Jobs to tackle before winter
Money Magazine Australia|March 2023
Before too long winter will be upon us, and that usually means an increase in the cost of running your home.
TRACIE ELLIS
Jobs to tackle before winter

Autumn presents a great opportunity to tackle some simple projects before the chill sets in. Preparing your home for the changing seasons not only ensures you address essential jobs, but also protects you from costly repairs during the winds, rain and storms that winter brings with it. The following projects can have a big impact on your comfort and heating expenses over the cooler months, ensuring your house is more functional and efficient without compromising on style.

Check your water heater

Is your hot water system operating well? If you have any concerns, don’t wait for winter’s arrival. Call a plumber to check it out before the system fails and you are facing cold showers.

Fill those gaps

Inspecting your home for gaps and cracks that allow cool draughts to enter is time well spent. Give windows and doors a thorough wash inside and out, taking care to clean out the seals and locking functions. Replace rubber seals and seal cracks with gap filler to eliminate draughts. Even purchasing simple door “snake stoppers”, and placing them along the bottom of interior doors, is an effective way to make your home more energy efficient.

Mould and mildew

During the winter months, damp and dark environments can cause mould and mildew thrive. Both are harmful to your health and cause significant damage to your home.

Concentrate on bathrooms and wardrobes by cleaning the areas thoroughly with your choice of bacteria cleaning product or your homemade ecofriendly cleaner. Placing moisture-absorbing agents around your home can also help in preventing the growth and spread of mould and mildew.

This story is from the March 2023 edition of Money Magazine Australia.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the March 2023 edition of Money Magazine Australia.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM MONEY MAGAZINE AUSTRALIAView All
An outrageous, beautiful monopoly
Money Magazine Australia

An outrageous, beautiful monopoly

Telstra's mobile business is a cash machine with few competitors, giving it the highest returns in the world.

time-read
4 mins  |
July 2024
Drop the anchor to judge value
Money Magazine Australia

Drop the anchor to judge value

Buying and selling decisions should be based on where a stock price is going, not where it has been.

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2024
Powering the AI boom
Money Magazine Australia

Powering the AI boom

Beyond the software and chipmakers, where will the energy come from?

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2024
Get into life
Money Magazine Australia

Get into life

Tucked inside super are products that can protect you from life's inevitable uncertainties.

time-read
5 mins  |
July 2024
Paths to home ownership
Money Magazine Australia

Paths to home ownership

Taking the road less travelled can sometimes deliver unexpected benefits.

time-read
5 mins  |
July 2024
Sold! Quick ways to add value
Money Magazine Australia

Sold! Quick ways to add value

Small, strategic changes can have a big impact on the look and feel of your home. And get you a better price on auction day.

time-read
5 mins  |
July 2024
Money lessons the kids need to know
Money Magazine Australia

Money lessons the kids need to know

Your children can learn a lot from your past money mishaps. Here are eight financial conversations I have had with mine.

time-read
4 mins  |
July 2024
Property-investing rules: are they likely to change?
Money Magazine Australia

Property-investing rules: are they likely to change?

The pressure for the government to curb the tax benefits of tax concessions, such as negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount, is unrelenting. Most recently, independent senators David Pocock and Jacqui Lambie proposed five options for paring back investment property tax concessions, with savings to the Federal budget of up to $60 billion over the next decade.

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2024
What's love got to do with it?
Money Magazine Australia

What's love got to do with it?

A rollercoaster of emotions could be driving poor crypto behaviour.

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2024
Are we ready to be cash-free?
Money Magazine Australia

Are we ready to be cash-free?

Saying goodbye to our piggy banks too soon could leave small businesses in the dark when problems arise.

time-read
2 mins  |
July 2024