Does your household budget change during winter?
JOHANNESBURG – Some household expenses tend to increase over the winter period, this inconveniences a lot of people who probably forget to budget for a few things that are needed in their household.
Regional director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa Adrian Goslett said, “While certain household expenses remain constant, others vary from month to month and from season to season. It is therefore important for homeowners to leave room in their monthly budget to allow for these kinds of fluctuations and, where necessary, cut back on other expenses to afford the unavoidable increases.”
Goslett explained that there are certain expenses that naturally increase during the colder months, electricity being the most obvious of these expenses. “With the evenings getting darker earlier and the mornings getting lighter later, we tend to make use of artificial lighting more often. We also make use of more hot water, switch on heaters and electric blankets, stay home and use our electronic devices more often and use the oven and stove to make hot meals more often during winter – all of which leads to a higher electricity bill at the end of the month.”
Beyond this, Goslett pointed out that our monthly grocery bill also tends to increase (along with our appetites) over this period. Part of this expense might include firewood or gas, depending on your home’s preferred heating method.
Luckily, there are also expenses that naturally tend to decrease over the winter period which can be offset against the above-mentioned expenses. “Petrol is one of these expenses, as one often spends more time at home instead of venturing out in the rain over the weekends. Your entertainment budget could therefore also potentially see a natural decrease as you opt for nights spent in front of the TV on the couch instead of going out to restaurants and shows,” said Goslett.
“The key to keeping on top of your household expenses is to keep a record of your spending throughout the month. That way, you can keep track of how much you have already spent and how much you have left to spend before your next paycheque cashes in. If you allocate a budget for each of your various household expenses and stick to it, then you can avoid getting into debt to get through the month. This is especially important for those who are hoping to qualify for a home loan in the foreseeable future and need a good credit record to receive approval,” Goslett added.
Goslett, therefore, recommended that tenants who are struggling to make ends meet find a cheaper rental to avoid running up debt and marking their credit record. “If your hope is to one day enter the property market, your best bet is to find the most affordable accommodation option so that you can not only avoid debt but also have enough left over to save for a deposit and the various other expenses involved in purchasing property,” Goslett concluded.
For more property-related advice, speak to a local real estate advisor from the world’s largest real estate brand by visiting www.remax.co.za.
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