The holiday season may be over, but the chilly weather isn’t going anywhere for a while yet. If you’ve been spending nights in layers and shivering—even in your thickest pajamas and socks—your bedroom could probably work harder to keep you warm.

So grab your favorite hot drink and a blanket and get ready for a more comfortable night’s sleep. We spoke to heating experts, who are here to share exactly how to warm a bedroom in winter, with or without a heater.

Use Cozy Textiles

Having a nice warm cocoon to snuggle into at the end of the day is a must during the winter season, and by using one of George Crew’s favorite techniques, you can style, decorate and warm your bed at the same time.

“Layering textiles is one of the easiest ways to warm up a bedroom,” says Crew. “Adding a thick rug will feel great on your feet in the morning and help insulate the room as a whole. Cover the bed itself with cozy blankets and throws and create an irresistibly warm bed using flannels sheets, a woolen blanket or a plush duvet to keep your body warm.”

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Use heating pads and hot water bottles

Nothing is more inviting than a warm and cozy bed in winter, and you can make your sleeping space even cozier by turning up body heat. Textiles like flannel sheets work well, but personal heat sources can take winter warmth to the next level.

“A hot water bottle placed between you and your bed before you get between the sheets will create an enclosed area of ​​warmth that will stay with you for many hours,” says Crew. “Heating pads and electric blankets can also give you targeted warmth on those very cold nights.”

Hang thermal curtains

“If you haven’t already, you should hang floor-to-ceiling thermal curtains in your bedroom to create a barrier between the cold window and the room and prevent heat loss,” says Jon Gilbertson, president of Chris Heat & Cooling.

Thermal curtains can be very effective when paired with central heating or space heaters, but they should not be used in bedrooms where a radiator is placed directly under a window – the heat will end up trapped between the curtains and the window, keeping your radiator from heating the rest of the room.

Place space heaters wisely

Space heaters can be the most efficient way to heat a bedroom. So if you have one or are able to invest in one, it’s important to make sure you place your heater in a space that allows it to do its job as well as possible.

“A general rule of thumb is to place the space heater in the center of the room to ensure proper airflow and even heat distribution throughout the room,” says Gilbertson. “But if your bedroom is poorly insulated and you notice cold drafts near walls or electrical outlets, it’s best to install a heater nearby to prevent cold air from entering.”

Set the direction of the ceiling fan

It may seem counterintuitive to turn on a ceiling fan to warm a bedroom, but these devices don’t actually create a cold temperature—they simply circulate the air in the room, whether it’s warm or cool. HVAC expert Simon Benrath says that changing the direction of the fan when the weather gets colder can do wonders to spread the heat evenly throughout the space.

“Putting a ceiling fan on reverse can help circulate the air gently in the room and prevent the heat from just accumulating at the top of the room, making it warmer,” he says.

Use a humidifier

“Check the humidity in your bedroom and increase it if necessary,” says Gilbertson. “A room with dry air will feel about 3 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than a room with 45-50% humidity, even with thermostats set to the same temperature.”

According to Bernath, the perfect humidity level for a bedroom is between 30 and 45 percent, which can also help with warmth and overall comfort in the colder months.

“A humidifier will help you maintain ideal humidity levels, which can make a room feel more comfortable, especially since the air can sometimes be drier in the winter,” he says.

Isolate the room

“Think less about how to add heat and more about how to keep it in,” says Gilbertson. “A well-insulated bedroom doesn’t need much heating, and often not even a space heater.”

To prevent drafts on doors and windows, our experts recommend winterizing your windows, installing weatherstripping or plastic sheeting, and using door stops or draft guards.

As a free alternative, you can also roll up old towels and blankets on blankets to block any cracks along the windowsill and under your bedroom door.

Open (or close) the door

After implementing all these tips and techniques, you may be tempted to keep your bedroom door closed at night to ensure that the heat stays in your bedroom. But according to Benrath, an open door may actually be your best bet—depending on the heat source in your room.

“Keep the room door closed if you’re using a space heater and/or humidifier to keep the warm air in,” he says. “However, instead you’ll want to keep the door open at night if you’re relying on central heating,”

Navigating childcare options can be a headache, and that’s before you even get around to paying for everything. And, unfortunately, finding affordable childcare became even more complicated after that Child Care Stabilization ProgramOpens a new window expired, cutting $24 billion in funding for child care services across the country.

As a parent, you’re probably already aware of the daunting task of finding reliable and affordable childcare for your children. “The current state of child care costs can best be described as a silent crisis affecting working families across the country,” says Dennis Shirshikov, professor of finance, economics and accounting at the City University of New York.

Families using full-time childcare pay an average of $320 a week for one child — $16,686 a year, according to the BabyCenter study. These expenses drastically affect the financial goals of most families (84%), with more than half saying they cannot save (54%).

“Essentially, the struggle to afford quality childcare has led many parents to make difficult compromises, such as leaving the workforce, jeopardizing career growth, or accepting substandard care,” adds Shirshikov.

As discouraging as it may sound, there are many legitimate ways to save money on childcare, and there are more options for help and support. Experts share how to build a childcare budget and ways to save on childcare costs.

Strategies to save money on childcare

To save on childcare, you need to understand what options are out there, pool your resources and think creatively – experts share some tips:

Cooperative childcare arrangements

In a shared childcare arrangement, you and a group of parents rotate childcare responsibilities. This approach requires trust and camaraderie between parents, as well as top-notch scheduling. However, this does not work well for every business. “It does require a time commitment, but it can be a godsend for those with a flexible schedule,” says Shirshikov.

“I’ll occasionally watch my best friend’s kids while she’s at work, and then when I’m at work she’ll occasionally watch mine,” says one BabyCenter mom.

Nanny shares

Nanny or nanny shares are when two families share the same nanny, which usually results in a lower rate for each family. Crissi Cole, CEO and Founder Penny FinanceOpens a new windowshe says the role of nanny was invaluable to her when she needed to cut costs to afford childcare. By switching to a nanny from kindergarten, she realized her savings of 40%.

Remote work

If possible, discuss the idea of ​​remote or hybrid work with your employer. While the flexibility of telecommuting doesn’t replace the need for childcare, it can reduce the time and money you need to commute. In turn, this can reduce the amount you need to spend on childcare, as well as give your budget an extra cushion. Telecommuting is also useful when your kids are sick and daycare isn’t an option.

It takes a village and a lot of brains to figure out childcare.

– Crissi Cole, CEO and Founder of Penny Finance

One BabyCenter mom says, “I work from home and two days of my work schedule I will keep the kids at home and use part-time childcare instead of full-time.”

Family help

Not everyone has the possibility of family assistance, and not all family members are available to help. But even a few hours of extended family help can reduce your childcare costs—plus, it’s an opportunity to bond and make memories.

“We have my sister watch (my daughter) instead of our previous daycare and we pay her about half of our previous costs,” says one BabyCenter mom.

Another BabyCenter mom says, “Right now, we use grandparent childcare, but they still have appointments, get sick, and have their own lives. We mostly do, but when we have problems, it also puts a strain on the personal relationship.”

Dependent’s Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

“A dependent care FSAOpens a new window allows parents to set aside pre-tax dollars to cover eligible childcare costs for children under 13, such as day care, summer day camps and after-school programs,” says Ellis. You can contribute up to $5,000 per calendar year, reducing your taxable income, which reduces your overall tax liability.

Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit

Parents with children under the age of 13 may be entitled to tax relief for childcare costs. “Child and Dependent Care Tax CreditOpens a new window can get you up to 35% of qualifying expenses up to $3,000 for one child or up to $6,000 for two or more children,” explains Shirshikov.

State aid programs

There are several government income-based assistance programs that aim to help families afford childcare. This includes programs like Head StartOpens a new window and state-funded subsidies. “To take advantage of these benefits, visit your state’s child care assistance website or contact your local social services office for application guidelines,” recommends Ellis.

Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

It’s always a good idea to check with your employer or human resources department to find out what childcare assistance options are available there. Many companies offer childcare subsidies or partnerships with local childcare providers at discounted prices, says Shirshikov. “I’ve seen some companies even offer on-site childcare facilities,” he says.

One BabyCenter mom takes advantage of this benefit, sharing, “My company offers 30 days of back-up care, which includes daycare and home care. The babysitters are great.”

In addition to the nanny share, Cole says she used a combination of tools to keep childcare costs down, including working from home, family help and student babysitters, who charged significantly lower rates than daycares.

“No matter what, it takes a village and a lot of brain power to figure out childcare,” says Cole. “In most cases, just being aware of your finances and day-to-day expenses helps you naturally find ways to fund childcare and childcare.”