Here’s the prediction: You’re going to spend a lot of money this winter

It turns out that winter is characterized not only by the rain dripping down the windows, but also by the fact that the money drips out of our wallets. Why? The days get shorter and you have to switch lights on earlier, the weather cools down and there is need for heating as well as preparing the car for the winter. Winter clothing, which we usually need to complete, also costs quite a bit – and let’s not forget the viruses and eternal flu that add to the pharmaceutical budget.

The seasonal expenses of winter should not surprise us: they come every year in the same season. So why not prepare for them properly? Here are some tips for saving for rainy days.

Electricity, heating and lighting

1. Lighting: Buy energy-efficient light bulbs that cost a little more when purchased – but save a lot later on.
2. Darkroom: Turn off lights when leaving the room. There is no point in lighting up an empty room.”
3. Heating : Keyword: insulation. Close windows tightly and close doors of rooms you’re not in so that heating is concentrated only where it’s needed. It is also recommended to place the heater in a central place near an inner wall that better retains heat.
4. Use of Boiler: Cloudy days means planning days of showers. Instead of waiting a long time before showering or forgetting the boiler on for hours after the shower – install a Shabbat clock or timer on the boiler switch, set it to the hours adjacent to the hours when you need hot water.
5. Drying laundry: Take advantage of sunny days to hang your laundry outside, and combine using a tumble dryer with hanging on a drying rack.

 Interesting Links:

• On the IEC website you can find “Electricity Savings in Winter-Tips and Advice” ,  “Economical use of elcectrical appliances“, “Wise use of electricity in Winter“, :How much does it cost to heat your home“.

Winter clothing

1. Check inventory: Check what’s in family members’ closets: what clothes still fit from last year, what clothes can be transferred from an older child to a younger sibling. Decide which winter clothes you can give to friends and family and what clothes you can ask them for. At the top of the list: coats – an expensive item used by children for only one or two seasons.
2. List: After checking your inventory, make an organized list of items you need to buy this winter and take it with you to buy in bulk.
3. Second hand: Second hand has long been more than just a car. Today you can find second-hand clothing stores with a magnificent selection- buying second hand can save you hundreds of Shekels.
4. Buying online: Buying wisely online can save a lot of money.
5. “Smart” wardrobe: A good seasonal wardrobe mainly includes basic items (basic items that we use frequently and for a long time) and a few fashionable items. The basic items will serve you next year as well.
6. End-of-season shopping: If you can fully estimate your child’s size next year, buy clothes for next year at end-of-season deals.

Medication

1. Buy at your Kupat Holim Pharmacy: Prices for over-the-counter medications at the pharmacy are usually lower than those at pharma chains and private pharmacies. The gap can sometimes be significant. Are you already queuing up for a prescription drug anyway? Make a list of over-the-counter medications you need.
2. You are not a medicine depot: You are not a doctor so don’t turn your home into a pharmacy, buy medicines as needed and don’t overstock .There has never been a shortage of cold medicines in pharmacies.
3. Vitamins and supplements: Compare prices between stores. Usually there is a big difference in prices. In addition, check the feasibility of purchasing generic supplements and drugs – identical to the well-known brands but cheaper than them. Please note that the Ministry of Health’s approval of vitamins or nutritional supplements indicates that the product has been researched and indeed helps what is written on it (for example: strengthens the immune system), but rather the fact that it is permitted for use on humans.

And finally, the forecast: If you carefully prepare, this winter won’t add to your spending level any more than you planned.