Now that the coziness of the holiday season is about over, many of us might need an extra boost to our home’s heating system to keep out the winter chill – and fortunately, there are ways you can keep yourself from freezing without cranking up the heat (and the heating bill).

Here’s a look at some familiar (and not-so-familiar) tips on staying warm without touching the thermostat or busting your budget (adapted from WiseBread.com).

• Mend the cracks: Check your windows and doors for gaps and find ways to close the space between the warm inside air and the cold stuff outside. This might involve caulking, sealing windows, or simply tucking old towels or rugs into gaps. Keeping the hot air in and the cold air out can head off temperature problems before they start.
• Pad the floors: There’s a reason linoleum often feels cool and refreshing in the summer (and bitter cold in the winter): it has less insulation than carpeted floor. If you don’t feel like springing for wall-to-wall carpet, try spreading some rugs around and wearing slippers with thick soles. Both can keep the cold from getting to your chilly bones.
• Put on layers: This may sound obvious, but it is one of the most effective ways to keep yourself toasty in cooler temperatures. I suggest at least one body-hugging layer underneath whatever else you wear, and I am not above wearing hats in the house (who’s going to see me, after all?).
• Move your body: This one can work as a double- or triple-whammy. Nothing gets a person warm like some good old-fashioned exercise, which you can get from dancing, cleaning vigorously, running up and down stairs for a few minutes, or doing a couple jumping jacks. You only need a few minutes of exercise to get the blood pumping, and the movement should be good for keeping you focused on whatever else you’re doing, too.
• Choose your foods & drinks wisely: Tea, oatmeal, soup, coffee – all of these are cheap, quick ways to keep yourself warm from the inside out.
• Get cooking: Spending some time in the kitchen has a number of heat-boosting rewards: you’re in motion chopping and stirring, you get to spend time near the hot oven or stove, and you get to eat whatever warm and delicious creation you end up with. Plus, cooking food at home is a great way to save money, since takeout and restaurant food come at an extreme markup.
• Make a cave: If you’re spending time in primarily one room of your home, consider getting a space heater for that area and blocking it off from other rooms. This allows you to keep one area pleasantly warm without spending the kind of money it would take to keep the entire house that way.

Winter may seem like a desolate and chilly time, but it’s also a great time to experiment with clever ways to cut costs. And just think what a warm, fuzzy feeling you’ll get when you open your heating bills!

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