7 Ways to Save Money When Seasons Change
Is it weird to be stoked about soup weather?
You know, that slightly chilly, crisp breeze, getting darker earlier, need a heavier jacket kind of weather.
I fucking love it.
A change in season also means we start rotating out our summer wardrobes and items for sturdier boots or getting the furnace ready for colder temps.
Season changes can be hard on a budget so I’m going to share some tricks for making soup weather (or slip n slide weather) a little easier on your wallet.
Invest in Vacuum Saver Bags
An easy way to give your budget a break is to get some vacuum saver bags to store seasonal clothes or other items like bedding. There’s no reason to throw out perfectly good clothing just because it’s out of season. By properly storing seasonal clothes you can ensure they last years. I mean, if you plunk down a few hundred on a good coat, you want that shit to last right?
You can find them pretty easily. Walmart has a good selection online and I even find them at the Walgreens around the corner from my house.
If you don’t have a vacuum, no worries. You can find some with hand pumps or ones that you can roll the air out of and seal just as well.
They’re water-tight and air-tight so you don’t have to worry about mold, moths, or other things ruining your clothes. Not to mention it saves storage space.
Pretreat Shoes to Withstand Snow or Rain
First off let me just get this off my chest as a former customer service rep for a shoe retailer…
Ugg are not made for the snow.
I repeat.
UGGS ARE NOT MADE FOR THE SNOW.
Okay, now that that’s out of the way, it’s important to clean and treat shoes correctly so they not only last, but you’re not constantly getting gross street snowmelt in your shoes.
First thing is to check with the manufacturer to see if they have a preferred way to treat their products. I know I said Uggs aren’t for the snow, but they have other styles that are and they make their own brand of snow/rain protectants to help keep things like salt stains or debris from ruining the material.
If the brand doesn’t have its own care instructions, check out this article from Vessi that has more of a step-by-step process. Remember to treat shoes based on the material.
It also does help to fully wash your shoes (as long as the material can withstand that) to completely remove any dirt, debris, or salt from the fabric either before you treat the shoes or before you store them away for the next season.
Store Things Correctly
How much does it suck to pull out a seasonal item only to find it all fucked up because you threw it in the hall closet and totally forgot about it?
Whether you’re putting it away for the season or just the weekend, make sure if something has a particular storage requirement, you’re doing it.
Tall boots should have supports inside to keep them from slouching. I just use pool noodles. Cheap and effective.
Sweaters shouldn’t be hung because it wears the seams at the shoulders. Fold them instead.
Recreational gear should be cleaned and stored to avoid issues that might make them unsafe to use later. This goes for clothing that you need for it too like life jackets, ski pants or gloves, etc.
Service Your Car
Whether we’re going into winter or summer, you should make sure your vehicle is ready to withstand specific seasonal changes. Obviously, regular maintenance is important all year round, but check certain things that are more weather specific to make sure your car runs efficiently and safely.
Tires are a big one to check. Some of you might need to put on winter tires to account for heavy snowfall and sleet. Also, check if you have the correct kind of snow chains IN YOUR CAR. Doesn’t help anyone if they're sitting in the garage. Regardless of season, always check for cracks, the tread, air pressure and make sure to rotate them too.
Making sure the fluids in your car are at the correct levels is important too. Extreme temperatures, either hot or cold, can change the efficacy of certain fluids (like your wiper fluid) which can lead to more serious damage to hoses or parts.
Check those wiper blades for cracks and make sure to replace them as needed. While you’re at it, check all your hoses, belts, and plugs as well as your battery. All those things can wear harder in extreme weather and the last thing you need is your battery dying in the middle of a snowstorm.
Winterize Those Pipes!
Prepping your home for seasonal changes is important too! That can have a major effect on utility bills and prevent emergency repairs.
In the Summer:
Clean our fridges/freezers, check drip trays, and clean vents. Remember, the more you pack in them, the more they have to work to keep things cold or frozen which means more strain on their components and more energy consumption.
Clean out your lint trap and air vents. Clogged vents are a fire waiting to happen. These should be cleaned 1-2 times a year. Also, make sure you’re replacing your air filters.
Check your AC unit. In extreme heat, these break down all the time. Check it before it’s 116 degrees outside.
Check for leaks around sinks, dishwashers, and outdoor hoses. Summer in some places means humidity and leaks plus humidity means mold which can cost THOUSANDS to get rid of.
In the Winter:
Check/clean fireplaces, chimneys, furnaces, and water heaters.
Check window and door insulation.
Get your pipes prepped for cold weather and reset your watering schedule.
Trim trees and foliage to avoid them buckling and causing structural damage.
All Year:
Clean out rain gutters and downspouts
Check appliances for maintenance
Check smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors
Check electrical cords for fraying.
Make sure fire extinguishers are charged.
There are tons more and all are important to keep on top of throughout the year. If you want a more detailed list, check out this one from Better Homes & Gardens.
Pets Need Seasonal Care Too.
You aren’t the only one that needs winter boots. Animals need special seasonal care too. Salt can be super irritating to dogs' paws so it’s a good idea to get them winter booties if you walk them near streets that have been treated. Those booties also come in handy in the summer when sidewalks and asphalt can cause 3rd-degree burns in seconds.
Do you have extra bowls of water around during the hotter months? If not, put out a few more to avoid them getting dehydrated. Also look into treats that like watermelon, cucumber or homemade popsicles to keep them cool.
Do you have animals that have different habits during winter or summer? Make sure you outfit their areas with whatever they need to keep their natural rhythm of life.
Prep for flea and tick season with either store-bought treatments or make an appointment with your vet.
Making sure your pets (cats, dogs, or exotics) are prepped for seasonal changes not only keeps them comfortable but also helps you avoid emergency vet bills.
Real People Answers
I asked on Twitter and Instagram what other people do to prepare for seasonal changes and here are some of the answers I got.
“Start washing my blankets and pillows, check my boots, socks, and tights inventory.” - @yankeebabenv
“Sort pantry out. Move older things in the freezer to the front, make sure I am using it up first.” @DisabledGirlOnFire
“I’ve been freezing meals (soups and curries) to prep. Food prices are really going up.” - @JudiTalksMoney
“Furnace cleaning and now tires on the car!” - @lalalareesa
“Seal the windows with plastic.” - @DebtFreeSpending
Use those Benefits
This tip comes from Disabled Girl on Fire and it’s such a good one. If you have insurance, start scheduling out your annual check-ups before the end of the year to avoid deductibles restarting or losing FSA funds. Just remember to be open to appointment times because winter has a lot of people taking time off because of the holidays.
This is Financial Preparedness
Managing money isn’t always about what you deposit in your savings account, what you put into retirement, or how much debt you pay off. It’s also how you maximize your money by either not letting it go to waste or getting ahead of costly emergencies.
Yes, it’s a pain to have to schedule an appointment for someone to look at your car or check your water heater. However, that 10-minute phone call, 30-minute appointment, and $100 service fee can save you thousands in repair bills.
I know putting extra time into washing, treating, and storing your collection of winter boots is time-consuming, but it extends the life of your boots so you’re not spending hundreds each winter replacing them or getting sick because your feet are always cold and wet.
It’s adult shit y’all and unfortunately, we have to do it.
Give your wallet a break by making sure you’re taking care of things while they’re still in good condition.
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