Author: Whitney Hollingshead

When the weather station reported that today’s high was in the 70’s or 80’s, the last thing on your mind is creating a to do list for winter.  In fact, getting ready for winter a few months in advance seems a little crazy; however, you can take advantage of some great benefits if you make good use of the coming weeks.  Here are some key reason to act now:

1. Preparation saves time, money, & frustration.

Stock up now on the basics that you will need to tackle winter tasks.  Do you have a good snow shovel?  If you want until the first snow, odds are you will be competing with everyone else who needs a shovel and the local stores may not have the stock to meet the sudden demand.  Purchase a snow shovel now.  If you prefer to buy items online, you have plenty of time to wait for the item to be shipped to you and you can most likely snag a great deal too.

Consider purchasing an ice scraper and snow brush for each of your vehicles.  Again, you will most likely find a better selection in your local stores now.  Check online to get the best price.

Does every member of the family have a good coat, hat, gloves, boots, and a scarf?  Make a list of the items your family needs and start watching for these items to go on sale.  Don’t buy them at full price now, but start watching closely for a great deal on anything you need.

Think back to last winter.  Are there items you wished you had, but still have not purchased?  Include these items in the family budget for the coming months.  Consider everything from bedding to cookware to holiday decorations.

Focus on any indoor or outdoor activity that needs to be completed and would be especially difficult to complete when the weather is cold.  For example, you can hang the Christmas lights now and wait until later to turn them on.  Make sure your garage is cleaned out so that you can park your cars inside, etc.

2. Discounted skiing/snowboarding season passes are available now.

If any member of your family loves to ski or snowboard, you need to act now to get the best possible deal on a season pass to a local resort.  Many resorts run special promotions in the late summer and early fall for discounted season passes.  If you can’t find any information online about the resorts nearest you, call and ask about season pass discounts.  Several resorts even offer specific promotions for season passes for kids.  Going a couple of times during the winter season typically pays for the full cost of the season pass, making season passes a very attractive option if anyone in your family plans to go multiple times this coming winter.

3. You can take advantage of discounted gear and better customer service.

If you are planning on participating in any kind of outdoor winter activity, odds are someone in your family will need some new gear this year.  You can find deals at the local stores and online for winter gear now.  For example, if your child is begging for a new snowboard, you should check out this Never Summer snowboard currently listed online at 40% off.

Another key reason to start scoping out the gear you need is that you can take advantage of more attentive salespeople.  During the busy winter season you will have a hard time finding people to patiently listen to your questions and help you find the gear you need.  If you utilize their services now, you will appreciate the extra attention.

4. Buying your holiday plane tickets now will save you money and reduce stress.

If you are planning to travel for any of the winter holidays, get your plane tickets purchased now.  As the holidays are the busiest time of year for air travel, the sooner you purchase your tickets, the better.  If you wait, you will have limited flight options and end up paying more for each ticket.

To save some additional money, consider the following tips for airline travel:

Look at all of the airports within a reasonable distance of your destination.  Flying into an airport an hour or two away, may end up saving you a lot of money.  Of course, you will need transportation from this location.  If a friend or family member is willing to provide a ride, you will be in great shape.  If not, make sure you can rent a car and still enjoy a significant savings over flying into another airport.

Test out multiple dates for both ends of your trip if possible.  Leaving a day or two earlier than you originally planned may save you more than you expect.  Don’t assume flying on certain dates will be more or less expensive.  Do your research and make sure you know you are getting the best possible deal.

Research multiple airline websites, as well as various travel websites to look for the best deal.  You may find a great deal on a travel website, only to find that booking directly through the airline’s website is actually cheaper.

Check on additional fees before you book, including baggage fees.  Consolidate your luggage to reduce baggage fees.  Cut down the amount of stuff you plan to take on the plane, and have family members share luggage as much as possible.

By following these tips, you can save time and money this coming winter.  Act now to ensure that your winter is as enjoyable and stress free as possible.

Whitney Hollingshead is an optimist, a dreamer, and a professional writer.  She loves learning and sharing tips, tricks, and fun facts with others.  In her spare time she thrives on coming up with fun and creative solutions for everyday opportunities, especially when the solutions enable her to spend more time with family and friends.