If you’ve had a hectic and expensive summer you might be wondering how you’re going to get through winter without over relying on a credit card. With Christmas on the way and inevitably chillier weather too it might be worth cutting back costs in a few ways, so here are some ideas to help you achieve it:

Stop unnecessary spending

Whether it’s magazine subscriptions or gym memberships many of us have expenses we could do without. Canceling these can help you to save hundreds across the course of the year, so it’s well done. Take a look at your bank statements too as it can sometimes be easy to forget what you’re paying for. If you’re an impulse buyer it’s also worth taking steps to address this. Often it could simply be a case of taking a step back and giving yourself a couple of days to think before making a purchase or, if you’re food shopping, writing up a list of what you need beforehand and sticking to it rigidly. Planning your meals and snacks out for the week can help to make this easier.

Cut your energy bills

A good way of keeping your energy bills low is to learn whether you are getting the best deal from your energy supplier. If you find that your current energy plan is outdated and, therefore, is adding to unnecessary expenditure, you can consider switching suppliers. People across the globe seek out practices – augmenting power generation from renewable energy like solar and wind – and providers to reduce utility bills every year. In that regard, price comparison websites like Flagship Power can help you better understand different power plans and rates in the market, along with customer reviews for each plan. This could hugely benefit you in making an informed decision.

The cost of energy bills can shoot up during the winter months, so it’s worth doing what you can to reduce them. This means taking a good look at the health of your HVAC units to understand if they are the main source of the problem. Energy bills can snowball if your cooling or heating devices work inefficiently. Picture this: your furnace operates for only a minimal amount of time but your electricity bills that you get are too high to fathom. This may happen because your furnace is too old to function efficiently — perhaps it is consuming more power to meet your desired comfort. In doing so, it is only adding more to your expenses. The smart move would be to replace the existing furnace with a new heating installation.

Expenses like these might seem costly, but it is only because they are out of turn. But truth be told, homes with ill-functioning HVACs end up spending a lot more in energy bill overheads over two winters than what it would cost to buy a brand new heating unit. And considering that an HVAC unit can last up to 10 years and more with routine maintenance, the savings are immense in the long term. But if you are still feeling skeptical about the decision, then do not hesitate on consulting a professional near you. Do not worry about the expenses. Some HVAC service providers can be really affordable. All you have to do is find them out. A good example of this could be Sandri Energy. You can learn about them in detail on the Internet.

As said earlier, you can consider shopping around to see if a better deal is available with another provider and taking steps to avoid waste. Even paying by direct debit can help, as this can cut costs and help you avoid missing payments. Few people would want to have to apply for a credit card to cover their bills, so it might also be a good idea to invest in double glazing or draught proofing to keep the heat in and make a change in the long term. If you really want to make a difference to your bills in the long-term, as well as help the environment, you could consider investing in residential solar installation and harnessing the power of the sun to power your home. While the initial cost is high, this will prove itself to be very much worth it over time.

Handle your credit cards more effectively

Many people have credit cards but not everyone uses them in the most cost effective fashion. It’s always a good idea to find a decent interest rate, but remember too additional payments can be avoided all together by paying off your balance in full and on time each month. If you having existing debts it might also be worth looking in to making a balance transfer. A number of cards offer 0 per cent interest for a limited amount of time, allowing you to clear what you owe in a more manageable way.