfect storm that drains our bank accounts for months. Now that we have entered spring, it is time to start thinking of ways we can cut back on winter costs and save money during the other seasons. It may be hard to know where to start, so here are some easy places to cut back on spending after winter ends.

Indoor Entertainment

During New Jersey winters, you are confined to your house most days. Harsh snow and ice storms leave us with no choice but to find ways to stay entertained inside. This time of the year is when you’ll find most northerners sitting on the couch watching Netflix or Hulu. Many people also take advantage of Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales to buy new electronics, which leads to more indoor time. Once the weather becomes less frigid, we can easily cut down on costs by cancelling some subscriptions and finding less-expensive ways to spend time — especially outdoors.

Gym Membership

Going to the gym is hard in winter, but you may have gained momentum and are going frequently. If this is the only way you will exercise, then you should keep your membership. However, most of us would rather go for a run outside or play a pick-up game of basketball or football. Spring is when outdoor activities become more prevalent, so take advantage of the nice weather and get your exercise outside.

Delivery Costs

Winter is a stressful time of the year, and many people fall into a routine of ordering delivery regularly. This heavy food matches the season, whereas light and fresh food signifies spring. Most areas will have farmers markets that pick back up in the spring and run through fall, so you can buy fresh produce to use in your meals. Once the weather is nice, you can also grill outside, or even cook hot dogs over a fire. Although it may be tempting to order delivery again, resist the urge and look for ways you can cook tastier meals at home.

Although none of these options alone may make much of a difference on their own, added together, you could easily save hundreds of dollars each month. Over time, you could save thousands that can go toward things you really care about. Consider the progress you could make toward saving or paying debt if you had that money. If you do, I’m sure you’ll want to find ways to cut down your winter costs this spring.