Winter can be quite a strain on the bank account with our tendency to eat more, shop (online) more and crank the heaters up! Here are 3 cheap and cheerful ways to keep warm this winter – without feeling like your skimping at all!
by Anna McDougall, The Money Maven
Bargain Winter Clothing
If you love a bargain, coupon or sale, chances are you’ve heard of a little website called Living Social which offers deals all over your local area. From restaurants to hair salons to cheap getaways, you can really afford to ‘live social’ with this site.
This bargain hub have now expanded to selling products – especially to keep warm this winter! Let’s start with the Mestige stylish black leggings which come to $19, originally retailing for just under $50. With savings up to %70 off on winter coats and jackets, long and short, fashionable or practical, you’d be kicking yourself if you didn’t check this one out. Hurry though, they’re selling out fast!
Did we mention free shipping?
Head to www.livingsocial.com.au for more, you might find yourself trawling for hours!
Happy Hour
There are only so many times you can go on a romantic movie date during the winter- and lets face it a movie night for two these days usually starts at $50 minimum!
Cure the winter blues and wallet blues by hunting down happy hour, dinner deals and trivia nights throughout your local area. Food, drink and a laugh is bound to keep you warm for the inside out – and will keep your man happy as well!
For example on Fridays in Sydney you can enjoy a $15 steak and schooner at the Paragon Hotel, at ScuBar on Mondays, Tuesday Fridays and Saturdays indulge in all you can eat pizza for $12 from 7pm-9pm.
On various days of the week Charlie’s Bar in Melbourne boasts $10 martinis, $3 bubbles and 2 for 1 cocktails, while a relaxing Sunday afteroon at the Temperance Hotel offers Cocktail jugs, Corona Buckets, bottles of Bubbly all for $20 each or enjoy their Fish ‘n’Chips or Burger of the day for $10.
You can find your nearest winter-warming deal at thehappiesthour.com
Warming Winter Recipe: Vegetable Curry
If leaving the house is too much to bear try this winter-warming recipe that won’t leave you out of pocket!
Cutting out meat from one meal a week can save at least $10 from your weekly food bill. Try this vegetarian winter-warming curry, you can also use your leftover vegetables from the night before to fill this curry.
Alternatively head to Rescu. Nutrition Expert, Zoe Bingley Pullin’s website for healthy, easy and cheap meal ideas to keep you warm and looking good all winter long!
Zoe Bingley-Pullin Cooking Classes @ About Life Health Food Rozelle
These dynamic and practical classes include instructions to create three delicious meals, a take-home apron, recipes, a celebratory dinner party at the end, and lots of great cooking and nutrition tips, along the way. Classes are held from 6pm to 8pm, the second Wednesday of every month.
https://www.nutritionaledge.com.au/nutritionist-services/cooking-classes/
Or call About Life on (02) 8755 1311
Vegetable Curry
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons curry powder
3 cups cauliflower florets (1 large head)
2 brushed potatoes, scrubbed and chopped
2 cups chopped pumpkin
1½ cups frozen peas
1 onion, sliced finely
1 tbsp extra virgin-olive oil
3 tbsp butter
¾ cup European-style yogurt
Method:
Preheat oven to 180°C. Drizzle pumpkin with olive oil and sprinkle generously with salt. Roast in oven until golden brown and tender, about 15-20 minutes. In the meantime, using 2 medium saucepans, boil the cauliflower and potato in salted water until tender. Just before you drain either one, toss peas in. Drain all vegetables and set aside. In a large saucepan, sauté onion in the 3 tbsp butter. Add curry powder, then the cooked vegetables, stir through gently so as not to squash the pumpkin. Serve immediately topped with yogurt over rice or with store-bought warm Naan bread.
