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Living in Great Britain is fantastic for a lot of reasons, but this Winter there is a shared anxiety over how we are all going to make it through and pay our bills. While each individual household has its own needs, there are certain things we can all do to make the cold months a little bit easier together. Here are four tips for if you are struggling in Winter 2022.

Join money saving social media groups

One of the best things about the internet is the sense of community and togetherness that it has given us. We felt it during the lockdowns of the last few years, and I feel it again as we step into a shared cost of living crisis, as people come together to share tips and tricks for saving money. This includes cooking meals on a budget, finding ways to preserve heat in the house, tips for a frugal Christmas and so much more. Groups on social media are a fantastic resource for advice on whatever you need to know. 

Consider a cash boost to invest in keeping warm

Instead of turning the heating on this Winter, many people are investing in oversized hoodies, blankets and long hot water bottles as cheaper ways to warm the house. And while they are cheaper overall, they do require an initial outlay. Payday loans are a great way to cover immediate costs so that you can spread repayments over coming months, making the expenses of keeping warm much more manageable. It is important to remember that short term loans are excellent for providing financial relief in an emergency but should never be relied on as a long term solution.

Find out if you are entitled to any government support

While costs are climbing and bills are soaring, there are some programmes that the government has brought out to give eligible families a bit of support with their expenses. It is worth going on to the government website and finding out if there is anything that you are entitled to, as this can help you get through the Winter months. It may be that your specific circumstances entitle you to a bit more financial support, which can make all of the difference between struggling and being comfortable.

Talk to your family about scaled back celebrations

If you are struggling this Winter, then there is a high chance that your other family members are struggling too, and they might be relieved to hear the suggestion of scaling back any seasonal celebrations this year. You could organise a Secret Santa so that each person only has one other person to buy a present for, or a large meal where each person contributes one dish so that you are spreading the cost of your festive food. Cutting back on costs might even give you the chance to form new family traditions that you will enjoy for many years to come.

 

If you are worried about the cost of living this Winter, make sure you speak up so that we can all share advice together. Please drop your tips in the comments below!