Bonus: things that will remain cheap this winter
The whole country is in turmoil, because my goodness, have you seen those energy prices?
What's going on? The demand for gas is greater than the supply, causing the price to rise to unprecedented heights. When the price of gas rises, electricity and heating automatically become quite expensive as well. No problem if you have a fixed price agreement, but there's trouble if you have a flexible rate or are at the end of your contract. Some households have to cough up an extra 100 euros per month. The government is helping us a bit by lowering the tax on energy. This should save about 400 euros annually. It doesn't look like the price will drop anytime soon, so we need to be creative.
What can you do yourself and what remains somewhat affordable this winter?
1. Warm yourself
This is one of the most heard pieces of advice. Turn your thermostat down a bit and put on an extra sweater. By lowering the temperature in your home a few degrees every few days, you easily get used to a slightly colder environment. Are you a real cold-baby? Then buy everything Alpaca, because that (responsibly produced, please) wool is bloody hot and lovely when you're shivering.
1. Relaxed Breton Stripe sweater, &Other Stories, €69,-, 2. Bente sweater, Zenggi, €200,-,
3. Alpaca Blend cardigan, Arket, €89,-
2. Warm each other
Nothing is as warm as the body of another, let's just say it. It's actually a hot water bottle of 37 degrees that you can warm yourself against. And you can do many more fun things with it if you want.
3. Go see the sun set in the sea
Costs nothing, the only thing you need to do is arrive on time. The moment when you just see that last ray of sun above the sea and you hold your breath until it has completely disappeared. It's free and for nothing, but it doesn't get more beautiful than this. This also applies to sunrise, by the way.
4. Off to the gym
I'm not saying it costs nothing, but you get quite warm from it and showering afterwards is indeed free. That's a saving.
5. Just go for a walk
It costs you little to nothing, you're moving, and in the right company, it's quite enjoyable too. Walking is the quarantine hobby we want to keep. The nice thing is that you have a walk for every mood, from a glühwalk through the city to mushroom hunting in the woods.
Finally, not entirely unimportant: reading Amayzine on the couch costs you not a cent. Except for your usual internet costs and – oh shit – the electric charging of your phone or laptop, of course.
