It’s hard to believe how fast fall is flying by—there’s less than a week left in October! The season of caramel apples and colorful leaves will soon be gone and winter will be here before we know it. That’s why this week’s Thrifty Thursday blog post will focus on ways to winterize your vehicles and home in order to avoid costly repairs.
- Always check your car’s tire pressure when temperatures drop. Properly inflated tires are necessary for maintaining traction on roadways. Snow tires are also a good option, especially for Wisconsin winters; these tires may cost you a little extra cash, but they’ll save you from slipping and sliding when roadways get icy.
- Prepare an emergency kit to keep in your car, including: a blanket, warm clothing or an extra jacket, winter boots, water and food, a flashlight, a first aid kit, antifreeze, an ice scraper, and a small shovel.
- Seal up your home’s windows for the season to avoid cold air getting in. Cold drafts coming through windows and doors can make your heating costs soar, so taking the extra time to make sure your windows are shut tightly can save you some cash. An easy and inexpensive way to block cold air from coming into your house is to place towels at the bottom of doors in the door jam.
- An easy way to warm up your home without cranking the heat is by creating steam. Releasing steam into the air will help your home feel warmer. Take a hot shower, make tea, or cook up some pasta. You can also keep your oven door open after cooking or baking to release the heat into your home.
- Make sure your summer vehicles are safely stored for the season. Check the owner’s manuals on your vehicles for information on how to properly store them and contact your insurance agent to inform him or her that you are storing your vehicle for the winter. It may be possible to take the vehicle off your policy or reduce the coverage to save some money.
How do you save money on heating costs during the winter? #ThriftyThursday
— Community Insurance (@Community_Ins) October 25, 2012
Whether or not you are looking forward to colder weather, it will soon be here. Don’t let chilly temperatures catch you off guard—start preparing now!
-Sam