MoneyMagpie Editor and financial expert Vicky Parry shares how to lean into cosy season without costly heating bills
Some people are summer people. Others are Christmas people.
But there’s a huge swathe of us who are autumn people. We lean into the cosiness of autumn, the crispness in the air, the turning of the leaves.
Here’s how to introduce some hygge to keep cosy this autumn – while also saving money by not putting on the heating just yet.
Layer up
Transitioning seasons can be confusing for our wardrobe choices. But several lighter layers are always a much better option at this time of year than suddenly cracking out the woolly jumpers. Thin, light layers trap more air to keep warm, while allowing you to remove them if you begin to overheat in the middle of the day.
Layers are also important when you’re hanging out at home in the evenings, or if you work from home during the day. Instead of reaching for the heater as the chilly night draws in, pick a gorgeous blanket that makes you smile as well as keeps you warm.
For long-lasting heat in natural fibres, look at the range by Wool Room, or choose a sherpa-lined throw for the sofa from Night Lark to snuggle down in front of Netflix.
Run a bath
Just as water is great at quickly cooling us down on sweaty summer days, a warm bath is perfect for raising your temperature and helping you keep toasty – especially if you pop your clothes or pyjamas in the airing cupboard to warm up while you soak.
Make the most of it with an autumnal smelling bubble bath or use a scrub like the Pumpkin Spice Latte Scrub by the Organic Shop to feel even more cosy.
Enjoy a hot drink
Sometimes, something as simple as warming yourself from the inside out makes a difference! Take time out to make a delicious tea or coffee, for a mindful moment while you heat yourself up.
Choose from a herbal tea like the cosy Apple Pie Tea offering (made even cuter by the Hello Kitty collaboration) from Bird and Blend, or warm up with a Cinnamon Roll Latte from Tassimo.
Want something really indulgent? You can’t beat a proper hot chocolate: try the chocolate beads from Cocoa Canopy for something that doubles as a sweet snack, topped with marshmallows and cream for ultimate indulgence.
Light some candles
Super hygge style, candles are the ultimate in cosy living. They deliver wonderful scents to your home with an ambient light perfect for days that get dark earlier.
Choose from a long-lasting jar candle with a wooden wick for some indulgent wood-crackling sounds alongside the scents, such as Woodwick Candles. Or, pick out a few of your favourite tapered candles to add some cosy romance to your dinner table.
You can even use tealights to add some heat to the room using a terracotta candle heater. This is a brilliant way of heating up a small space without turning the central heating on.
Cosy feet
Putting on some super-thick fleece-lined socks will keep you warm and toasty even on hard floors. But if you’re not a sock loving person, consider some fleece-lined slippers instead to potter around in.
The Fireside slippers by Heavenly Feet are under £17 and are perfect for cosy nights in, or try a more complete shoe-type slipper like the moccasins available from Next.
Knit a blanket
Start a new hobby perfect for the cooler months: knitting. While it’s easy to buy a blanket from the high street or specialist stores, there are few things more satisfying than making your own.
Even if you’ve never knitted or crocheted before, there are plenty of beginner kits out there to keep you entertained in true hygge style. And, as the blanket grows while you knit, you stay warm underneath it! Try kits from Hobbycraft, Wool and the Gang, or We Are Knitters.
If you can’t find the coordination for knitting and crochet, perhaps quilting is more your thing. Kits from online hobby shops like Lovecrafts will give you a great starting point and you’ll end up with a quilt you’ll use for years and years.
Cook a delicious stew
Stews and casseroles are really suited to the ‘ber months. They’re hearty, filling, and often lower in calories than other options, too. Many are easy one-pot meals, and you can also make much more than you need to meal prep and freeze ahead to have dinner ready on hand on nights that you don’t feel like cooking.
Soups are also really filling and warming, perfect for chillier lunchtimes or after your evening dog walk. If you find that you really enjoy making them, you can speed up the process with a soup maker.
Or, choose a slow cooker which multitasks – especially if you also love making stews and curries. Pop ingredients in first thing, leave to cook through the day, and have a ready-made delicious dinner when you’re home in the evening.
Saving money isn’t about saving on luxuries. Finding ways to enjoy the cosy season while saving cash on your energy bills is a great way to stick to a tight budget without losing out on joy!
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