Follow our tips for saving money on groceries, fuel, and energy, and find out how home and car maintenance can help you reduce future costs.
Shopping
4. Break up the winter routine with an affordable meal out
Household expenses
11 affordable ways to treat yourself this winter
From movie nights and winter dining to day trips, staycations and cosy home comforts, here are 11 simple ways to enjoy the colder months without overspending.
Winter can be an expensive time of year. Heating bills rise, school holidays add pressure to family budgets, and while there’s the temptation to hibernate at home, simple winter treats can help make the season easier to enjoy.
It might be a discounted movie night, a cosy café catch-up, a short drive somewhere new, or one small change that makes your home feel cosy.
Use these ideas as a starting point, then explore related RACV News & Lifestyle guides on school holidays, Melbourne day trips, regional escapes, home comfort and travel planning for more inspiration.
RACV Members can access offers across travel, entertainment, attractions, shopping, fuel and dining, with more than 3000 discounts available through the RACV App.
Popcorn, choc-tops, recliner seats and the immersive experience are all reasons to see the latest movie at a cinema.
Winter treats if you're on a budget
1. Make movie night feel like an event
The trick is to make the cinema feel like the main event, not just something to fill a wet afternoon. Pick a film that's worth seeing on the big screen, then make time for dessert afterwards so the outing feels special. If you want to stretch the idea further, seasonal guides to musicals and sporting events can help you plan what to see next.
RACV Members can save on movie tickets at participating cinemas via the RACV App.
A discounted eGift card via the RACV App is one way for RACV Members to purchase new creature comforts like throw rugs and cushions.
2. Refresh your home comforts
Small changes at home can make a cold week feel more manageable. If the living room is where everyone ends up at night, focus on making that space warmer and more comfortable. For practical winter issues, home and energy-efficiency guides can help with topics such as condensation and heating costs.
If you are already buying home or lifestyle essentials, check whether selected shopping or eGift card offers via the RACV App could reduce the cost.
More: How to keep warm this winter and save money on heating bills
Save on fuel via the RACV App and slurge on a small treat that makes winter feel warmer.
3. Save on everyday essentials, then spend the difference on something enjoyable
Sometimes the easiest way to afford a treat is to make everyday spending work harder. If you're already filling the car or buying groceries, check whether there is a saving available and put the difference towards a small winter reward later in the week.
Money-saving and household guides can offer more practical ways to reduce everyday costs, while RACV Members can check whether eGift card or fuel offers match purchases they already plan to make.
Flinders Street Station is close to lots of dining deals via the RACV App.
4. Break up the winter routine with an affordable meal out
Winter is made for warm meals and proper catch-ups. Instead of waiting for a birthday or anniversary, turn one ordinary weeknight into a small social ritual: meet a friend straight after work, settle in somewhere cosy, and let good company be the reason you leave the house.
RACV Members can save on cafés and restaurants across Victoria with dining offers in the RACV App.
Break up winter with a One Spa treatment or thermal bathing session at RACV Cape Schanck Resort.
5. Warm up with a wellness experience
A wellness experience is less about getting out and more about deliberately slowing down. A quiet spa afternoon or thermal bathing session can create a sense of reset without needing a full holiday. For a bigger treat, pair the experience with an overnight stay. Mornington Peninsula and Daylesford are renowned for their wellness offerings.
RACV Members save on One Spa treatments at RACV Resorts and Peninsula Hot Springs.
More: Where to find the best natural hot springs in Victoria
RACV Members can book and save on SEA LIFE Aquarium via the RACV App.
6. Plan a low-cost indoor family day
For families, the best winter plans are often the ones that do not depend on the weather. On a rainy Saturday, choose a warm indoor attraction, keep the travel time to less than an hour and include a simple snack stop so the day feels relaxed rather than over-scheduled.
RACV Members can book and save on SEA LIFE Aquarium, LEGOLAND Discovery Centre and Melbourne Skydeck via the RACV App.
Escape to regional Victoria and warm up with brisk walks and hot meals.
7. Book a cosy short break close to home
A short break is the option for when you want to properly switch off. If you're Melbourne-based, there are plenty of regional towns less than two hours away: Ballarat, Bendigo, Creswick, Macedon, Healesville, Nagambie, Geelong and Queenscliff, to name a few. A slow dinner, a quiet morning and the feeling of waking up somewhere different may be all you need to feel refreshed.
Regional travel guides can help you choose a destination that suits the kind of reset you want, from a coastal overnight stay to a quiet country weekend, and work out whether an RACV Resort stay fits the plan.
More: How to have the best holiday at a Victorian resort
One of Victoria's tallest waterfalls, Steavenson Falls in Marysville, is spectacular in winter. Image: Visit Victoria
8. Visit a national park, botanic garden or waterfall
Winter can be one of the best times to immerse yourself in nature without having to contend with summer crowds (and snakes). A crisp walk through a botanic garden, a quiet national park trail or a waterfall after rain can offer a genuine change of pace.
Check the forecast, including the Parks Victoria website and VicEmergency app for flood warnings, choose a location and leave time for a warm drink afterwards. Even a short walk can help break up a day indoors and give you get access to fresh air and natural light.
Try a popular cafe in a regional town, such as Coffee Collective near RACV Inverloch Resort. Image: Matt Harvey
9. Make a winter day trip more affordable
A day trip from Melbourne to the Mornington Peninsula, Yarra Valley or South Gippsland means you get a change of scenery without worrying about paying for accommodation.
Give the day one simple purpose, such as driving to a town known for a great bakery or chocolate experience, or timing the trip around a short walk with dramatic views. Keeping the plan focused can help avoid the cost and fatigue of trying to do too much.
Before a longer drive, RACV Members can check whether fuel, car hire, campervan hire, or travel offers are relevant to the trip they already have in mind.
More: Best underrated and hidden places to visit in Victoria
Use the RACV App to find a nearby dining deal for a fun family outing. Image: Getty
10. Try a new local café in Melbourne
Want a treat that hits the spot without having to travel far? Pick a suburb you rarely visit, book a casual lunch and leave time for a short wander afterwards. If your budget is tight, indulge yourself with a hot chocolate and a good book from your local library in a cosy café.
Families can make it fun by choosing a café near one of the best playgrounds in Melbourne, or combining the outing with one of the best historical experiences in Melbourne.
Check the RACV App for nearby café and restaurant dining offers.
RACV Members save on attractions like LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Melbourne. Image: Visit Victoria
11. Make weekend activities less expensive
A simple way to make weekend activities affordable is to choose one paid outing as the main event, then build the rest of the day around low-cost extras.
For example, book discounted cinema or attraction tickets for the morning, pack snacks or lunch, and finish somewhere that regularly has free family-friendly programming, such as State Library Victoria and local libraries, cultural institutions such as NGV, Heide Museum of Modern Art and Koorie Heritage Trust, Melbourne Museum or council-run events.
School holiday guides can help families find timely ideas for Melbourne and regional Victoria.
However you choose to treat yourself, check current terms, conditions, availability and booking requirements before purchasing. With a little planning, one well-timed winter treat can make the season feel more enjoyable while keeping value front of mind.
The best ways to save money in Australia
Household expenses
- Best and easy ways to save money
- Easy budget-friendly recipes and meals
- How to save money on your laundry bills
Cars
Fuel
Power
- How to reduce your energy bills
- How to save money on heating
- Solar rebates and discounts available in Australia
