10 Life Hacks to Help You Get Through Winter

Don't get me wrong, I love winter time...but it's not the most convenient season. Use these winter hacks to help you get through those tough winter times. Sometimes you spend the first 10 minutes of your morning freezing off your rear while scraping off your windshield. Other days, your tires keep spinning in the snow, but you're not going anywhere. And then there's my personal favorite - a super high electric bill because your windows are drafty AF.

Well, fear not. I have complied some winter hacks that will help all of these awful situation and some. Check 'em out.

1. If you're like me, sometimes you forget that you have a wonderful garage to pull into at night...or maybe it's not always convenient. If you just don't have a garage, or don't typically park in yours, you can mix 3 parts vinegar with 1 part water and spritz your windshield at night. This will prevent ice from forming.

2. If your tires get stuck in the snow, use some kitty litter to get some traction. Stick a box of litter in your truck just in case. You can use the lightweight kind too, so you aren't hauling around too much extra weight.

3. Or, you can use your own floor mats. I don't recommend doing this if you're worried about keeping your floor mats nice, but you can use them to help gain traction if you get stuck.

4. Use an electric blanket! This is my saving grace in the winter. They use very little energy, so turn down the thermostat a couple degrees and cuddle up with a heated blanket.

5. Take short showers. Trust me on this one. I know how tempting it is to stay in the nice, warm shower when it's freezing outside, but it really dries your skin out. The shorter the shower, the better for your skin. Also, be sure to moisturize (I use Cetaphil aloe for sensitive skin) TWICE A DAY!

6. Get a humidifier. Again, trust me on this one. The winter air is so dry and harsh. Using a humidifier throughout the day really does make a huge difference, especially if you're experience some winter cold symptoms.

7. Spray your shovels. Yep, you read that right. If you spray your snow shovel with some cooking oil before using it, snow won't get piled up on it. This makes shoveling a much easier task.

8. Start your gardening now! I know it sounds silly to start gardening in the winter, but I had success last year. I got a Miracle Grow herb garden as a gift for my birthday and used it throughout the winter to grow anything from thyme to basil. I moved the plants outside in the spring and most of them survived.

9. Invest in some thick curtains. I learned this lesson right after moving out on my own. Curtains are so worth it! Not only can I sleep in a tad longer, they help insulate the house. The thicker, the better.

10. Have a walkway/sidewalk you use frequently? Mix up 1 teaspoon liquid dish soap, 1 tablespoon rubbing alcohol, and 1/2 to 1 gallon of water over the area so they don't refreeze.

Use at least one of these tips and I promise you'll benefit. Stay warm and safe out there!