When the New Zealand winter sets in, so do higher power bills and added pressure on household budgets. With longer nights, colder days, and often higher spending due to school holidays or car maintenance, winter can stretch your finances if you’re not prepared.
The good news? You don’t need to sacrifice comfort to stay financially healthy. In this blog, we’ve compiled a range of realistic tips to help you slash power bills, manage expenses, and stay in control of your money this winter.
Let’s dive in!
1. Be Strategic with Heating
Choosing the Right Heater
A heat pump is one of the most efficient ways to heat your home, especially compared with other types of electric heaters such as oil heaters and portable fan heaters. According to Consumer, plug-in heaters cost between 23 and 31 cents per kWh to run, depending on your power plan .That means if you run a 2kW heater for 5 hours a day at 25 cents per kWh, you’ll spend $2.50 per day, or $75 per month. Compare that with a mid-range heat pump, many of which have estimated running costs of about $100 per year!
Curtains Are Your Best Friend
Invest in thermal curtains or add DIY liners to existing ones. Closing curtains before sunset traps heat inside and helps insulate your home overnight.
Block Draughts
Stop heat escaping under doors, through windows, or via the chimney. Use door snakes, weather stripping, or foam tape to block cold air. These small, low-cost fixes can reduce heat loss significantly.
2. Optimise Electricity Usage
Shift Power Usage to Off-Peak Times
Some electricity providers, such as Contact, offer lower rates during off-peak hours. Consider running the dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer late at night or early morning. This simple shift can shave dollars off your bill.
Use LED Lighting
Switching to LED light bulbs is a no-brainer. They use up to 85% less power and last much longer. Replace old incandescent bulbs, especially in high-use areas like kitchens and living rooms.
Unplug Appliances
Even when not in use, appliances on standby still draw power. Unplug TVs, chargers, and computers or invest in a smart power strip to automatically turn them off when not needed.
3. Make Smart Cooking Choices
Batch Cook and Reheat
Cooking in bulk saves time and money. It also reduces how often you use the oven or stovetop. Freeze portions and reheat using a microwave or slow cooker—both are more energy-efficient than reheating in the oven.
Use Smaller Appliances
Microwaves, slow cookers, and air fryers use less power than your standard oven. They’re great for soups, stews, or a quick midweek meal, and they cost significantly less to run.
4. Take Advantage of Government Programmes and Discounts
Winter Energy Payment
If you’re receiving a main benefit, superannuation, or a veteran’s pension, you might qualify for the Winter Energy Payment through Work and Income. This helps cover heating costs from 1 May to 1 October.
Home Insulation and Heating Grants
The Warmer Kiwi Homes programme offers insulation and heating grants for eligible homeowners. A warmer, drier home means you’ll need less heating, so check if you qualify for free or subsidised upgrades.
5. Reassess Your Budget
Track Your Spending
Winter often brings more indoor living—which can mean online shopping, takeaways, and streaming subscriptions. Use budgeting apps like PocketSmith or Sorted’s budgeting tool to see where your money’s going.
Cut Unnecessary Subscriptions
It seems almost everything is available as a subscription these days, and it’s so easy to sign up! But subscriptions can quickly get out of hand, and you may find yourself paying for things you never use. Take stock of all your subscriptions—Netflix, Spotify, Amazon Prime, gym memberships, etc—and cancel or pause the ones you don’t use. You might be surprised at how quickly these add up.
Review Your Insurance Policies
Review your home, contents, and car insurance policies to ensure they still meet your needs. Take comprehensive car insurance, for example. Maybe you’ve had your vehicle for a while and the value has dropped, so a switch to cheaper third party car insurance could be a good move. Also, comparing different providers might reveal more cost-effective options or better coverage for the same premium.
6. Be Smart with Groceries
Plan Meals & Shop Weekly
Meal planning helps reduce food waste and impulse buying. Create a list and stick to it. Buying groceries weekly instead of daily helps you avoid frequent trips where extras sneak into your trolley.
Buy Seasonal and Local
In-season produce is cheaper and fresher. Look out for deals at your local markets or veggie box schemes. Buying bulk staples like rice, oats, and legumes can also save in the long run.
7. Get a Handle on Debt
Winter is a great time to review your debt situation. Are you juggling credit cards, Buy Now Pay Later, or personal loans? Managing multiple repayments with different interest rates can be stressful and costly.
Consolidate to Simplify
Consider a debt consolidation loan to combine your existing debts into one manageable repayment. This can reduce the overall interest you pay and make budgeting easier.
8. Consider Flexible Financing for Larger Costs
Unexpected costs—car repairs, vet bills, or replacing a broken appliance—can throw off your winter budget. If savings won’t stretch, financing these expenses with a low-cost personal loan might make more sense than high-interest credit cards or short-term lenders.
Look for a provider who offers:
- Fast approval
- Fair interest rates
- Flexible repayment options
- Transparency with no hidden fees
9. Get Help if You’re Struggling
There’s no shame in needing a hand. If you’re facing a tight winter, don’t wait until it becomes a crisis. Reach out to budgeting services, community support centres, or financial advisers.
For fast, practical support, Loan Direct is here to help.
How Loan Direct Can Help This Winter
At Loan Direct, we understand that life doesn’t stop for winter—and neither should your financial wellbeing. Whether you’re looking to reduce debt, cover unexpected costs, or just create some breathing room, we’ve got the tools to help:
- Fast, hassle-free application – Apply online in just 2 minutes.
- Quick approval – Get approved in as little as 1–2 hours*.
- Same-day payouts – Funds can be in your account the very same day*.
- Great rates – Secured loans from 9.95%, unsecured from 11.95%.
- Bad credit considered – We believe in second chances.
- Expert, local support – Talk to real people who understand your situation.
You can borrow up to $75,000 unsecured or $150,000 secured, and we match you with the right lender for your circumstances from our network of trusted partners.
Winter may be tough—but with a few smart moves and the right support, you can take control of your finances and make the season work for you.
Ready to get sorted faster?
Apply now with Loan Direct and enjoy financial peace of mind all winter long.
Apply Now!
*Subject to responsible lending checks and criteria.
