25 Cold Weather Hacks to Help You Save Money and Survive This Winter

What It Does: Measures your tire tread 
Cost: A penny

Some motorists are savvier than others when it comes to doing winter checks. Some just hope for the best, while others give their cars a little bit of TLC when the weather starts to turn. The latter is always the safer option. To check that your tire tread is at the legal limit, you can use a penny. 

Check Your Tires With A Penny ©Carlos da Cunha / Shutterstock.com

Turn the penny upside down so that Abe Lincoln’s head is facing you and insert the coin into the tread. If you’ve got enough to last you, then the top of Lincoln’s head will disappear. If Lincoln’s head is visible, it’s time to think about calling Goodyear and getting a brand new set.

What It Does: Takes pills off sweaters
Cost: $1/Free* 

Sweaters are great cozy things to wear in winter, but they don’t always wash that well. After a few wears, it’s normal for sweaters to start to pill and get little balls of fluff building up. Don’t throw away the sweater and think it’s had it – just shave it! 

Use A Razor To De-Pill Sweaters @kareemlincoln / Pinterest.com

Take a disposable razor and lightly drag it across the material. The razor will take away all the bobbles and leave you with a revived outfit that looks just as good as the day you bought it from Amazon. 

What It Does: Stops your tires from slipping 
Cost: $3* 

It’s easy to think that cycling anywhere in winter is off the cards, but it doesn’t have to be. You can still cycle without investing in special winter tires. Although we would always recommend getting the proper tires to minimize any accidents, if you’re in a pinch, then cable ties can help. 

Create DIY Snow Tires @zzflutterby / Pinterest.com

Cut the cable ties to size and attach them around the tire every couple of inches. It might not seem like a lot, but this will provide some much-needed grip when you need it most. If you’re saving for a new set of tires, then this could be a good stop-gap. 

What It Does: Makes shoes waterproof 
Cost: $1* 

Not every shoe is waterproof. Some of us learn that the hard way in winter by getting completely soaked to the bone. There’s nothing worse than having cold, wet feet, but you may not need to splash the cash on a fancy pair of boots. Just get some wax – even a white candle will do – and rub it on your material shoes. 

Rub Wax On Shoes @writedreams57 / Pinterest.com

When done correctly, the wax will dry clear and provide you with protection against rain. It’s not 100% foolproof so don’t go jumping in any puddles just yet, but it will help you stay dry in showers and unexpected bad weather. 

What It Does: Keeps the heat in 
Cost: Free 

If you’ve got a bunch of old quilts laying around and a drafty window that needs fixing, you could have a solution to all your problems. Getting new windows fitted is expensive at the best of times, but there are things you can do to help in the meantime. Take the old quilt and fashion it into a roller blind. 

Use Old Quilts As Curtains @homesteadingusa / Pinterest.com

When the nights draw in or the weather turns particularly cold, just let the blind down. The thickness of the blind helps keep the heat in the cold out, making for an upcycling, waste-free miracle. 

What It Does: Stops your toilet seat from getting cold 
Cost: Free/$1* 

Bathrooms can get really cold in the winter because they’re made of tile and metal. Sitting down on the toilet first thing can be a wake-up call when it’s super chilly, but instead of shocking your derriere at the crack of dawn (pardon the pun) try putting a pair of socks on the seat. 

Put Socks On Your Toilet Seat @eslamoda / Pinterest.com

The socks will feel less cold when you sit down, which will make for a more pleasant and comfortable experience. Considering the hygiene implications, we would recommend putting on a fresh pair every day!

What It Does: Stops boots from creasing 
Cost: $5* 

Boots are a staple in any winter wardrobe, but they can be difficult to store. Leave them to flop over and the leather can crease, making them less aesthetically pleasing than usual. You don’t have to shell out a fortune on fancy boot products to remedy this. Just buy a pool noodle or two. 

Use Pool Noodles To Keep Boots Upright @janavalasek / Pinterest.com

You can cut the noodle in half and stick them inside the boots when you’re not using them. The noodle will keep the boot upright, making them look tidier when they’re stored and preserving their shape for longer. 

What It Does: Keeps your feet dry 
Cost: $1* 

Let’s face it, winter fashion is great, but you can’t always rock up to the office in a pair of Wellington boots and still look professional. If you don’t have far to go, need to wear shoes, and still want to keep your feet dry, then this hack is for you. 

Put Plastic Bags Inside Your Socks @stephibee / Pinterest.com

Get some clear plastic bags and put them on underneath your socks. That way, you can put your shoes on and if you do happen to get wet, your feet will still be dry. All the while, you’ll still look effortlessly stylish – if you keep the bags hidden!

What It Does: Unfreezes locks 
Cost: $2* 

If your car has been sat on the driveway in sub-zero temperatures for a couple of days and you find yourself struggling to get the key into the lock, don’t panic. You don’t necessarily need to pour boiling water over it and risk damaging your car. 

UnFreeze Locks With Hand Sanitizer ©BACHTUB DMITRII / Shutterstock.com

You can pour hand sanitizer over it instead. The chemicals in the sanitizer will unfreeze your locks in a matter of moments. Considering the times we’re living in, most of us have some hand sanitizer lying around.

What It Does: Gives you extra grip 
Cost: $2/Free* 

No one wants to be slip-sliding all over town when the weather turns cold, and no matter how good the soles of your shoes are, it might be a little bit of a struggle. You can give yourself a bit of an extra helping hand by drilling screws into the bottom of your shoes. 

Drill Screws Into Shoe Soles @lils1989 / Pinterest.com

Of course, this needs to be done with care and precision and only on thick-soled shoes. It certainly wouldn’t work with ballet flats and it wouldn’t be wise with high heels, either. But if you’re looking to get a bit of an extra kick out of a pair of hiking boots, it’s worth considering. 

What It Does: Stops the snow sticking to it 
Cost: $2* 

If you’re extra prepared and have a snow shovel handy for when the weather starts to turn, then you might want to consider stocking up on cooking oil spray, too. Before you go to shovel snow, spray your shovel with it. 

Spray Your Shovel With Cooking Spray @hollyhomer / Pinterest.com

This helps to protect the shovel and the snow will easily slide off, meaning you won’t have to throw it or shake it rigorously in order to get all of the snow off. Plus, if you happen to pick up any hidden nasties in the snow, they’ll slide right off. 

What It Does: Stops your wipers from freezing 
Cost: Free (if you have a spare pair)*

Yes, it looks a little weird. Yes, your neighbors might ridicule you – but you’ll have the last laugh when your wipers aren’t stuck together in the morning. Putting a pair of socks on your wipers will save you so much trouble in the morning. 

Put Socks On Your Wipers @tawamglobaleirl / Pinterest.com

We’re not saying that they won’t be cold and a little frosty, but the blades won’t be frozen which means less chance of them ripping when you switch them on. Plus, most of us have a pair of socks lying around, so this hack is totally free. 

What It Does: Helps tires get a grip in snow and ice 
Cost: $5* 

We all know that throwing a ton of rock salt out onto the pavement or driveway is the best way to melt the ice, but what if you run out and need to get somewhere fast? Icy roads are no joke, and simply getting out of your parking spot can be a tricky business. 

Use Cat Litter For Tire Traction @ella777111 / Pinterest.com

If you’re out of salt or simply want a low-cost way of giving your tires some traction, keep a bag of kitty litter in the trunk of your car. Kitty litter is a lot like grit in consistency and it will help you move off in no time. Plus, it can cost less than $5 at stores like Walmart. 

What It Does: Heats up small places 
Cost: $5-$10* 

This may not be the cheapest hack on this list, but it is one of the most ingenious. All you need for this is some tealight candles and some clay pots. By arranging the candles underneath one of the upturned pots and lighting them, you can create a DIY mini heater. 

Make A DIY Clay Warmer @natadr1965 / Pinterest.com

Of course, this contraption doesn’t give out a ton of heat, but it’ll work wonders if you’re looking for an extra boost of warmth while you’re camping. It could even make a nice centerpiece on the table. The best part? You could also decorate the clay warmers, or paint them.