Save money this Canberra winter. Image: Lightbulb for Visit Canberra
06 May 2025
In brief:
- This article lists ways to save money this winter.
- There are free and low-cost ways to keep entertained in winter.
- This article provides tips to reduce energy bills in winter.
Winter is a great excuse to stay indoors and enjoy time at home. However, this can also make your bills go up.
Here are some tips to help you enjoy the colder months while saving money.
Use free streaming services
Save money this winter with Libraries ACT’s free streaming services.
Library members have access to:
- Beamafilm – a streaming platform for movie lovers
- BeamaKids+ - movies and shows for kids
- Kanopy – a streaming service with over 45,000 films and TV series
- Kanopy Kids – educational and entertaining movies and shows for kids
- Story Box Library – a growing collection of videos with stories read aloud by favourite storytellers.
You will get eight movies or episodes a month. This includes international cinema and Australasian stories.
See how else your membership can keep you entertained this winter.
Find great local food deals
Winter is a great time to stay at home on the couch, but we all need to get out and about sometimes! Save money when dining out and find some local meal deals.
See our guide to eating out for less in Canberra.
Save money on books
Cuddling up on the lounge with a good book and a cup of tea is one of the best things about winter.
If you have a long list of books to get through, why not become a Libraries ACT member and borrow them for free? You can even borrow eBooks and audiobooks.
Visit the Libraries ACT website for more info.
Move more, spend less
Stop using expensive gyms this winter and try some free and low-cost ways to increase your activity levels.
Ten free or low-cost ways to get active in Canberra.
Declutter your house for free
The cooler months can be a great opportunity to declutter the house.
If you find household items you no longer want, use some of the free waste disposal options in Canberra.
Enjoy Canberra’s free activities
Winter doesn’t mean you need to hide away in your house, enjoy a free activity like trivia. Check out one of these free trivia spots.
If the kids are going wild inside, find a budget-friendly activity to keep them busy.
Take free public transport on Fridays
If you swap the couch for the city this winter, take advantage of fare free Fridays!
Every Friday, Canberrans can travel for free on our buses and light rail.
Remember you will still need to tap on and off each service to support data collection, but you will not be charged for the fare.
Smart shopping
If you’re spending more time at home in the cooler months, you may be more likely to online shop.
If you’re buying a service or product online, there are some things to remember to help avoid shopping disappointment.
- do your research
- know who you’re buying from
- check delivery timeframes
- be cautious with overseas websites
- understand your rights.
More information on these tips here.
Grow your own veggies
If you’re looking for a new hobby at home, why not start a veggie patch? This can be rewarding and save you money.
If you’re not sure where to start, we’ve got some great tips from Fiona Buining of Ainslie Urban Farm.
Learn how to grow veggies at home.
Get the most out of your heating system
With more time at home in the colder months, you might be tempted to have the heater on full blast, but this can add up.
Get the most out of your heating system by:
- setting your thermostat between 18 - 21 degrees
- only heating rooms you’re using by closing doors and windows
- turning the heater off if you go out and setting a timer for when you get home
- throwing on an extra layer or heated throw, or using a hot water bottle or wheat pack, before turning up the heat.
Find more energy saving tips and advice here.
Renting? Get free advice on how to save money on bills
Renters can get a free home visit with the Renters’ Home Energy Program. Experts will give advice on how to save money on energy bills.
During the visit, the energy expert will:
- review how your home uses energy
- show you quick, cheap, and effective ways to cut energy bills
- give you a free heated throw rug or cooling towel (limited time only)
- give you a personalised plan with low or no-cost ways to save on energy.
Book a home energy visit today.
Save money upgrading appliances
Jump online and get expert advice on your next electric appliance for free.
The ACT Government and consumer advocacy group, CHOICE, have created the Make Your Next Choice Electric online tool that gives Canberrans:
- free access to CHOICE recommended products
- an estimate on how much you could save by going electric.
The tool helps Canberra households to create their own energy transition plan and switch off gas.
Find out more about switching to electric.
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