It's that time of year again. Cold mornings. Dark afternoons. Rain tapping on the windows while your phone tempts you with food delivery apps and online sales.
Winter has a way of encouraging at-home spending. A Friday takeaway here. Another streaming subscription there. Tickets for indoor entertainment because everyone's cooped up inside.
At the same time, winter gives you a chance to slow your routine and enjoy cosy evenings at home with your nearest and dearest. You do far less rushing around and perhaps spend a little extra time with family or friends. That slower pace of life can bring genuine comfort during colder months.
The truth is, you don't need to spend money to have a good winter weekend. Some of the best winter moments happen in track pants with warm food nearby and nowhere urgent to be.
Here are some ideas to get you started.
Turn your lounge room into a movie or games night
Pick one night each week. Pop phones in another room and pull extra blankets onto the couch. Make popcorn at home instead of ordering snacks.
Then, choose a theme. You could try:
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Old comedy films from the early 2000s
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Board games from the cupboard you almost never play
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Card games after dinner
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Trivia using free quiz apps
Families with younger kids can let each person pick one movie during the month. Couples might cook dinner together before the film starts. Friends can bring snacks they made from home rather than spending money during a night out.
Cook one winter meal from scratch each week
Takeaways are tempting at the best of times. Add cold weather and finishing work when it's dark outside, and it becomes harder to resist. But when it becomes a habit, the costs can add up quickly. So why not embrace the comfort of cooking a warm meal at home instead?
Try one new recipe each week and turn dinner into part of the evening entertainment.
Soup is a cheap and tasty classic because one pot feeds several people. Pasta bakes are also a crowd favourite. Slow-cooked meals are great because leftovers cover lunch the next day. Cook once, eat twice.
Try this approach:
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Pick recipes using ingredients you already have on hand.
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Invite children into the kitchen to help with safe jobs.
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Play music or podcasts while cooking.
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Freeze extra portions for busy evenings later in the week.
Try a slower weekend at home
Ever feel like you need a weekend to properly switch off and reset?
A slower weekend at home can be a good excuse to reconnect with the things you already enjoy but rarely make time for. Instead of filling every moment with plans, winter can be the perfect season to slow down and embrace simple comforts around the house.
You might:
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Read the book gathering dust beside your bed.
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Finish a puzzle left half done on the table.
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Sort through old family photos.
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Pick up hobbies like knitting, painting or baking.
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Watch documentaries or movies through free streaming services like ABC iview or your local library membership.
Sometimes the most relaxing weekends are the ones with nowhere to be and nothing to spend on.
Indulge in a home spa evening
Cold weather gives you a perfect excuse for a little self-pampering.
Home spa nights are great because they cost much less than dinner reservations or beauty appointments, and yet they still feel relaxing and special.
Light candles you already own. Use face masks from the chemist. Make a hot chocolate, and wear comfortable clothes. Bonus points if you have a bathrobe.
You could try:
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Journaling with a cup of tea
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Reading for one hour before bed
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Listening to podcasts under a blanket
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Foot soaks using warm water and bath salts
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Skin care routines with friends during a girls’ night in
Give your home a winter reset
Forget spring cleaning. Try a winter reset.
Don't overwhelm yourself. Get started with just one area, like a hallway cupboard, the kitchen drawers, or your wardrobe.
Donate or resell clothes you never wear. Fold blankets neatly inside baskets. Swap lightweight bedding for warmer textures. Even changing lamp bulbs from bright white to warmer tones can change the mood and feel of a room dramatically.
Find free and low-cost local winter activities
Libraries, galleries, museums, community markets, and local events give people something enjoyable during winter while costing very little.
Art galleries are also a wonderful way to spend a rainy afternoon. Talk a slow walk, admire the artworks, spend time indoors out of the cold, and enjoy something different from yet another shopping trip.
Spend your winter thoughtfully
Cold weather changes your routine, but that doesn't mean life pauses until spring returns.
Some of the best winter activities can be as simple as a tasty homemade meal made with love, a round of cards after dinner, or a Sunday morning curled up reading by the heater.
Use this quieter season to reconnect with both your loved ones and yourself, and spend less money at the same time.