The winter months can feel long and drawn in, with dark mornings and evenings, colder temperatures and weather that is less inviting to venture out in. 

Now that the festive period is behind you, it’s a great time to consider the year ahead, make some plans for the year ahead and to take a look at your likely outgoings and expenses to make sure you have those covered. 

Taking a look at your finances after Christmas can feel daunting, but it’s a great time to take stock of your starting point for the year, and to plan ahead for any known outgoings. 

This small change can offer longer term savings and could save you up to 10% off your annual energy bill. 

Ice build-up can mean your freezer has to work harder to regulate temperature, which in turn can increase energy consumption. 

They will have a social tariff scheme you can access and payment plans. It’s beneficial to have those early conversations before bills mount up.  

Keeping an eye on your energy usage and getting ahead of big bills can help you manage the financial pressure and ease any anxiety. 

Managing your money is important, but your self-care is too. Regular exercise and movement keeps your body warm, your blood circulating and is magic for our minds and wellbeing. Keep your social life active and make best use of activities in your community, meaning you don’t need to heat your home (our Carer Cafés are a great option for this). If you feel unable to attend cafés, alternating between friends’ homes means you can take in turns turning on the heating.