How do survive the cold winter and keep warm without upping your energy bill? We have all the cozy tips to help you warm up without touching that thermostat!
Minnesotans know a thing or two about the cold. Trust me when I say, you don’t have to have an enormous energy bill when the temperature drops! There are more than a few things you can do to keep yourself feeling comfortable all winter long.
So Cold!
Wow! This has been a couple crazy winter weeks for us her in Minnesota!
It was quite the shock to return from Walt Disney World to the coldest temperatures of the winter!
We have had a very mild winter so far. There was almost no snow to speak of, everyone was outside because it was so warm it felt like Spring. However, that all changed last week! While I was getting so excited for the family (especially the kids!) to have some space from each other following a week together in Disney… we got slammed with -40 degree weather! Right off the bat, the kids had three days of school called off, and eventually one more was added to the list. That’s four more days that we were all stuck inside without a break from one another!
Don’t get me wrong, I love the extra time with the kiddos. I love sleeping in, cuddling close to keep warm, and just relaxing. …but we were going on 13 days together! They finally got to school on Friday, but guess what? Both kiddos had field trips, and guess who volunteered to chaperone one?! That’s right! I went on that field trip, and then right into the weekend. We enjoyed a 70 degree upswing in temperature that melted everything before the temperature dropped again, and then the snow and ice hit! Monday morning was given a 2-hour delay because of snow and ice. To top it all off, the bus was even later because of dangerous roads and when the kids came back in to warm up they missed the bus!
What a week!
So, what do you do when you’re stuck inside because it’s -40 outside? You think of ways to keep warm You also think of the creative ways you can keep warm without getting an enormous bill the next month.
How to Keep Warm without Upping your Energy Bill
A lot of people are surprised to find that we keep our thermostat at 62 degrees in the winter. I know we are at the low end, but I can tell you we are not cold!
Lowering your thermostat will save you big time in the long run. Even if you can just turn it down a few degrees while you are sleeping or at work, you’ll see a difference. There are so many ways you can keep warm and save some money!
Start with You
My husband will walk around our house and complain that it’s freezing. If you look at our family, you’ll see that the kids and I are very comfortable in sweatshirts. When you look at him, he’s in a t-shirt! Yep, I don’t feel bad for him at all. There is no need to turn up the thermostat if you can just add a sweatshirt and some slippers to help you keep warm.
Warm Yourself
- Did you know you can get sweatshirts with heaters in them!? My husband has this Milwaukee heated sweatshirt and loves it for work.
- My feet are always the first to get cold, slippers are a must! They even make heated slippers!
- A blanket scarf is one of the coziest (and stylish) things out there!
- Sherpa is so in right now and I’m loving it!
- Have your ever worn fleece leggings? It’s like a hug for your legs!
- I also buy flannel lined jeans or fleece lined jeans for my son and husband.
- If you can pull off a winter hat, they are very cute and keep the heat in.
- I mean, we can’t forget the Snuggie, right?
Think small
There is no need to heat the whole house if you find that you only use a few rooms. You can keep the thermostat lower while keeping a cozy space heater trained right on you while you’re in certain areas of your house.
My husband doesn’t shower without a space heater in the bathroom. You can also install heat-lamp bulbs or a heater and vent over your shower. They’ll do the same trick but not take up extra space, or an extra outlet, in your bathroom!
Cozy up to a fire
This may not be an option for everyone, but there is nothing like a cozy fire! We have a gas fire place, that just makes you feel warmer even before the heat really kicks in. I think it’s partially a mental thing when you stare into those flames.
In our basement, we have a faux fireplace insert in our entertainment center. It also puts out heat, and gives us that cozy look. You don’t need a lot of space to have the ambiance of a fire. I am loving these tiny modern ceramic space heaters with fireplace look. If you have a rustic or farmhouse decor, these heaters that look like a wood stove are another stylish option.
Blankets
As long as I keep moving, I can keep pretty warm. However, it’s when you slow down and sit in one place that the cold really sneaks up on you. In those cases, you can’t go wrong with a cozy blanket!
Pile ’em on!
Did you know that the order of your blankets matter? As far as warmth goes, wool is the warmest followed by synthetic fleece and then cotton. A lot of wool blankets are as stunning as they are warm! If you’re layering your blankets for more warmth, place the warmest on top to keep the cold away best.
Plug ’em in!
There is nothing better than an electric blanket! Talk about comfort! It’s the perfect way to stay cozy without warming up the whole house. Even your bedding can be electric – either a blanket or a heated mattress pad. They even have dual zones for couples who can’t agree!
Serve up some comfort food
There is nothing like a good meal to make you feel warm and comfy. Over our cold weekend, we warmed up with a delicious chicken chili in the Crockpot. The slow cooker is the way to go to have the whole house smell warm and cozy!
A big pot of Turkey Veggie Barley Soup is perfect for days like these because it helps you keep warm from the inside out! We also love our go-to Asiago Sausage and Broccoli Pasta for comfort food on cold days. Our other favorites are Spaghetti Squash Pizza Hotdish, Zesty Chicken, Artichoke Chicken. I mean, who doesn’t love good food on a cold day?
Keep Warm!
Now that you all all this Minnesotan’s best tips, let’s get through this winter and keep cozy and warm without breaking the bank!
What is your favorite comfort food, or way to keep warm on a cold day?
