As we reach the mid-point of December, most of us have our sights set on one goal… Surviving Christmas! Regardless of faith, Christmas can be the best time of the year. A time of togetherness, friends, family, good food, fine wine, love and celebration… Unfortunately the most wonderful time of the year can also be pretty terrible for some of us. It can be a time of financial ruin, debt, desperation and heartbreak as we see the disappointed looks on our kids’ faces when what they unwrap is far from what was on their Christmas lists.

Many of us started the year with a certain set of financial resolutions. We promised ourselves that we wouldn’t be caught short this Christmas. We’d scrimp and save and budget so that this year our families could enjoy a Christmas for the ages. The trouble us that despite our months of sacrifice, effort and overtime, sometimes the season is actively working against us. The seasonal chill and all that it brings can slowly erode our bank balances, forcing us to dip into our Christmas savings.

Is the season draining your Christmas budget? Let’s take a look…

Do you get a chill when you walk past your windows?

Many of us assume that because we have double glazed windows that we’re getting the best energy efficiency money can buy. Rarely, however, is this the case. Unless you have windows with a layer of thermally broken material between the glass panes, your double glazing isn’t working as hard for you as it should be. If you get a chill when you walk past the windows, it may be worth investing in some energy efficient drapes to keep the cold out and the heat you’re paying for in!

Is your AC burning through your energy budget?

Using our AC units in the colder months can be a great way to get the ambient temperature we need, when we need it. But over time our AC units can develop problems which result in them using way more power than they should. Since AC units are pretty expensive to run anyway, this can really eat into your carefully planned finances. The good news is that a carrier AC repair specialist can ensure that your system is working optimally and carry out routine serving to save you a lot of money in the short term. Leave these problems alone and they could result in a power short. Nobody needs that over Christmas.

Is there evidence of unwelcome guests trying to crash your Christmas dinner?

While the prospect of going up into your attic may be less than appealing, now’s the time to give your attic insulation a once over to ensure that you won’t have any unwelcome four legged guests trying to crash your Christmas dinner. If you see droppings, burrows or bite marks, your insulation is likely compromised by rodent infestation and needs to be replaced ASAP.

Are you having to take one too many sick days

Finally, if you’re having to take a lot of days off over the winter months due to ill health, this can create money problems if you aren’t lucky enough to have an employer who gives you sick pay. As tempting as it is to gorge on junk food over the winter months, eating a healthy diet rich in nutritious veggies and drinking lots of water are essential in maintaining a robust immune system and avoiding sick days.