How a cozy winter spent hibernating reset my money habits
A quiet winter helped me save, get crafty with my space, and dip my toes into investing for the first time.
4 min read
When winter really sets in, and every hello somehow turns into a conversation about how cold it’s gotten, you know it’s hibernation season. Last year, I decided to fully lean into it and embrace the coziness of staying in. I figured out how to make my space work for me, made some micro shifts in how I approach my money, and surprisingly, I ended up saving more than I expected.
From socks to sinks – my winter repair marathon
As the days got shorter and I found myself spending much more time indoors, I started noticing the small flaws in my environment, the kind of things you ignore during all the other seasons but apparently can’t unsee when you’re home 24/7. It started with a sock with a tiny hole, which I dutifully darned. Then I progressed to a jumper with a loose seam. One project led to another, and soon enough, I was tackling all kinds of repairs around the house, including my leaky kitchen faucet, which I’d been trying very hard to ignore for years.I even briefly ventured into DIY insulation, layering bubble wrap over certain drafty windows, but my cats’ curious claws made quick work of that, so I drew the line there. But in general, each little fix felt like a win, not just for my wallet but for my general sanity. Repairing things around my home became a hands-on way to make my space feel a bit fresher without spending a euro.
From small repairs to a €250 living room glow-up
As fixing things around the house turned out to be surprisingly satisfying, I began to see my living room with a fresh pair of eyes, acknowledging it could use some TLC. After spending countless hours on Pinterest, creating an unnecessary amount of mood boards, I checked my accounts and worked out I had a budget of around €250 to spend on improving the space.Working with a budget forced me to be intentional about every choice. I started with the paint for a statement wall and chose a deep green, one of only a handful of hues that could pair with my pink sofa. I honestly couldn’t believe how much of a difference adding some color to my otherwise entirely white-walled apartment made. It transformed the room. Next, I picked up a secondhand coffee table and a vintage lamp on eBay and a friend gifted me a rug she was giving away. Suddenly, I had a living room that felt inviting, warm, and all well within budget!
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Wine, trash TV, and investing 101 at a “room reveal”
With the darker nights setting in early, my social life naturally became quieter during this time, and quieter meant cheaper. Instead of meeting friends at a bar or restaurant, we spent more time hanging out in each other’s living rooms. I even threw a little “room reveal” party to celebrate the finished living room makeover, which is possibly one of the most ‘mid-30s’ things I’ve ever done. Accordingly, it was the opposite of wild, some snacks, a couple of bottles of wine, and the season finale of yet another series of Love is Blind. Perfection.At that tame room reveal party, one of my friends casually mentioned she’d started investing, which came as a surprise to most of us. But between episodes of trash TV, she gave a quick rundown of the investing basics, making the whole topic much less daunting. I hadn’t really thought about it before, it always seemed like something for “future me” to deal with. But hearing her talk about it made it sound doable. Or perhaps it was the fact that I was deep in hibernation season, with its themes of nesting and storing up for the future, that put me in the right mindset. Or perhaps it was the wine.
From cozy nights to cautious investments
Reflecting on what my friend had told me, I thought about all the money I’d saved by focusing on building up my ‘nest’ that winter. It wasn’t a huge amount, but it was enough to dip my toes into a couple of investments. I wasn’t expecting my money to skyrocket, but I did like the feeling of taking a step towards a more financially secure future.Winter may have whispered to me to slow down, but it also nudged me to think about longevity in a way I hadn’t before. Those little investments, both in my home and in my financial future, became the beginnings of a more mindful way of living. In the end, my winter of hibernation wasn’t just about saving money, it was about redefining what comfort and contentment looked like for me. Sometimes, a quiet season can teach you a lot, not just about saving money, but about enjoying the life you already have, one cozy evening of reality TV at a time.
Winter hibernation, year-round savings with N26 Spaces
Hibernation season highlights the power of small, intentional changes to spending habits. With N26’s Spaces, you can create savings sub-accounts for everything from home renovation projects to furniture wishlists, keeping your goals clear and organized. Spaces makes it easy to save with purpose, helping you reach your financial goals—no matter the season.
