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Tips to Save Money This Winter
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TIPS TO SAVE MONEY THIS WINTER
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This winter, many people are going to feel the pinch as the evenings get colder and the cost of living crisis worsens. That is why it is important to have a few tricks up your sleeve in order to save money.
1. Turn it down
Turning down your water heater and central heating by just a couple of degrees will make a huge difference to your energy bills. It is estimated that turning the thermostat down by just one degree can save up to 10 per cent on a fuel bill. You probably won’t notice the difference in temperature around your home, but you will definitely notice the extra pennies in your pocket.
2. Position your furniture
If working from home; it may surprise you that choosing the right space in your house could save you money. Position your desk in a bright, south facing room, with natural light, which will mean you can keep your lamps and lights turned off and the room will be warmer. Further to this, move any away from draughty doors or windows and position furniture away from the radiator to allow the heat to enter the room.
3. Don’t be curtain twitchers
During sunny winter days, its advisable to have the curtains open, taking advantage of the sunlight. During the colder days, draw the curtains and tuck them behind the radiator. Having heavier curtains and blinds can help with heat retention and act as a barrier, preventing air from flowing from the window, which is a good way to keep the draught out and the heat inside the house.
4. Switch it off
When you’ve finished using an electrical appliance, remember to switch it off. It sounds simple, but leaving appliances on when you’re not using them can rack up the pennies. Using timers is an easy option to reduce your electricity usage on appliances like lamps and heaters. Not only this, but when the time comes, electrical items such as Christmas decorations will be a costly indulgence that can be easily be reduced by switching them off during the day or using a timer.
10. Driving to success
We all know that rising fuel costs are a huge drain on finances. To minimise your outgoings, a carsharing scheme could reduce your fuel costs by more than £1,000 a year. Not only this, but walking instead of driving is a great way to reduce your petrol usage. Finally, looking after your own car, i.e. filling your own car with oil, washer liquid and cleaning it yourself, can save you a couple of quid!
9. Do it yourself
It is no secret that DIY can be cheaper. From small jobs like putting up shelves, to bigger projects like a loft conversion, it’s not only very rewarding to do it yourself, but also a great way to save money. Other ways you can DIY that don’t involve a toolbox include make do and mending clothes or furniture as well as using or repurposing what you already have. From clothes and shoes, to furniture, if you can avoid buying brand new, you can save money and feel a great sense of pride in you DIY.
8. Go old school
Make your own lunches and batch cook in advance. Hearty soups, warm stews and casseroles can be made in bulk, and saves you splashing out on meals. Avoid pre-packaged and processed foods, and instead opt for whole items such as vegetables and block cheese. Not only this, but buying generic supermarket brands are cheaper and often taste just as good.
7. Be frugal
There a several ways that you can be frugal when doing your weekly shop. Start by budgeting and look for loyalty cards, which offer great savings, as well vouchers and discount codes. Check the reduced food section for discounted products with the yellow stickers and shop around for the cheapest prices. Shop in sales when you can and remember: it’s never too early to start buying Christmas presents!
6. Make home improvements
Many home improvements required in the winter months can often be a costly expense, such as a new boiler, insulation or replacing draughty windows. However, that doesn’t need to be the case for you to notice a difference. There are many ways to insulate and improve your home without breaking the bank. Radiator reflectors on external walls are an easy and effective way to keep the heat inside, as well as window wrap kits on older or draughty windows. Draft excluders at the bottom of doors, rugs on the floor and portable heaters are affordable ways to warm up a room.
5. Put a jumper on
Putting on a jumper is the quickest and perhaps cheapest way to get warm this winter. Wearing thick socks and fluffy jumpers is not only fashionable but also effective in keeping you warm. Invest in thicker materials that will last not only this year, but also every year to follow.
CRUSE BEREAVEMENT CARE ISLE OF MAN RECEIVES £16,516 DONATION FROM ZURICH LIGHTHOUSES CHALLENGE & Z ZURICH FOUNDATION
Hundreds of cyclists who took part in this year’s Zurich Lighthouses Challenge helped to raise over £16,000 for Cruse Bereavement Care Isle of Man.
The annual event, held on July 3rd, attracted cyclists from on and off-Island of all ages and abilities, with more than 350 tackling one of three different routes covering 26, 50 or 100 miles.
Funds were raised from the event and a prize draw to win an eBike (donated by Tevir Group). Those sources raised £8,258 which was then match-funded by the Z Zurich Foundation which is a charitable foundation funded by various members of the Zurich Insurance Group (the parent company of Lighthouses Challenge sponsors, Zurich on the Isle of Man). That took the total donated to Cruse to £16,516.
The 2023 Zurich Lighthouses Challenge will be on Sunday July 2nd – entries are scheduled to open in January. For full details go to www.lighthouseschallenge.im.
Pictured - Left to right are Peter Young (Zurich Lighthouses Challenge Safety Officer); Amanda Cafearo; Ruth Adamson (Z Zurich Foundation Regional Engagement Manager for the EMEA region); Ollie Last; and James Gowans (Zurich employee who completed the 2022 Zurich Lighthouses Challenge 100 mile route and was an event volunteer).
NEW SECURITY FENCING FOR KWC ASTRO PITCH
Security fencing at King William’s College’s astro pitch has been upgraded thanks to a £30,954 community grant from Manx Lottery Trust. The boundary fencing was more than 20 years old and because of exposure to the coastal environment the metal had corroded, which created holes and sharp edges in the fence line.
The pitch provides important facilities for a variety of sports, including hockey, football, tennis, and circuit training, and is used by many sports clubs and community groups in addition to pupils at KWC.
‘The new fencing will secure the long-term future of the facilities, providing continued opportunities for sport and recreation, which in turn makes such an important contribution to the health and wellbeing of the school and the local community. Boundary fences contribute to visitors’ first impressions, and, in security terms, they are the first line of protection in deterring unauthorised individuals from trying to gain access to the astro pitch.
THE IMPORTANCE OF GIVING BACK TO In August the Company helped a group THE LOCAL of four local disabled children and volunteers from Riding for the Disabled Isle of Man attend a horse-riding centre COMMUNITY in Wales. Global Support
With a more than 190-year history in the Island, the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has always been very aware of its responsibility to the communities it serves. This doesn’t stop at making sure the lifeline services operated throughout the year run to schedule, it extends to using the Company to help improve the quality of life on the Island and further afield.
This year, the Steam Packet Company extended travel support and assistance to a wide spectrum of the community, including local individuals, art and culture groups, sports clubs, local charities, fundraisers and more.
With 2023 on the horizon, we look back over the last 12 months at just a handful of the wonderful local initiatives supported by the Steam Packet Company. The Steam Packet Company’s charitable endeavours also extend beyond Manx shores, and in response to the devastation in Ukraine on the outbreak of the war, the Company helped send essential supplies to the country and surrounding regions on behalf of local group Manx Support for Refugees.
What’s next?
Performing Arts and Culture
As in previous years, the Steam Packet Company was delighted to support events which celebrated the Island’s unique heritage and diverse arts and culture scene. In July it subsidised artists travelling to the Isle of Man to perform at Yn Chruinnaght’s ‘The Celtic Gathering’, a week-long festival which brings together musicians and dancers from across the Celtic nations.
The Company also supported the Manx Amateur Drama Federation (MADF), with their 2022 Easter Festival of Full Length Plays. Open to amateur drama, operatic, musical and play groups from across the Island and the UK, the Company covered the travel expenses of those groups travelling from the UK, ensuring audiences in the Isle of Man enjoyed a varied and exciting schedule of entertainment.
Throughout the year the travel assistance schemes have also helped numerous productions spring to life on the Gaiety Theatre stage, including family-favourite the ‘Ministry of Science Live’ - helping transport cast members, props, and sets.
Sport
The Steam Packet Company is a longtime supporter of the Island’s vibrant sporting community and has played an integral role in the Island’s world-class motorsport events, ferrying thousands of race fans each year. Earlier this year, the Company partnered with Quayside Racing to support local rider and double Manx Grand Prix winner Nathan Harrison’s 2022 racing season. The Steam Packet Company transported the Quayside Racing team and equipment between the Isle of Man and the UK free of charge throughout Harrison’s action-packed 2022 campaign.
In 2022 the Company was thrilled to announce another record-breaking year for charity collections during the TT festival. Race fans showed more generosity than ever before to help hit a total of over £22,300 donated for the Rob Vine Fund.
Keen to enhance the development of sport in the Isle of Man, the Company has supported various local sporting communities across the Island, including rugby talents at Vagabonds RUFC – and will be acting as the main team’s travel sponsors for the new season. Intent on supporting the development of sport for women and in the younger community, the Company has committed support to the Ladies team, and junior teams.
Community Causes
Where it can, the Company is always willing to help charities, organisations, and individuals as they strive to make a difference and help others. Brian Thomson, Managing Director of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, commented: ‘The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has been honoured to support so many different causes across the Isle of Man community every year. The Company has been a part of the Island’s community for over 190 years, and each year we strive to support our community’s passions, causes and fundraising efforts where we can. We actively encourage local communities to reach out to us if they have a project that is close to their heart and could benefit from our support.
‘It’s an exciting year ahead for the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, with the imminent arrival of our new vessel, Manxman, in early 2023. I encourage residents, customers, and our friends to keep a close eye on her journey to Manx waters, as we’d like as many members of the community as possible to get involved in this significant piece of Manx history.’
Every year the Steam Packet Company, as part of its ongoing commitment to the Isle of Man, offers its support to a huge variety of initiatives, projects, and events, gifting free and discounted travel to worthy causes to empower our Island and to help it shine. Do you have an initiative which would benefit from travel support? The Steam Packet Company would like to hear from you – email social@steam-packet.com to make a request.
