Prepare Your Car for Cold Weather

As the temperatures plummet, the most important aspect of your car is that it continues to start and handles well even on icy roads. To protect against getting stranded, first check the battery, Consumer Reports says; if it’s five years old or weak already, replace it. Replace your wiper blades to ensure that they can quickly clear away the snow, mist and dirt that will kick up from the road in inclement weather. Check and top off (or change) the oil and antifreeze. And finally, consider investing in new tires — all-season radials or snow tires — if any of the tread on the current tires is getting low.

Keep Your Car Clean to Prevent Rust

Snow, ice and salt can wreak havoc on a car’s exterior. If you want to protect your investment and still navigate slippery highways and streets, wait until the temperature is above freezing, and wash your car down with warm water and soap, Safelite says, adding baking soda to the wash mixture if you drive on salted roads. Pay close attention to the undercarriage and wheels, since they have the most exposure to moisture and muck. Finally, dry the car completely. Repeat the process every two to three weeks to protect against the formation of rust.

KeepIng Your Car’s Interior Clean in Winter

Cars can take a beating in the dead of winter. Dead leaves, slush, snow, ice and road salt can build up inside, making it constant battle to keep a car clean and comfortable. Inside, keep a trash bag, since the winter weather may keep you from hopping out whenever you see a convenient receptacle. Invest in a set of weatherproof floormats to keep the carpeting clean. Have a small box of wipes ready to clean the glass and plastic surfaces. Or garage your “nice” car in winter, suggests CarThrottle, instead using public transportation or buying a beater that can handle the snowy, sloppy weather.

Save Money by Winterizing Your Home

There’s a chill in the air, and before you know it, there will be snow on the ground. That may sound like a harsh reality to contemplate in mid-October, but the good news is that you still have time to winterize your home in preparation for the colder temperatures.

Even if you live in a more temperate part of the country, a few quick, inexpensive steps will help you save money on utility bills throughout the winter months. Some can even make your home healthier and more comfortable while you save!

For example, the first thing to do — whether you own or rent — is to replace the furnace filters. This will help them run at optimum efficiency, saving money on gas bills, while also improving indoor air quality. If you have pets or allergies and can’t remember when you last replaced your furnace filters for a few months, the task is likely overdue.

Next, you should eliminate any drafts that might be allowing heat to escape from your home. Invest in doorway draft “snakes,” caulk and weatherstrip windows and doors, and pull out that window A/C unit. And to keep cold air on the outside of older, single-pane windows, LifeHacker says, tape bubble wrap to them or use a window insulation film.

Owners can improve their homes’ overall weather-readiness by adding insulation to walls, window frames, doorways, outlets, ducts, and especially attic floors and ceilings. And home-improvement guru Bob Vila recommends the installation of a programmable thermostat to avoid heating the house when you’re not there.

It’s also a good idea to insulate pipes, says Popular Mechanics. Not only will you pay less to heat water, you’ll protect your pipes against costly freezes and bursts during winter cold snaps. Foam pipe insulation is cheap and easy to install — and while you’re at it, “bleed” your water heater and turn it down to 120°F to save even more on utility costs.

Finally, The Art of Manliness says, take a cue from former president Jimmy Carter and put on a sweater! You’ll add about 4° of fully mobile warmth to your body, allowing you to lower the thermostat and potentially save hundreds of dollars. (Low on sweaters? Check out a local thrift store supplied by ClothingDonations.org to stock up on the cheap!)

Follow these tips, and you’ll be able to keep warm all winter long without breaking the bank.

Get the Garden Ready for Winter

To prepare your garden for winter, empty containers and pots and store them upside-down to protect them from damage, The Old Farmer’s Almanac advises. Keep the lawn mowed until snowfall to protect it from developing brown patches. Rake the leaves and compost them in a bin, or use them as a protective mulch for flower beds after shredding them with a lawnmower. When you’re done using the mower for the season, drain its fuel tank alongside other summer power tools. And finally, wash and oil your gardening tools before putting them away for the season.