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The start of a new year is peak season for assessing what needs to be improved in your home (and life) but, while those January resolutions are now but a distant memory, the new financial year and start of the cold season offer a great opportunity to do a midyear life audit!
Start by making sure your health and comfort are covered – your home should provide everything you need in terms of warmth – and also your physical and mental wellbeing. Then look at how you can do things better in the second half of 2024, focusing on organisational systems and savvy financial tips to make your life run more smoothly.
Make your home a haven this winter with these tips for creating a cocooning space that keeps out the chill without breaking the bank.
Blankets, rugs and cuddly cushions are essential ingredients for a winter nest, while the visual effect of amped-up texture makes us feel warmer as soon as we enter a room. Natural fibres, such as wool, are one of the best ways to add texture and warmth, says interior designer Emily MacAlpine of MARG Studio. “This could be by adding a thick, knitted wool throw rug to the end of your bed or sofa to snuggle up under.”
Sunlight is a fantastic no-cost source of heat – and a dose of sun also helps keep the winter SAD (seasonal affective disorder) away. Note where the sun falls in the cool months and take advantage of every beam. “Homes should act like a living thing that changes with the seasons and throughout each day,” says Emily. “Consider where the sun rises in the morning and how it tracks through the home as the day progresses.”
Emily suggests tweaking your window treatments to control the amount of light you get into the home, especially during the warmest times of day. Angle shutters to welcome in light, open curtains fully and, crucially, close shutters and draw curtains closed when the sun fades to lock in that lovely warmth.
The whistle of a winter draught is the sound of your money blowing out of the door. Keep your home snug and your energy costs down by blocking draught points that let in icy air and steal your warmth. Fabric door snakes, fixed door seals and weather seal tape (for doors and windows) are affordable and easy D.I.Y. solutions. Insulate windows (especially single-glazed ones) with good window treatments – hang curtains high and wide to cover the gaps around the edges of the frame, and opt for thermal fabrics where possible.
Using smart technology to fire up your heating systems gives you complete control over your home’s climate from wherever you are, says John Campbell, Bunnings national electrical buyer. “Smart technology allows users to remotely control reverse-cycle airconditioners, and some models can even sense the temperature of the home and adjust settings automatically,” he says.
It’s not just airconditioning systems, either. “Electric fires and fans with winter modes can be controlled using smart technology, offering convenient and efficient heating solutions,” John says. This technology allows you to come home to an already warm and comfortable space, and can even cut your energy bills as you fine-tune the system to match your routines and override it when your plans change.
Winter can test our physical and mental wellbeing. Use your home environment to boost your health with these breathe-easy ideas.
Shutting all the windows and cranking up the heater is the go-to comfort solution in winter, but it’s not great for air quality. Between occupant-related pollution (the carbon dioxide we breathe out), pollution from cooking and heating (specifically gas and wood heaters), mould and moisture, our health can be negatively impacted. Aim to balance airtightness and ventilation by opening windows daily for an hour or so. Fans can be used to further circulate air. Using a reverse-cycle airconditioner can help too, as many models have air-purification filters.
Mould and damp deserve special consideration, as their negative health effects can be dramatic. Ward against mould this winter by following the tips above, while also targeting sources of damp within the home.
Make sure you use bathroom extractor fans and rangehoods to suck out damp air; avoid drying clothes on racks indoors; consider upgrading to a condenser dryer (or run it in a room with an open window); use a window vacuum on ‘crying’ windows; and place moisture absorbers in cupboards and any damp corners.
It’s said pot plants can work to improve air quality in the home, with some of the top performers including peace lilies, sansevieria, Boston ferns and spider plants. As well as helping to remove toxins from the air, plants have also been found to have a calming effect – win-win! “I have chosen indoor plants like rubber plants and parlour palms because, beyond looking good, I know I can neglect them a little bit and go away and not have to worry too much about water,” says Emily MacAlpine.
The mental health benefits of gardening have been well documented – pottering in the garden has been shown to soothe stress and anxiety and promote positive emotions. Why not combine the psychological benefits of gardening with the physical benefits of homegrown herbs and vegetables? Herbs such as coriander, thyme, sage and rosemary are all fantastic for winter stews and curries, and vegies like kale, lettuce, peas and radishes are all easy to grow and great for your health.
Give your home and finances a midyear health check and commit to a budget-savvy and newly organised financial year ahead.
An annual health check of all your major expenditure is the ultimate adult move. Flex your financial responsibility muscles by checking in with lenders, insurers and energy suppliers – make sure you’re getting the best rates and that, in the case of insurance, you’re covered for everything you need. Andrew Dadswell of ASIC’s Moneysmart advises shopping around when it’s time to renew things like your insurance. “Find insurers that provide the cover you need and compare premiums – you can often get a lower premium,” he says. “The same principle applies for other big household expenses, such as energy bills. Compare energy suppliers on energymadeeasy.gov.au (or compare.energy.vic.gov.au if in Victoria).”
When it comes to budgeting, it’s rarely about making one big change. “You can start by making a few small changes and building on it over time,” says Andrew. “Take stock of your spending over the past few months – it might be confronting, but understanding where your money is going is the first step to setting up healthier spending habits.”
Don’t forget to scan your bank statement for subscriptions and automatic payments and check you’re getting what you pay for – and paying for things you actually want. If you’re shelling out for a streaming service you never use or a gym ‘donation’ when your runners are gathering dust, look at saving money by cancelling the membership or diverting the funds to a service you’ll actually use. Once you’ve got a clear idea of your expenses and where you can trim the fat, Andrew suggests using the free budget planning tool at moneysmart.gov.au.
Enjoy an easier ride next EOFY by setting up good organisation systems for your work-related records. “If you are entitled to claim a deduction for work-related or investment expenses, you must have a record to prove you incurred the expense and how you calculated your claim,” says Andrew. The ATO app makes it easy to keep all your records in one place. “It allows you to record your expenses and deductions, vehicle trips and income if you’re a sole trader. You can also save photos of your invoices and receipts. When it’s time to lodge your tax return, you can upload the data directly into your tax return or email a copy to your tax agent.”
Organising your work from home or study set-up can help boost focus and productivity, as well as aiding in setting boundaries between work and home life. Emily MacAlpine recommends organising your work equipment and storage so everything has a place and can be packed away to create a sense of finality to your work day. “This could be especially important if you are working from a space like the dining room table that really needs to be returned to its other function,” says Emily. She suggests using wheeled storage or anything that has a door or lid so everything can be tucked out of sight.
Take your organisational skills beyond the office to bring order to other areas, potentially saving – or making – money in the process. A seasonal storage audit and winter wardrobe cull allows you to clearly see what you already have and identify any gaps in your wardrobe so you can make intelligent purchases, not knee-jerk online buys. And you can sell your unwanted clothes or accessories. Look for local markets in your area and team up with a friend to hold a stall. Or sell your stuff online using a fashion marketplace like Depop to turn preloved and unworn clothes, bags and more into extra cash. Plus, by thoughtfully assessing and storing your summer kit neatly, you’ll have an easier auditing job next season!*
*This information is of a general nature only and should not be regarded as financial or legal advice. It does not take into account your individual circumstances or objectives. You should always seek advice from a suitably qualified professional.
Check out these smart upgrades for your home office set up.
Photo Credit: Gap Photos/Marcin Grabowieckie, Brigid Arnott, Alex Reinders
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
