How to Prepare for Unexpected Costs and Reduce Expenses During Winter

As winter settles in for good, so do the annual expenses like cold weather wear for the kids, winter tires, and higher heating bills. Unexpected costs like a broken snowblower, burst water pipe, broken furnace, and the like can also leave us feeling less than prepared monetarily. Here are our best tips for avoiding debt and getting the most out of the winter season.

1. ANNUAL WINTER EXPENSES | There are certain expenses we just can’t avoid when winter comes around. Gloves go missing (why is it usually just the left one?), kids grow out of their boots and snow gear (sometimes twice in one season), and winter tires never seem to last the promised four years. Follow these excellent suggestions to reduce spending while preparing for and enjoying the winter season.

• Car Tune Up | Not only do winter tires make your car more reliable and safer during the snowy, icy months, it’s also the law in some provinces. There are some expenses we cannot avoid, and this is one of them.
  • If you have budgeted for a new set of winter tires, shop around for incentives. For example, sometimes tire centers like Costco will offer a gift card with the purchase of a set of tires. Use that gift card to buy winter gear or car accessories for even more savings.
  • If you cannot afford a new set of tires, try looking for a used tire warehouse. These warehouses also sell new tires and car accessories. They can resell decent used tires at a reasonable price and have the knowledge and experience to make sure you get the right ones.
  • Once you have your tires lined up, make sure you get a winter oil change and maintenance done on your car. Not only will this prolong the life of your vehicle and make for safer driving, but it will also set the odds of an unexpected breakdown in your favour.
• Winter Gear | No matter how careful you are at setting aside your winter gear, something is always missing when you bring it back out. Kids often outgrow their previous snow wear, and sometimes younger siblings skip those sizes altogether.
  • Utilize Facebook’s Marketplace or Kijiji and look for lightly used items. While some kids out their snow-pants, more often than not, they barely get worn before they grow out of them.
  • Shop the sales in the spring, even if it doesn’t feel right. The best deals on snow gear are in late spring or early fall when retail stores are clearing old stock. You could even put aside $20 a month during the year, so when the time comes, you can take advantage of a good sale without messing up your regular budget.
  • Adult winter gear is not cheap, even second hand. Keep in mind that you will likely not be growing out of the clothes and see the value in spending a little more for quality; in the end, it will last longer than something cheap.
• Heating Bills | Even if it just for a brief period, 25 below weather can wreak havoc with your utility budget.
  • Rethink your heating system. In addition to your primary heating system, consider installing a woodstove or updating your fireplace. You can gain degrees of heat for less of an expense than if you were to raise the thermostat.
  • Installing a smart thermostat is a huge money saver. Lower the temperature by one degree while you sleep, when you are out of the house, and keep it warm when you need it the most.
  • Little changes go a long way. Try installing new weatherstrips on your doors, finding a favourite new pair of slippers or a cozy sweater, etc. You will quickly see those little efforts save a lot over the winter season.

2. UNEXPECTED WINTER EXPENSES | Just when you think you are all organized and budgeted for the season…life happens. Not only do Canadian winters bring extremely cold temperatures, but we also seem to see way more snowstorms, freezing rain and back-to-back fluctuations in temperature than ever before. Do your best to stay one step ahead of Mother Nature with these tips.

• Furnace Repair | Nothing is worse than losing your heating on the coldest day of the year. Do your best to prepare for one of the most stressful and expensive things that can happen when you own your own home.
  • Prepare ahead. Homeowners often put off updating their furnace system because it is such a considerable expense. Avoid the unexpected aspect by regularly maintaining your furnace and accessories, changing your filters, and installing a new one when it is time.
  • Budget for the unexpected with an emergency fund. You can try these simple suggestions to help you budget for major repairs, like furnace repair or a burst pipe.
• Broken Snow Equipment | Have you ever waited for the first significant snowstorm to discover that your shovel is cracked or your snowblower no longer functions. These events can be costly when you are least prepared.
  • Check out the prices of snow removal in your neighbourhood. More often than not, companies offer better deals when multiple homes from the same street request their services.
  • If hiring a snow removal team is not in your budget, try investing in a second-hand snowblower. There are plenty of gently used items at a reasonable price.
  • There is Nothing wrong with a good old shovel either. Plenty of options include an ergonomic design, making it easier to manage large loads of heavy snow.
• Acts of God | The most frustrating of unexpected expenses has got to be those that we really cannot anticipate. Damages to your home and car from fallen branches, trees, and large hail storms are rare but disastrous when they do occur.
  • Trimming and maintaining the trees on your property is essential in avoiding costly repairs to your home from fallen branches or unearthed trees. Contact Hydro to see about free trimming of any branches that affect their wires to save on trimming expenses.
  • If you have a garage, use it. You will rest easy the next time a massive winter storm passes through your area, knowing your car is safe and sound.
  • Check Groupon or Tuango for deals on car repair. They are most usually reputable mechanics looking for new clients.

If you are caught off guard with a considerable expense, 24Cash is here for you. A Canadian company supporting hard-working fellow Canadians, the online process is quick and straightforward.