We’re often caught off guard when the forecast calls for snow. It can be hard to know what products we need and which are just a gimmick. This winter, keep your driveway and your wallet in check by using these smart tips.
Consider Hiring Someone
I know this feels counterintuitive. However, if you’re not in cardiovascular shape, it may be smarter to hire the kid down the street or a plowing company to shovel your driveway. Yes, you may need to spend some money up front. But you won’t end up having medical bills. This could be an instance where it’s smarter to err on the side of safety. Especially if you have high blood pressure, smoke, or have other cardiovascular risk factors, be smart.
Spray Your Shovel
If you are shoveling the drive, spray both sides of your shovel with cooking spray. It should keep the ice from forming and make your job easier, too.
Crack Your Cabinet Doors
Consider leaving your cabinet doors slightly ajar when the temperatures outside drop. You’ll increase the warm airflow around the pipes under your sink, preventing them from freezing.
Use a Cookie Sheet and Hair Dryer
If you do end up having a pipe freeze, don’t freak out. Consider using a cookie sheet and a hair dryer to slowly warm the spot where the ice is. Open the taps near the ice blockage so you can know when the blockage breaks free. Don’t leave the hairdryer unattended. You can also use a cookie sheet to reflect the heat, causing its effects to spread further and warm up the entire pipe.
Bag Your Mirror
If you know ice and snow are coming in the overnight hours and you park outside, consider taking a gallon plastic bag or and wrapping it around your side mirrors on your vehicle. In the morning, you won’t have to scrape or thaw, just pull the bag off.
Pop Your Windshield Wipers & Use a Sheet
Again, if you know that the ice and snow are coming in the overnight hours, pop your windshield wipers up so they don’t freeze to the surface. You might also consider putting a sheet on your windshield overnight so that you can lift it off in the morning instead of spending extra time scraping.
Alcohol in Lieu of Deicer
Don’t have a handing can/bottle of deicer at home? Use 70% rubbing alcohol instead. It will get the job done for a fraction of the cost. Fill a spray bottle (have an old hairspray bottle?), with 2 parts alcohol and 1 part warm water, and let it rip. If you don’t have alcohol, you could use 3 parts white vinegar, 1 part water and it should do the same trick.
Avoid the French Toast Trap
I’m not sure what it is about this time of the year that makes everyone crash the shelves for bread, milk, and eggs. I think it’s a conspiracy of the French to get you to concoct their delicious breakfast dish. The good news is that you probably don’t need to rush to the store to get all of the above. Take a good inventory of your cabinets, pantry, fridge, and freezer before heading to the store. More than likely you have all that you need to whip up 3-4 meals without buying a single ingredient. Make your list based upon what you already have or can add 1-2 items to so that you avoid impulse buys.
Stock Up on What Works
When you find a product that works, stock up on it. For instance, I LOVE the Absorb rugs that have been $4.99 at ALDI lately. Last year, I bought one and it worked so well that as soon as they featured them on special this year, I purchase a couple of others to keep on hand. By the way, your ALDI may no longer have these in stock depending upon when you read this but a similar one can be found on Amazon for less than $15.
Managing winter weather in your home and car don’t have to be pricey. Using these time and money saving hacks will help you stay ahead of the ice and the snow.
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