10 ways to save money this winter

1 Put up heavy drapes
Put these over windows that feel drafty as they will help keep the air inside. They can be purchased ready-made from curtain and home stores. Or go to a fabric shop, buy some thermal drapery fabric, hop on to Google and learn to make your own. Always close curtains as soon as the sun starts disappearing to keep in the heat from the day.
2 Take advantage of the sun
It's free heat, so keep windows that are facing direct sunlight open during the day.
3 Cook up a hearty stew
Opt for crockpot meals like soups and stews at least once a week. This saves energy costs by cooking everything in one pot, and you keep warm while consuming it.
If there are leftovers, put them in a plastic container for use when you would rather not cook, which will save money on buying takeaways.
4 Turn it off at night
Leaving the TV on standby can use a lot of energy. Think about how many clocks you really need in the kitchen and turn the microwave off at the wall when not using it.
5 'Winterise' your car
For better fuel efficiency put de-icer in your windshield wiper solvent, which should reduce the amount of time you leave the car running before driving, thus contributing to fuel efficiency.
6 Buy thermals
As tempting as it may be to refresh the wardrobe for the new season, buying woollen jackets and tops can be expensive. Buy some thermal singlets, which will cost less than $30 and will keep you warm, enabling you to wear lighter clothes from previous seasons.
7 Play the old-fashioned way
Instead of going out or having the TV on all day, entertain the family on cold weekends by dusting off the board games and packs of cards.
8 Take shorter showers
Possibly one of the hardest things to do on a frosty winter morning is get out of a steaming hot shower, but taking shorter showers reduces water heating costs.
9 Underfloor insulation
It may cost money now, but with the government subsidy and the fact it will keep the heat in your home for many winters to come, it could not be a better investment.
10 Make your home airtight
Look for any gaps in doors and windows and try to cover them up. This will keep precious heat from escaping.